Ancient Temple Filled with the Scent of Books, Perfect Time for Spring Reading

With spring in full bloom, an ancient temple is filled with fragrance. At Baoguo Temple in Xicheng District, an elegant gathering centered on antiquarian books, aimed at nurturing the city’s cultural heritage through literature, has arrived as scheduled. The event “Reading for the Nation, Spring Reading at Gu’s Shrine” was held here, marking the opening of the 2026 Baoguo Temple Antiquarian Book Fair. It also officially launched the “Read in the Community” activity brand, serving as a concrete manifestation of advancing the implementation of the “National Reading Promotion Regulations” in Xicheng.

Exploring Stalls at the Book Fair to Discover Treasures and Experience Intangible Cultural Heritage

At 10:30 AM, a clear and melodious sound of a gong resonated from the platform in front of the third hall of Baoguo Temple, signaling the official opening of the 2026 Baoguo Temple Antiquarian Book Fair. This announced that this centuries-old temple was once again immersed in the fragrance of old books and new knowledge.

Following the ceremony, the site quickly transformed into a dialogue across time and space. Cultural figures eloquently recounted the historical and cultural legacy of Baoguo Temple. Subsequently, a poetry recital titled “Reading for the Nation, Spring Reading at Gu’s Shrine,” performed by representatives from new employment groups, elementary school students, a veterans’ choir, model civil units, united front personages, and community workers, brought the event to a climax, vividly interpreting the spiritual inheritance of “reading for the nation.”

Simultaneously, a unique “Guangnei Cultural Corridor” creative market opened, adding a rich atmosphere of daily life and interactive fun to the spring reading event. The market was orderly planned, with various characteristic stalls forming a cultural square from near to far. On one side was the “Book Fragrance Corridor” jointly presented by publishing houses, where classic texts and cutting-edge readings were readily available, allowing visitors to serendipitously discover the joy of reading. The other side gathered a dazzling array of intangible cultural heritage projects such as Beijing wax fruit, Guo’s micro-carving, Beijing court embroidery patchwork, Cao’s kites, Yu’s straw weaving, and Beijing embroidered tiger-head shoes. Artisans demonstrated their skills on-site, bringing techniques dormant in ancient texts to life at their fingertips. Additionally, local memory carriers like the former residence of Shen Jiaben and the Xuannan Museum, alongside time-honored brands and new cultural consumption brands such as Zhang Yiyuan, Guohua Mall, and Benzhen Coffee, gathered together, collectively painting a panoramic picture of community cultural life that is “readable, appreciable, enjoyable, and purchasable.”

“Four Seasons Cultural Calendar” Released

During the opening event of the Baoguo Temple Antiquarian Book Fair, Guangnei Subdistrict in Xicheng District released the “You’re ‘In'” and “Read in the Community” four-season themed activity plan, further enriching the scope of the Baoguo Temple Antiquarian Book Fair.

Rooted in the soil of “Xuannan Culture” and with the spirit of “reading for the nation” at its core, this plan outlines a vivid picture of “themes for every season, activities for every month.” Spring Harmony & Xuannan Rhyme: telling Xuannan stories together, savoring Xuannan’s past, and feeling historical changes through the scent of books. Summer Lushness & Intangible Heritage Revival: reading classic literary works together, combining historical reading with traditional craft experiences to rejuvenate ancient intangible heritage in modern life. Autumn Clarity & Cultural Legacy Transmission: sharing red stories from the “Beijing Red Map,” deepening education in original aspirations through the inheritance of red cases. Winter Warmth & Cultural Care: demonstrating reading gains through reading showcases, releasing Guangnei Subdistrict’s annual reading list, and displaying the year’s achievements in national reading.

The release of this “Four Seasons Cultural Calendar” marks the evolution of “Read in the Community” from an activity brand into a year-round, content-rich, and sustainable cultural inheritance activity, forming the “Guangnei Experience” in Xicheng’s cultural development. Relying on New Era Civilization Practice centers and volunteer teams, the activity collects public needs and builds communication bridges through a series of reading events. Using culture as a bond, it narrows the distance with the public, enhances the soft power of grassroots governance, and achieves a two-way promotion of cultural benefits for the people and governance

Baoguo Temple

Baoguo Temple, located in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, is the oldest surviving wooden structure in southern China. Originally built in 1013 AD during the Northern Song Dynasty, it is renowned for its intricate bracket-set (*dougong*) architecture that has withstood earthquakes for nearly a millennium without the use of nails. The temple is a significant cultural and architectural treasure, reflecting the advanced engineering of ancient Chinese Buddhist temple construction.

Gu’s Shrine

Gu’s Shrine is a Taoist temple located in the heart of Shanghai’s Yuyuan Garden complex, originally built during the Ming Dynasty (around 1577) in honor of Gu Bingqian, a benevolent local official. It served as a guild hall for merchants from his home province and exemplifies classical Chinese garden architecture. Today, it remains a preserved cultural site within the popular tourist area, reflecting the city’s historical blend of commerce, community, and spirituality.

Beijing wax fruit

“Beijing wax fruit” refers to a traditional Chinese folk handicraft originating in Beijing, particularly during the Qing Dynasty. Artisans skillfully sculpt and color beeswax into hyper-realistic replicas of fruits, which were historically used as decorative table centerpieces and symbols of prosperity. This delicate craft reflects Beijing’s artistic heritage and the pursuit of lifelike beauty in everyday objects.

Guo’s micro-carving

Guo’s micro-carving is a traditional Chinese art form originating from the Qing Dynasty, renowned for its intricate carvings on extremely small surfaces like ivory or stone. Master carvers, such as those from the Guo family, use specialized tools to create detailed landscapes, calligraphy, and figures that are nearly invisible to the naked eye. This delicate craft represents a fusion of artistic skill and patience, preserving a unique aspect of China’s intangible cultural heritage.

Beijing court embroidery patchwork

Beijing court embroidery patchwork is a traditional Chinese textile art originating from the imperial workshops of the Ming and Qing dynasties, renowned for its intricate designs and luxurious silk materials. Historically created for the royal family, it features symbolic motifs like dragons and phoenixes, meticulously crafted using techniques such as gold-thread embroidery and fine silk patchwork. Today, it is preserved as an intangible cultural heritage, representing the pinnacle of ancient Chinese craftsmanship and court aesthetics.

Cao’s kites

Cao’s kites are a traditional Chinese kite-making craft originating from Weifang, Shandong Province, often traced back over 2,000 years to the Spring and Autumn Period. The Cao family is renowned for their exquisite craftsmanship, using bamboo frames and hand-painted silk or paper to create detailed, often symbolic designs. This art form is recognized as part of China’s intangible cultural heritage, preserving ancient techniques and cultural stories through vibrant, flying artworks.

Yu’s straw weaving

“Yu’s straw weaving” is a traditional Chinese handicraft, particularly associated with regions like Shandong, known for weaving durable and artistic items from wheat straw or rush. Historically, it dates back centuries as a practical folk art, often passed down through generations, with techniques used to create items like hats, baskets, and decorative pieces. Today, it is recognized as part of China’s intangible cultural heritage, preserving both craftsmanship and cultural identity.

Beijing embroidered tiger-head shoes

Beijing embroidered tiger-head shoes are traditional Chinese children’s footwear, originating from the Ming and Qing dynasties, known for their vibrant tiger designs. They symbolize protection, health, and bravery, with the tiger motif believed to ward off evil spirits. These shoes remain a popular cultural gift, especially during festivals, reflecting enduring folk customs in northern China.