In the 1920s, former Qing scholars, led by Lai Tsi-hsi, a scholar of Hanlin Academy, decided to gather for book-reading sessions and lectures to promote Chinese traditional culture, amidst the strong waves of Western influence. With the support of merchants Robert Ho Tung, Lee Hysan, Li Hai-tang and Kwik Djoen-eng among others, Hok Hoi Library was founded in 1923. To preserve traditional Chinese culture, renowned teachers and scholars were invited to give lectures, and a collection of books were available for public access. The establishment of Hok Hoi Library was inspired by Xuehai Tang, in Guangzhou, since the education philosophy of Lai Tsi-hsi of upholding the teaching of Confucius and Chinese classics was strongly influenced by Xuehai Tang. Guangzhou’s Xuehai Tang was founded by the Viceroy of Guangdong and Guangxi, Ruan Yuan, during the Jiaqing reign of Qing dynasty (1796-1820). The school, which advocated “practical study” emphasising the interpretation of classical texts, as well as philology, was one of the most influential schools in Qing dynasty and an important cultural heritage for contemporary scholars in Guangdong. Chan Pak-tao, a founding member of Hok Hoi Library, also attended Xuehai Tang.

Many renowned teachers and prominent scholars, such as Chan Pak-tao, Lai Tsi-hsi, Zhu Ru-zhen, Wen Su, Ou Da-dian, Ou Da-yuan, Cen Guang-yue, Yu Shu-wen and so on, gave lectures in Hok Hoi Library. Extensive efforts were made to drive the development of Confucianism and Chinese language education in Hong Kong, and the library prompted the establishment of the School of Chinese of The University of Hong Kong. In the early twentieth century when “Western knowledge” took China by storm, the Hok Hoi scholars jointly promoted the inheritance of Chinese culture, which was particularly meaningful. After World War II, increasing number of scholars came to Hong Kong from the Mainland, and Hok Hoi Library hired renowned teachers, such as Tang Chun-i and Jao Tsung-i, to deliver talks. Among them, Professor Chan Cham-chuen from Sun Yat-sen University, in Guangzhou, gave lectures at the library for more than 30 years.

In the 1960s, the premises of Hok Hoi Library in Central underwent reconstruction. When Hong Kong City Hall was inaugurated, the library entrusted its entire collection to the City Hall Public Library. The collection remained in City Hall until 2001 when it was moved to Hong Kong Central Library. During the time when the collection was in City Hall, City Hall Public Library made available the lecture room in the High Block for Hok Hoi Library to use free of charge to hold public talks on Sinology, in an effort to carry on the passion of scholars who moved south in the late Qing dynasty to preserve Chinese culture. Today, the Sinology talks in Hok Hoi Library continue. The Hok Hoi Collection comprises more than 34,600 volumes in over 1,900 categories – mostly thread-sewn copies and manuscripts of historical Sinology books. The jing (classics), shi (history books), zi (works of philosophers) and ji (fine writing) are well-preserved in Hong Kong Central Library and are indeed gems of Sinology.

Opening Hours:
Monday to Sunday: 9am - 11pm

Address:
5 Edinburgh Place, Central, Hong Kong.

Enquiry Hotline:
(852) 2921 2840