Royal libraries in imperial China were more than just repositories of books; they were centers of knowledge, cultural preservation, and intellectual authority. The emperors and royal families took great pride in the collections housed within these libraries, as they reflected not only the intellectual pursuits of the time but also the power, prestige, and cultural heritage of the empire. Among these collections, certain books have achieved legendary status, becoming priceless treasures that offer insights into the intellectual, historical, and cultural achievements of China. In this article, we will explore some of the most important and valuable books in the royal libraries of China, examining their historical significance, their contents, and their enduring influence on Chinese culture and scholarship.

1. The Imperial Library System: A Brief Overview

Throughout China’s imperial history, the royal family and the emperor’s court were deeply involved in the preservation and promotion of Chinese literature, history, and philosophy. The imperial library was central to this mission, serving not only as a collection of books but also as a symbol of the emperor’s intellectual and cultural authority. Emperors often commissioned the creation and maintenance of royal libraries, investing in vast collections that would serve as a resource for their court officials, scholars, and intellectuals.

The most famous and influential royal libraries were located in the capitals of the various dynasties, such as the Forbidden City in Beijing during the Ming and Qing dynasties, and Luoyang and Chang’an in earlier times. These libraries held extensive collections, ranging from Confucian classics and historical records to works on philosophy, poetry, and art.

Among the many important texts housed within these libraries, some stood out for their scope, scholarship, and cultural significance. The imperial library was not only a place of learning but also a reflection of the emperor’s role as a patron of the arts, a scholar, and a custodian of Chinese cultural heritage.

2. The Siku Quanshu (Complete Library of the Four Treasuries)

One of the most famous and comprehensive book collections ever compiled in the history of China is the Siku Quanshu, or the Complete Library of the Four Treasuries. This monumental collection, compiled during the Qing Dynasty under the reign of Emperor Qianlong (1711–1799), is considered one of the most significant literary achievements in Chinese history.

The Siku Quanshu consists of approximately 3,461 books in 36,381 volumes, making it the largest and most comprehensive literary collection ever created in China. The collection is divided into four major categories, or “treasuries,” which were designed to encompass the essential knowledge and wisdom of the time:

1. Classics (Jing) – This section contained the foundational Confucian texts, including the Five Classics (Wu Jing) and the Four Books (Si Shu). These texts formed the core of Confucian education and were integral to the imperial examination system, which determined the appointment of government officials.
2. History (Shi) – This section included historical works, such as the Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji) by Sima Qian, and other important historical texts that recorded the dynastic history of China, as well as geographical and cultural records.
3. Philosophy (Zi) – The philosophy section contained works from various schools of thought, including Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism. Texts such as the Dao De Jing by Laozi and the writings of other classical philosophers were included.
4. Arts (Ji) – This section included works on poetry, music, painting, calligraphy, and other artistic pursuits, providing insight into the cultural life of the imperial court.

The Siku Quanshu was commissioned by Emperor Qianlong to preserve and categorize China’s literary heritage. It was an ambitious project that involved thousands of scholars working for years to compile, edit, and preserve the vast array of Chinese literary works. The project was so significant that it became a symbol of the emperor’s intellectual power and cultural authority. Today, the Siku Quanshu remains one of the most valuable and important cultural treasures in China, offering scholars and historians a wealth of information about Chinese history, literature, and philosophy.

3. The Yongle Encyclopedia (Yongle Dadian)

Another famous and historically significant book collection in the royal libraries of China is the Yongle Encyclopedia (Yongle Dadian). Commissioned by Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty (reigned 1402–1424), this encyclopedia is regarded as one of the largest and most ambitious literary works ever undertaken in China. The project was completed between 1403 and 1408, during the early years of Emperor Yongle’s reign.

The Yongle Encyclopedia was an immense work, containing over 11,000 volumes that encompassed all areas of human knowledge at the time, including history, philosophy, literature, art, medicine, and science. It was divided into 22,937 sections and included works from ancient Chinese classics, as well as foreign texts that were translated into Chinese. The encyclopedia aimed to compile all of the existing knowledge of the world, making it an invaluable resource for scholars and court officials.

The compilation of the Yongle Encyclopedia involved thousands of scholars and editors, and it was intended to serve as the ultimate reference work for the imperial court. It was also a tool for preserving the cultural heritage of China, ensuring that ancient wisdom and knowledge would not be lost to the ravages of time.

While most of the Yongle Encyclopedia was destroyed in later centuries, a few copies and excerpts of the work still exist today. These surviving texts are highly prized by scholars and researchers, as they provide invaluable insight into the intellectual and cultural life of the Ming Dynasty.

4. The Kangxi Dictionary (Kangxi Zidian)

Another significant text housed in the royal libraries of the Qing Dynasty is the Kangxi Dictionary (Kangxi Zidian), which was commissioned by Emperor Kangxi (reigned 1661–1722) and completed in 1716. The Kangxi Dictionary is one of the most important and influential Chinese dictionaries in history.

The dictionary contains 47,035 characters and provides definitions and explanations for each character, along with example phrases and quotations from classical texts. It was a monumental achievement that helped standardize the Chinese language and contributed to the intellectual development of China. The Kangxi Dictionary remained the authoritative reference work for Chinese characters for more than two centuries, and its influence can still be felt in modern Chinese lexicography.

The creation of the Kangxi Dictionary was part of Emperor Kangxi’s broader efforts to preserve and promote Chinese culture, as well as to maintain the unity and strength of the empire. It was also a testament to the emperor’s deep engagement with scholarship and his commitment to the intellectual life of the Qing court.

5. The Tripitaka Koreana

Although not created within the confines of the Chinese royal courts, the Tripitaka Koreana is another example of a priceless collection of books that has been preserved in royal libraries. The Tripitaka Koreana is a woodblock-printed version of the Buddhist scriptures, created during the Goryeo Dynasty in Korea (918–1392). It consists of over 80,000 wooden blocks, each inscribed with a page of the scriptures, and it remains one of the most important Buddhist collections in the world.

The Tripitaka Koreana was created as part of the Goryeo kings’ efforts to preserve and propagate Buddhism throughout East Asia. The texts were housed in the Haeinsa Temple in South Korea, and they were stored in a dedicated building that was protected from the elements and preserved with the utmost care. The Tripitaka Koreana is considered a national treasure of Korea, and it has been preserved as part of the cultural heritage of the region.

Although it is not a Chinese creation, the Tripitaka Koreana was highly regarded by Chinese scholars and emperors, who saw it as an important collection of Buddhist texts. The work has had a lasting influence on the study of Buddhism and continues to be an important resource for scholars of East Asian religion and philosophy.

6. Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of Royal Libraries

The royal libraries of imperial China were not only repositories of knowledge but also symbols of the power, prestige, and intellectual sophistication of the ruling dynasty. The books and manuscripts housed within these libraries, from the Siku Quanshu to the Yongle Encyclopedia, represent the breadth of Chinese scholarship and culture, and they offer a glimpse into the intellectual and artistic achievements of the empire.

These royal collections helped preserve the cultural heritage of China and played a key role in shaping the intellectual life of the empire. The emperors and scholars who contributed to these libraries understood the importance of books as a means of transmitting knowledge, preserving history, and promoting cultural continuity. As such, these priceless collections continue to hold great significance today, providing a window into the rich intellectual and cultural traditions of imperial China.