Hong Kong's First Private Library Xuehai Shulou Sparks National Learning Revival
AM730 · 1 SOURCES42 minutes ago3 MIN
Summary
Xuehai Shulou, established in 1923 by former Qing officials including Lai Jixi, stands as Hong Kong's first private library open to the public, dedicated to preserving Chinese classical literature. With support from prominent businessmen such as Ho Tung, the institution collected thousands of precious ancient texts while hosting weekly lectures by former Hanlin Academy scholars. The library played a crucial role in reviving traditional culture during a period when Western education dominated and Confucian teachings were sidelined. Beyond its immediate cultural impact, Xuehai Shulou's advocacy directly influenced the founding of the University of Hong Kong's Chinese Studies department in 1927. Today, the library continues its educational mission through weekly public lectures across Hong Kong's public libraries, with its extensive collection now housed at the Hong Kong Central Library.
Key Points
- Xuehai Shulou was founded in 1923 at Bonham Road, Mid-Levels, by former Qing Grand Secretary Lai Jixi alongside scholars Chen Bo-tao, Zhu Ruzhen, Wen Su, and Ou Dadian
- The library collected over 30,000 volumes covering the Four Treasuries of classical Chinese literature—the Classics, Histories, Masters, and Collections—and offered free public lending services
- Major financial supporters included merchants Ho Tung, Leslie Irwin, Li Haidong, and Guo Chunyang, enabling the institution's operations
- Former HKU Han Chinese lecturer Lai Jixi advocated for Chinese higher education, contributing to the establishment of HKU's Chinese Studies department in 1927 under Governor Sir William Cornwallis
- In 2001, the entire collection was transferred from Hong Kong City Hall to the Hong Kong Central Library in Causeway Bay for preservation
Why It Matters
The Xuehai Shulou represents a remarkable case of cultural preservation against the odds—a group of displaced scholars from a fallen dynasty managed to sustain and transmit traditional Chinese learning in a British colonial environment. Its role in catalysing the establishment of HKU's Chinese Studies department demonstrated that private cultural institutions could shape public education policy, leaving a lasting legacy on Hong Kong's intellectual landscape. Today, as the library digitizes its lecture archives and continues welcoming thousands of annual listeners, it proves that century-old commitments to cultural heritage can remain relevant and vibrant in the digital age .
The Xuehai Shulou represents a remarkable case of cultural preservation against the odds—a group of displaced scholars from a fallen dynasty managed to sustain and transmit traditional Chinese learning in a British colonial environment. Its role in catalysing the establishment of HKU's Chinese Studies department demonstrated that private cultural institutions could shape public education policy, leaving a lasting legacy on Hong Kong's intellectual landscape. Today, as the library digitizes its lecture archives and continues welcoming thousands of annual listeners, it proves that century-old commitments to cultural heritage can remain relevant and vibrant in the digital age .