Hangzhou's Liangzhu Big Roof, a cement structure, also possesses the charm of the Jiangnan region

Upon exiting the large granary, you will find the renowned Big Roof diagonally opposite, which now houses the Liangzhu Culture and Arts Center. The famous Japanese designer Tadao Ando, known as the 'Poet of Clean Concrete', designed the Big Roof. Built by the water, it combines strength and softness, endowing the cement structure with the ambiance of the water towns in Jiangnan. The first floor of the Big Roof hosts a spacious cafe and a cultural and creative goods store, but the highlight here is undoubtedly the library. Unlike the bustling granary bookstore, the Big Roof library exudes tranquility and composure. Before visiting the library, one must make an online reservation, and visitors naturally slow down their pace and lower their voices. The combination of the fragrance of books with aesthetics and gourmet food has become the latest survival strategy for bookstores. The Big Roof library spans two floors, with over a dozen wooden bookshelves standing tall, bringing an overwhelming sense of happiness from the mountain of books. Standing beneath them, one might feel somewhat insignificant. This is a public library, and the 50,000 volumes it contains have been carefully selected for their high readability. Ancient people sought tranquility in reading, while modern people value the atmosphere. Inside the library, the scent of books is serene and peaceful; outside the window, the water in the pond ripples, and the lawn is as lush as a carpet. If you happen to visit in the sunny March, clusters of pink cherry blossoms are in full bloom, how wonderful that would be. Unfortunately, the cherry blossoms come and go in a hurry, and we always miss the chance to meet them. Some say that Hangzhou is a city that loves reading, with various bookstores scattered throughout the region. Stepping into the Big Roof confirms that this is not an unfounded claim. The first and second floors of the library, along with the small reading room on the side, are filled with readers engrossed in their books. I truly wish I could stay here for a while, to slowly savor the charm of the fragrance of books in this beautiful environment. It's just a pity that our steps are always so hurried. 📍Detailed address: Liangzhu Cultural Village, Yuhang District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province Ticket price: Free