A library built into a sinkhole, dubbed by netizens as "China's Hogwarts," has gone viral online, bringing renewed attention to an ancient town in Wuyuan, east China's Jiangxi Province.
From the outside, the sinkhole library is nearly invisible, tucked into the hillside. Its facade features flowing curves rather than traditional straight lines and sharp angles.
Descending a spiral staircase, visitors can meet warm amber light filtering through layered bookshelves, while a bubble machine overhead activates at timed intervals to add a magical atmosphere, a spectacle that has left many tourists amazed.
"This library recreates scenes from the books and films I've seen, evoking a sense of traveling through time and space," said Ms. Pan, a visitor from Guangzhou.
The library is located in Xian'gao Ancient Town, an ancient settlement first built during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Historically a key commercial hub and cultural center in the ancient Huizhou region, it still preserves its old city gates, bluestone-paved alleys, and over a hundred Hui-style residential buildings.
The library's collection also features numerous local chronicles of Huizhou, volumes on intangible cultural heritage crafts, and literary works.
Since its opening on August 10, the sinkhole library has received nearly 200,000 visits, while related topics have continued to trend on both domestic and overseas social media platforms.