Ho Tung Library, established in 1894, was originally owned by Lady Ho. Sir Robert Ho Tung, a wealthy businessman, purchased the building in 1918 as a summer retreat. After his death in 1955, the building was converted into a public library, which officially opened to the public in 1958. The three-story building features a reading room on the first floor and the ‘Ho Tung Book Collection’ on the second floor, which is elegantly furnished with valuable armchairs, marble countertops, and ancient books and rare editions lining the walls, exuding the atmosphere of a classical Chinese study. The building also includes a spacious front court and a backyard, offering the convenience of urban living along with the pleasure of solitude in a garden setting.
Adjacent to the library’s rear garden, a new four-story building with modern advanced facilities has been constructed. The new building features glass exterior walls that facilitate natural lighting and blend harmoniously with the surrounding environment, allowing readers to experience a rich Sino-Portuguese cultural atmosphere. The total area of both buildings is over 30,000 square feet, with more than 400 seats. Breaking the usual library rules of no food and drink and quietness, the building is divided into areas where eating and reading are allowed, and there are also areas for readers to converse freely. In addition to reading, visitors can enjoy music and movies in the audio-visual area.
The library is open Tuesday to Sunday from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, and on Mondays from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The library is divided into two areas, old and new. The old section’s main building is a garden-style architecture with a bright and generous goose-yellow color as the main body, decorated with white lines. The unique four-sloped roof is covered with red tiles, giving it an antique and elegant appearance. The old building is famous for its collection of classical Chinese literature, including historical books from the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty, many of which are valuable孤本.
Ho Tung Library: A Blend of Classical and Modern
Ho Tung Library, established in 1894, was originally owned by Lady Ho. Sir Robert Ho Tung, a wealthy[...]
