Shanghai Opens China’s Largest Library After 5 Years of Construction

Immediately next to the largest park in Shanghai’s Pudong district, the 115,000-square-meter Shanghai Library East is a new civic landmark and cultural destination.

Designed by Danish architectural firm Schmidt Hammer Lassen, with offices in Copenhagen, Aarhus, and Shanghai, the building took inspiration from traditional Chinese gardens.

The new library houses around 4.8 million books, and approximately 80% of the building’s space is reserved for community activities.

According to its official website, Shanghai East Library will host more than 1,200 lectures, seminars, performances, events, and hands-on activities for upwards of 4 million visitors annually.

The library is now open to the public. Click the icon below to get inspired by more architecture in China or works by Chinese architects.