Guangling shushe

Guangling shushe (广陵书社) is a Chinese publishing house based in Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, whose name references the historical Guangling region centered on modern Yangzhou. According to its official website, the press was established in 2002 and describes itself as a specialized publisher with distinctive local characteristics, focused on ancient books (古籍), woodblock printing (雕版印刷), thread-bound books (线装图书), and scholarly and local-culture works. Its catalogue spans classical literature, local gazetteers, Republican-era periodicals, and cultural collectanea. The house traces its institutional lineage to the Yangzhou Guangling Ancient Books Carving and Printing House (扬州广陵古籍刻印社), which was active from the 1960s in collecting and reproducing old woodblocks and traditional printing. After periods of interruption and revival, the operation was formally reorganized and in 1999 was renamed as a publishing house; in 2002 it was re-established as Guangling shushe. The press is known for traditional Chinese book arts, including woodblock printing and thread binding, and for large-scale facsimile and compilation projects. Guangling shushe publishes in areas such as classical Chinese texts, local history and geography, academic monographs, and cultural series. Its website lists categories including woodblock and thread-bound editions, documentary facsimiles, ancient-book collation, academic works, local culture, Republican-era periodicals, and cultural collectanea. Notable projects mentioned on its site include the Ruan Yuan ji (阮元集) series, Zhang Jian cidian (张謇词典), and various Jiangsu and Yangzhou local-history titles. The press is based at No. 2-4, Guoqing Road, Yangzhou, and its contact details are published on its official site. It operates primarily in the Chinese market, serving libraries, scholars, and collectors of traditional Chinese books. Its brand identity is closely tied to Yangzhou's historical role as a center of woodblock printing and book culture.

Guangling shushe's history is rooted in the traditional woodblock printing industry of Yangzhou, a city long associated with Chinese book culture. According to the publisher's own account, its predecessor was the Yangzhou Guangling Ancient Books Carving and Printing House (扬州广陵古籍刻印社), which from the 1960s was engaged in collecting old woodblocks and reproducing rare ancient books. During the Cultural Revolution, this work was interrupted, and many woodblocks were damaged or lost. In 1978 the operation was restored, and in 1979 the state adjusted policies concerning the ancient-book publishing and reproduction sector, allowing the carving and printing house to resume facsimile and reproduction work on old books. In May 1982, the cultural authorities further clarified the division of labor, confirming the house's specialized role in ancient-book reproduction and woodblock printing. In the years that followed, it produced a number of influential facsimile and compilation works, including titles in local history and classical literature. In 1999, the institution was renamed as a publishing house. In November of the same year, following reforms in the ancient-book publishing system, it was designated as the ancient-book printing and reproduction base for Jiangsu Province, with responsibility for woodblock printing, facsimile reproduction, and related ancient-book work, while other general book publishing was restricted. In October 2000, a senior national leader visited and inscribed the name "Guangling shushe," giving the house its current name and reinforcing its role in ancient-book collation and reproduction. In May 2002, another senior leader visited and affirmed the direction of its work. On 22 November 2002, Guangling shushe was formally established as a publishing house under the approval of the national press and publication authorities, with the Jiangsu provincial authorities taking over management. The press was positioned as a specialized publisher of ancient books and traditional book arts. In October 2005, its management was further adjusted under the provincial authorities. Since then, Guangling shushe has continued to publish ancient books, thread-bound editions, local histories, and academic works, and has been recognized for its contributions to traditional Chinese book culture, including awards for overseas library collections of Chinese books.

• 2021

  Ruan Yuan ji publication seminar held in Yangzhou.

• 2020

  Wins recognition for overseas library collections of Chinese books.

• 2005

  Management further adjusted under provincial authorities in October.

• 2002

  Formally established as Guangling shushe on 22 November under national approval.

• 2000

  Senior national leader visits and inscribes the name 'Guangling shushe'.

• 1999

  Renamed as a publishing house; designated Jiangsu's ancient-book printing and reproduction base.

• 1982

  Cultural authorities confirm the house's specialized role in ancient-book reproduction and woodblock printing.

• 1979

  State policy adjustments allow resumption of ancient-book facsimile and reproduction work.

• 1978

  Operation restored after interruption during the Cultural Revolution.

• 1960

  Predecessor Yangzhou Guangling Ancient Books Carving and Printing House active in collecting and reproducing old woodblocks.

Specialist publisher of ancient books, woodblock printing, and thread-bound editions with a strong Yangzhou and Jiangsu local-culture identity.

• Ruan Yuan ji (阮元集) series

• Zhang Jian cidian (张謇词典)

• Woodblock and thread-bound fine editions

• Local gazetteers and local history titles

• Republican-era periodicals

1. 1Guangling shushe official websiteyzglpub.com
2. 2About Guangling shusheyzglpub.com
3. 3Wikidata: Guangling shushewikidata.org