Top universities of China open their treasured archives to media

Some of the top universities in China opened their libraries in a collective interview event which brought journalists from over 20 mainstream media outlets in the country from September 11 to 15.

Five universities in Beijing: Tsinghua University, Peking University, Minzu University of China, Beijing Institute of Technology, and Beijing Normal University welcomed reporters to explore the history and transformation of their libraries and cultural landmarks.

At Tsinghua University, reporters stepped into the century-old "Glass Book Stack," a 1919 structure with translucent frosted glass floors and a pulley-operated book lift still in working order. Nearby, the newly opened Qian Zhongshu & Yang Jiang Study and the Yang Zhenning Study offered intimate glimpses into the lives of renowned scholars, with original furniture, manuscripts, and correspondence on display.

Peking University showcased its ancient literature collection - the largest among Chinese universities - totaling 1.6 million volumes, including a rare early edition of Dream of the Red Chamber.

Minzu University of China highlighted its 220,000-volume ancient book collection, featuring multilingual texts spanning Mongolian, Tibetan, and other scripts, alongside the legacy of anthropologist Fei Xiaotong.

Beijing Normal University invited students to experience traditional woodblock printing and explore its 400,000-volume rare book collection.

The event underscored a shared mission: transforming libraries from quiet repositories into living classrooms where cultural heritage connects with contemporary youth.