Quzhou: Forging a city of learning in new era

Quzhou in Zhejiang province, known as the "Home of Southern Confucianism", boasts a rich history and culture. With a focus on promoting citywide reading and digital empowerment, it's fostering a culture where learning is accessible to all, anytime and anywhere.

For 17 consecutive years, the city has hosted the Quzhou Reading Week and Quzhou Book Fair, integrating Confucian values and the cultural heritage of Song Dynasty (960–1279) poetry into its efforts to promote reading as a catalyst for spiritual enrichment, rural vitalization, and urban empowerment.

The city hosts more than 20,000 reading events annually and has created more than 1,500 new public reading spaces, including the Nan Kong Book Houses, also known as Southern Confucianism Book Houses, and Rural Book Houses. This expansive network ensures access to reading resources across urban and rural areas.

People enjoy reading in a Nan Kong Book House. [Photo/Sanqu APP]

In 2023, Quzhou launched an initiative to recruit talented individuals to manage the Rural Book Houses. With over 970 unique "librarians" and 2,120 themed activities, these book houses have become cultural hubs in rural areas.

Digital innovation is also key. Quzhou's "One-Click Book Borrowing" service, accessible via the Zheliban app, allows residents to order books for home delivery, breaking down barriers of distance and time.

In addition, the city's integrated library platform has increased book circulation by 131 percent annually, while self-service learning hubs and digital resources make learning convenient and accessible.