Fantasy-style library in Jiangxi welcomed nearly 200,000 visitors — ECNS
A library with architecture inspired by Western fantasy in Wuyuan County, Jiangxi Province, China, has become a popular tourist destination after opening to visitors on August 10. As of August 30, the facility had welcomed nearly 200,000 people, ECNS reports, citing local authorities.
A library in the forest
The facility, known as the “Funnel Library,” is located in the Xianggao City tourist area. The structure is almost invisible from the outside, as its curved walls blend into the surrounding forest. Inside, it houses books on local history, intangible cultural heritage, and literature.
The library’s interior is complemented by spiral stone staircases, warm lighting, and periodic bubble effects. According to the publication, these elements create a fairy-tale atmosphere in the space.
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A combination of architectural traditions
Wang Wanbin, design director of the Xianggao City project, said the building was created under the influence of the works of Spanish architect Antonio Gaudí. According to him, the idea was to combine a Western fantasy-style building with an ancient Huizhou-style town.
Wuyuan was historically part of the ancient Huizhou region and is known for its well-preserved traditional architecture. The Xianggao City area dates back to the Tang dynasty: for centuries, it served as Wuyuan’s county seat, as well as an important trade and cultural center of the region. Restoration work there has been underway since late 2022 under the principle of minimal intervention.
