Even when the clock strikes 2 am, the Heping Library in Shanghai's Hongkou district remains vibrant, attracting a bustling crowd of night owls and eager learners.

The library, Shanghai's first 24-hour park library, opened on April 23. It is nestled within Heping Park and boasts a unique design, with a wealth of books and resources.

From the General Hall resembling a giant pagoda tent to the Children's Hall, the library is designed to cater to readers of all ages.

Among the readers is Xiaoyu, a 22-year-old woman who regularly visits the library at 10 pm, blending in with the 30 others scattered across the ground floor, each immersed in their studies.

Here, amid the library's warm glow, a different side of Shanghai reveals itself — a city that never truly sleeps, where the pursuit of knowledge never ceases.

Who is coming to this 24-hour library? The library's visitors change throughout the day, much like the changing tides. Each part of the day, from sunrise to sunset, brings a different group of people, creating a unique atmosphere at every hour.

Every day from 5:30 to 6 am at dawn, retired residents from the neighborhood arrive to start their day with some reading. Among them is a 72-year-old resident surnamed Wang, who had taken three buses from Pudong to borrow a copy of Kissinger: Behind the Great Power Game.

"I think he's an old friend of the Chinese people, and until his death at 100 years old, he was still visiting China, so I want to see what US citizens say about him," said Wang.

Wang fondly recalled Heping Park, where the lions and tigers evoked childhood memories of Children's Day.

As the day progresses, freelancers, students, and office workers flock to the space, drawn by its peaceful ambiance and modern amenities.

Emily, a junior student studying for her exams, lives in Hongkou and enjoys a short 10-minute bike ride to the library.

"Other libraries close earlier, and this place suits my needs because I wake up late in the morning and study from noon until it gets dark," said Emily.

She is drawn to the park's environment, finding solace in the flowers, grass, and the park's vibrant atmosphere, which helps her relax.

As evening falls, parents and children arrive, seeking a quiet space to bond over books and homework.

However, it's during the late hours that the library truly comes alive, buzzing with the energy of young people preparing for exams and burning the midnight oil in pursuit of their academic goals.

Linlin, a university student from a nearby school, had just walked in the door and was preparing to spend the night preparing for her exams.

"The library at school is open from 8 am to 10 pm, and will be open until 11 pm on exam weeks, and the overnight study room will only be open on exam weeks, so this place is better suited to meet my needs around the clock," said Linlin.

By midnight, half of the people in the library's dining bar were still immersed in their studies.

Library staff said that this trend would continue into the early hours of the morning, with nearly a dozen individuals staying until dawn to catch the early bus home.

If you go

Address: No 891 Tianbao Road

Sources: "the-Bund" "shhongkou" "ReadingShanghai" "hepingshuyuan0423" WeChat accounts