Imagine ivy crawling over high yard walls. Picture moss and weeds covering the ground. Buildings are nearly crumbling. This is Shuyinlou. It is one of Shanghai’s last Qing Dynasty residences. Shuyinlou literally means “concealed books.” It is a hidden gem in this bustling city.
Shuyinlou was built in 1763. This makes it over 250 years old. It is at 77 Tiandeng Lane in Huangpu District. The mansion served as a private library. It was once among the three most venerated libraries in Jiangnan. Jiangnan is the area south of the lower Yangtze River. Tianyi Ge in Ningbo and Jiaye Tang in Huzhou were its counterparts. These libraries in Zhejiang Province are popular tourist spots. Shuyinlou, however, remains unfamiliar even to locals.
The mansion’s history is complex. A Ming Dynasty official first built it as part of Rishe Garden. The wealthy Lu family purchased it later. They transformed it into a private library. This is the same Lu family that gave its name to modern-day Lujiazui. The Guo family then bought the library in 1881.
By the 1940s, six brothers owned the remaining structure. It covers about 1,500 square meters. Eventually, their children moved abroad. Only Guo Junchun, the youngest brother, lived there until 1995. By then, the condition was too precarious.
The government eventually purchased Shuyinlou. Before that could happen, it had been owned by 21 landlords. This made timely maintenance difficult. Zhang Guoliang spent a year and a half contacting all the landlords. The goal was to transfer ownership to the government.
The Shanghai Urban Renewal Development Co is now in charge of renovations. An official described the state of the buildings. Parts had collapsed. Others were on the verge of collapse. Termites had severely damaged the wooden parts. Immediate repairs were crucial.
The renovation project aims to preserve the historical structure. Workers are following original design charts and file photos. The goal is minimal interference while ensuring safety. A canopy will cover the open-air courtyard. This protects the wooden structure from rain. Waterproof clothes will wrap wooden window and door frames. This provides further protection. Land subsidence is also being monitored.
The renovation team collected broken parts of the houses. They numbered each piece. This ensures proper reassembling in the future. Many delicate wood and stone carvings remain. These carvings depict scenes from Chinese mythology.
To visit Shuyinlou is to step back in time. You can wander through its courtyards. You can imagine scholars poring over ancient texts. The Secluded Library holds secrets of Shanghai’s past. It is a testament to the city’s rich cultural heritage. Shuyinlou stands as a reminder of the importance of preserving history. It is a place where concealed books reveal stories of generations past.