In Chinese culture, the study is a pure, serene oasis in the household where one reads, writes, paints, or mediates to find some inner peace.

A New Year special exhibition featuring nine themed studies that embody Chinese people’s life philosophy, wisdom, spiritual temperament and national character, kicked off on Saturday at the Beijing Books Building.

For example, visitors to the show can walk into the studies of Ming Dynasty (1268-1644) philosopher Wang Yangming, Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) scholar Ji Xiaolan, and Buddhist Master Hsing Yun (1927-2023) to have a dialogue with those great minds. They can also view the study themed on the Chinese classic A Dream of the Red Mansions, which epitomizes unique oriental aesthetics.