Shanghai Library

上海图书馆

Shanghai Library is a research-oriented public library. Founded in July 1952, the library was originally located at 325 Nanjing West Road and later relocated to 1555 Huaihai Middle Road. On December 20, 1996, the new Shanghai Library officially opened to the public, becoming a large, comprehensive research-oriented public library and one of the top ten libraries in China.

Attractions Location: No. 1555, Huaihai Middle Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai

Opening hours:
13:30-20:30 (January 1-December 31, Monday)
09:00-20:30 (January 1-December 31, Tuesday-Sunday)

Transportation:
Take Metro Line 10 and get off at Shanghai Library Station, which is within walking distance.

Time reference: 1-3 hours


Recommended itinerary for Shanghai Library tours

1-Day Itinerary: Shanghai Library and Nearby Jing’an District

Start your day exploring the impressive Shanghai Library, one of Asia’s largest, followed by a visit to the vibrant Jing’an district nearby for culture, shopping, and dining.

  • Morning: Visit Shanghai Library (Metro Line 2 or 10 to Shanghai Library Station, Exit 1, just a short walk).
  • Afternoon: Walk or take a short taxi ride (~10 min) to Jing’an Temple (Metro Line 2 or 7, Jing’an Temple Station), explore the temple and surrounding shopping streets.
  • Evening: Dine in Jing’an District—try local Shanghainese or international cuisine.

Accommodation & Food: Stay near Jing’an or Xujiahui for convenience. Restaurants range from street food to upscale dining.

Souvenirs: Library-themed stationery, cultural crafts, Jing’an temple souvenirs.


2-Day Itinerary: Library, Jing’an Temple, and Former French Concession

Explore Shanghai Library and Jing’an Temple, then spend a day wandering the charming Former French Concession area with its tree-lined streets and boutique shops.

  • Day 1: Follow the 1-day itinerary.
  • Day 2 Morning: Visit the Former French Concession (Metro Line 1 or 10 to South Shaanxi Road Station), explore Tianzifang and Xintiandi neighborhoods (taxi or Metro Line 9 from Jing’an to Dapuqiao Station).
  • Day 2 Afternoon: Relax in Fuxing Park within the French Concession area.
  • Day 2 Evening: Enjoy dinner in the French Concession’s many trendy restaurants or cafes.

Transport: Metro Lines 1, 2, 7, 9, 10; taxis.

Accommodation & Food: Stay in Jing’an or French Concession areas.

Souvenirs: Boutique crafts, local snacks, café merchandise.


3-Day Itinerary: Library, Cultural Museums, and The Bund

Combine a visit to Shanghai Library with cultural institutions and the iconic waterfront Bund area for a deep dive into Shanghai’s history and vibrant urban life.

  • Days 1-2: Follow the 2-day itinerary.
  • Day 3 Morning: Visit Shanghai Museum and Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center at People’s Square (Metro Line 2 or 8, about 10-15 min from Jing’an).
  • Day 3 Afternoon: Head to The Bund (Metro Line 2 to East Nanjing Road Station, approx. 15 min), walk along the riverfront, and explore historic architecture.
  • Day 3 Evening: Have dinner with a view of the Huangpu River.

Transport: Metro Lines 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 10; walking.

Accommodation & Food: Stay near Jing’an, People’s Square, or the Bund area.

Souvenirs: Museum gifts, Bund-themed souvenirs, local delicacies.


4-Day Itinerary: Library, Parks, Art, and Shopping

Explore green spaces and contemporary art along with the city’s shopping hotspots.

  • Days 1-3: Follow the 3-day itinerary.
  • Day 4 Morning: Visit People’s Park near People’s Square (Metro Line 1, 2, or 8).
  • Day 4 Afternoon: Explore Power Station of Art (Metro Line 12 to East Xizang Road Station, approx. 30 min) and shopping at Nanjing Road.

Transport: Metro Lines 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12; taxis.

Accommodation & Food: Stay near Jing’an or People’s Square for easy access to transit and dining.

Souvenirs: Art prints, books, park-themed crafts.


5-Day Itinerary: Library, Historical Sites, and Leisure

Expand your visit with historical temples, gardens, and leisure spots.

  • Days 1-4: Follow the 4-day itinerary.
  • Day 5 Morning: Visit Jade Buddha Temple (Metro Line 7 or 13, Jing’an Temple Station, 20 minutes from Jing’an).
  • Day 5 Afternoon: Relax at Jing’an Sculpture Park and nearby shopping streets.

Transport: Metro Lines 1, 2, 7, 13; taxis.

Accommodation & Food: Stay in Jing’an or nearby Xujiahui district.

Souvenirs: Temple crafts, local art, university and library souvenirs.


6-Day Itinerary: Comprehensive Cultural Exploration

Delve deeply into Shanghai’s cultural, historical, and urban highlights.

  • Days 1-5: Follow the 5-day itinerary.
  • Day 6 Morning: Visit Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center (Metro Line 1 or 2 to People’s Square).
  • Day 6 Afternoon: Visit Shanghai Grand Theatre or catch a show in the evening (near People’s Square).

Transport: Metro Lines 1, 2, 7, 8; walking.

Accommodation & Food: Stay near Jing’an, People’s Square, or the Bund.

Souvenirs: Theatre merchandise, urban planning models, cultural books.


7-Day Itinerary: Ultimate Shanghai Experience with Library Hub

Enjoy a full week experiencing Shanghai’s library culture, historic landmarks, shopping, parks, and dining.

  • Days 1-6: Follow the 6-day itinerary.
  • Day 7 Morning: Visit Shanghai History Museum (Metro Line 1 or 2 to People’s Square).
  • Day 7 Afternoon: Take a final stroll through People’s Park or Jing’an District.
  • Day 7 Evening: Farewell dinner in Jing’an or near the library.

Transport: Metro Lines 1, 2, 7, 8; taxis.

Accommodation & Food: Stay in Jing’an or People’s Square areas. Try classic Shanghainese and international dishes.

Souvenirs: Books, library stationery, local crafts, cultural mementos.


User Reviews

By Little Pig Man |

I like the library very much, there are many memories there.

By Jiayu |

I am a young man who loves reading and learning. I go there often.

By DrZou |

If you come to Shangtu to read books on weekends, you must arrive early. If you are late, there will be no seats. There are a wide variety of books. It is a very quiet place.

By battlebird |

Going here is not to see the scenery, but to read books! !

By LING |

I want to ask if I can borrow it to read. The number of words is not enough, so ignore it later.

By silver |

The Shanghai Library has a vast collection of books. Many of them are very specialized. They also hold regular special events. It's a wonderful place to read.

By Anakin |

I used to come back here when I borrowed books. It was mainly for functionality, so I could skip it if I was traveling.

By Black Horse |

This was my first time visiting an exhibition at the Shanghai Library, and it was a wonderful experience.

By China-TravelNote users |

If you come here on weekends, you can sit in the library and read for half a day. There are often book signings and sales in the lobby.

By raorao |

I passed by her on my way to the subway from Wukang Road and didn't have time to look at her carefully.

By Chen Weimianlulu |

This time I came to Shanghai to recharge my batteries. My training was scheduled for the Shanghai Library. From Changzhou, I took the high-speed rail and then the subway.

By Big Bad Wolf |

This is the new museum on Huaihai Road. There is also a new museum in Pudong. If you have time, come and sit down, drink coffee and smell the fragrance of books.

By What is this |

It is true that it does not look as grand as it used to be due to its age, but it is a quiet spot on Hengshan Road.

By Mars User |

It is on Huaihai Middle Road, just get off at Shanghai Museum Station on Metro Line 10. The inscription is already mottled, but why should we care about appearance in such a place of literature?

By jalinyu |

I have my say on this one; it's close to home. I've been going there for 20 years, from my youth to my adulthood. The hardware and loan system are excellent and efficient. The collection is large, the variety is rich, and new books arrive quickly. My only complaint is the low quality of the readers, their lack of compliance with the rules, and the lack of management on the part of the library staff.

By Hu Tu Tu sleeping |

It is worth a visit, with convenient transportation and rich collections. It is next to Huaihai Road and has a nice view.

By Miss--M |

Every time I have an exam, I must go to the Shanghai Library every week. Whether it is the building itself or the location, the Shanghai Library is worth a visit.

By seer0420 |

The worst city public library I've ever been to, bar none

By Jenny |

Once you select the books you want to borrow online, a request list is automatically generated. You'll receive a text message on your phone confirming the book's arrival at the service desk, making borrowing books incredibly convenient. The library boasts a rich collection, and I even selected books related to the upcoming "British 100" exhibition. Transportation is convenient: just exit 1 of the Library Station on Line 10. We offer general borrowing, and Shanghai residents are exempt from the 100 yuan deposit (assuming good credit). We also offer many occasional events.

By Yan Shi Ming Yue |

I went there once. There was an art exhibition on the first floor, which was pretty good. There were too many books upstairs. You can take books out of the library with you for 100 yuan, but you have to return them within the specified period.

By Xiaomanke |

It's very big, has a lot of books, and is a place worth visiting.

By make a sightseeing tour |

The Shanghai Library was founded in 1952 and merged with the Shanghai Institute of Scientific and Technical Information in 1995. It moved to 1555 Huaihai Middle Road and opened to the public in 1996. Its collection includes over 55 million books and Chinese and foreign documents. The original Shanghai Library was located at 325 Nanjing West Road, next to People's Park. The old building on Nanjing West Road is a Western-style building built in 1933. Before liberation, it housed the Jockey Club and is now the Shanghai History Museum (formerly the Shanghai Art Museum).

By Hit a little fat chicken |

It's very average. Unlike the Pudong Library, you can't go into the Shanghai Library to read books without a library card, and the environment is not very good. It doesn't give me a good impression as the Pudong Library.

By Zi |

The library is great, but it's hard to find a seat.

By Qingqing |

[Refuse to Stay at Home 8] Books can be borrowed through various means, including regular borrowing, reference borrowing, and reference reading. Regular borrowing doesn't require a deposit, but the books available aren't very good. Reference borrowing requires a 1,000 yuan deposit, otherwise it's only for reference reading, and the books must be returned by 5 p.m. The borrowing method is quite advanced. After submitting a request, a machine picks up the book, and you can pick it up directly at the counter. The restaurant in the picture above is decent and affordable. The bookstore has a nice environment and some interesting comic books. A seat costs 10 yuan, and you get unlimited refills.

By Meebo |

The picture above is a good place, quiet, with good service, and of course, there are generally enough books for you to read.

By Yang Chenfu |

I spent more than two hours in the picture above in the morning and felt the full cultural atmosphere.

By Little White Mushroom |

I think the picture above is quite comprehensive. I've studied there before; the tables are large and easy to work on. Sometimes there are small art exhibitions on the ground floor, and the atmosphere is quite rich in knowledge.

By Butter Teacher |

There are many seats inside and a very complete collection of books. You need to apply for a library card to enter.

By Jennifer |

Shanghai is my favorite city! It is an ocean of knowledge! Maybe it is because Jiaotong University is also here, and it is the intersection of Xuhui and Changning, and it is the corner of Shanghai dialect, so people are very greedy! I like it

By laurie |

The picture above is really big. There are sometimes exhibitions inside. If you happen to see something interesting, you can go in and visit it.

By Qilili |

I like this place very much, it is very quiet, I like this kind of road, this kind of trees, everything is just right

By W girl |

The picture above, I never thought that it would accompany me for almost the entire postgraduate period. It is really a mixed feeling.

By fromlaojia339 |

The Shanghai Library has a large collection of books, but borrowing books is a bit troublesome, and the key is that it is difficult to apply for a library card.

By Shorter name |

The Shanghai Library, located in the city center, has a rich collection of books and a comprehensive website. You can check the library's collection and daily activities on the official website.

By |

Sometimes I go to read books on weekends, but I feel it is not as good as the Pudong Library, so I rarely go there.

By mickey yu |

I like this place, it's big, has a great atmosphere, and there are a lot of books.

By Yearning |

It's worth a visit for friends who like reading.

By Happy Chen Xiaochong |

If the school library doesn't have some books, I will come to the Shanghai Library to borrow them. I need to apply for a card worth 1,000 yuan, and I can return it with the invoice when I don't need it.

By ~Leaf 🍃Bodhi |

It has been built for a long time, and Shanghai needs a library like this.

By EvaYun2012 |

Outsiders are not allowed to enter. But the environment is very good

By Li Feng |

Every time I go to Shanghai, I go to the library. The facilities are very good and there are many kinds of books.

By ice |

There are many activities and lectures.

Every Shanghainese has the picture above in their memory.

There are not many seats inside, please go in advance to reserve a seat during winter and summer vacations

By Mo Xing |

I often go here to borrow books. It's generally good. On weekends, many people bring their lunch to read and sit there all day.

By gency |

Perhaps a city needs to have a particularly strong economic strength to be able to support such a large public library.

By Xiao Ou |

The area around Urumqi Road and Hengshan Road, where the above photo is located, is already a cultural district. Seeing this library on the corner, without its ostentatious structure or striking exterior, it truly showcases Shanghai's heritage. I don't need to package my culture. The sun is shining brightly, and the layout is very spacious. I recommend visiting it as a side trip.

By Cliff Walk Seafood |

It is grand and vast, and it also incorporates many new technologies to give readers a very rich and convenient reading experience. I hope I can visit it often~

By Minions |

It contains tens of thousands of books, covering everything you need. Book lovers should not miss it.

By krate |

The Shanghai Library has been built for a long time, but it is still very clean when you walk in. The reading atmosphere is very good, there are many books in it, and it is fully functional.

By I am a fairy named Ann |

It's very big and beautiful. You can go and have a look. However, many places (mainly places with a lot of books) cannot be entered without a card... There is also a book sterilizer... There is drinking water. The main thing is that it looks beautiful outside and it is very convenient. Line 10 is right in front of the library.

By Roubaoziqian-_-not Ames |

It is very close to the old streets of Xujiahui, and there is also Monsoon Book Garden at the exit of Shanghai Library subway station.

By Snow removal 92 |

Accompany me through the long and boring weekend time~

By Afterglow |

I remember back in college, when I often went to the library to read books. Now that I'm working, I go less often. The era of fragmented reading has arrived, destroying the joy of reading.

By pale |

The environment is very good, with various conveniences. When it is hot, the reading room is like a summer resort...

By carey |

Why are you here if you don't want to borrow books? Just take a look at it and go to the French Concession area.

By Little Bee |

Wherever I go, I always take time to visit the library. It is much bigger than the one in Wuxi and has more comprehensive books.

By A melancholy horse |

The features are average, the facilities are complete, and it is a good study environment.

By Aero Zeppelin |

I visit the Shanghai Library every two months, returning six books and borrowing six. The deposit for borrowing reference books is 1,000 yuan. Books are kept in closed shelves, and after an electronic search, the staff will find them and pass them down via a track. There are often exhibitions in the lobby to entertain readers while they wait.

By Lili |

People come and go, the world of books, the paradise of knowledge, wander in the sea of books, set sail

By blue |

It's big enough, but they don't allow us outsiders in. (I'm learning something new: a book sterilizer.) Oh, and there's a cafeteria. Big cities are different; the facilities are very good. I love Shanghai.

By Love Beauty with Laugh Lines |

It's just a library. Not much for browsing. But I can't live without it.

By Zou Yu |

Free admission, complete with public facilities and a reading area for the visually impaired.

By Mount Kailash |

You can read books in the reading room for free or borrow them with a card. It is easy to forget the time when reading in it, and you can spend the whole day reading.

By amlovebm |

The library has a really large collection of books. It also has a cafeteria where readers can eat after borrowing books. It's a really personalized service. The cafeteria is right outside the library. The food is delicious, haha!

By Liu Xiaopi is a good person |

The whole street is full of the flavor of old Shanghai. If you like this kind of style, don't miss it~~~

By Chen Xiaogui. |

Back at a good time, good people

By Headphones and camera Ami Khaki |

A place with a very cultural atmosphere, it would be perfect to soak in it for the whole day

By Qingyun Yixiao |

Of course, I go there to check out the literature, and sometimes there are exhibitions. It is located on the Gaoan Road section of Huaihai Road, so you can stop by when visiting Hengshan Road and Huaihai Road.

By stella |

The largest library in Shanghai has a great environment and you don't have to pay to borrow books.

By Small pineapple cakes |

Take the subway line 10 and get off at the Shanghai Library station. It's a very large library. You can apply for a card on the first floor. With your ID card and a deposit of 100, you can read and borrow books. It's very large and has a lot of books. It's very quiet. It's a very good library.

By Jessica |

Take Line 10 to the Shanghai Library, which is right across the street. You can read and borrow books, and there's a cafe there too. It's a great place to study. It's always crowded, making it a great place to study.

By P-duxuan |

It can only be said that it is a reading place suitable for citizens. There is no magical architecture and no dazzling interior decoration.

By God knows |

The Shanghai Library was founded in 1952, and the Shanghai Institute of Scientific and Technological Information was established in 1958. In October 1995, the two merged to form a comprehensive research-oriented public library and industry information center. It also serves as the Shanghai branch of the National Cultural Information Resources Sharing Project, the main library of the Shanghai Central Library, the Shanghai Ancient Books Preservation Center, the "Frontier Technology Development Research Center" of the Shanghai Soft Science Research Base, and the Shanghai Cultural and Creative Industry Information Center.

The Shanghai Library is a research-oriented public library. It was founded in July 1952 and was originally located at 325 Nanjing West Road. It was later relocated to 1555 Huaihai Middle Road. On December 20, 1996, the new Shanghai Library officially opened to the public. It has become a large-scale comprehensive research-oriented public library and is one of the top ten libraries in China.

By Mountains and rivers |

The Shanghai Library was founded in 1952, and the Shanghai Institute of Scientific and Technological Information was established in 1958. In October 1995, the two merged to form a comprehensive research-oriented public library and industry information center. It also serves as the Shanghai branch of the National Cultural Information Resources Sharing Project, the main library of the Shanghai Central Library, the Shanghai Ancient Books Preservation Center, the "Frontier Technology Development Research Center" of the Shanghai Soft Science Research Base, and the Shanghai Cultural and Creative Industry Information Center.

Shanghai Library is a research-oriented public library. Founded in July 1952, the library was originally located at 325 Nanjing West Road and later relocated to 1555 Huaihai Middle Road. On December 20, 1996, the new Shanghai Library officially opened to the public, becoming a large, comprehensive research-oriented public library and one of the top ten libraries in China.

By Charlotte |

It can be reached by Metro Line 10. The Shanghai Library has a rich collection and it is convenient to apply for a library card, which can be used in libraries across the city.