People browse documents related to the Yongle Encyclopedia. [Photo/WeChat account: ytslsqwlj]

At the Laishan District Library on Nov 15, the 2024 Yantai Mass Reading Conference witnessed the opening of the touring exhibition of the Yongle Encyclopedia, one of the world's oldest and largest encyclopedias.

Commissioned by Zhu Di, the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the encyclopedia encompasses thousands of works from the pre-Qin period (before 221 BC) to the Yongle period (1402-1424) of the Ming Dynasty. It covers a wide range of fields, including history, geography, literature, and philosophy, with a total character count of 370 million.

Over the centuries, this monumental work has suffered significant losses. Today, thanks to the efforts and resources of various parties, the National Library of China has preserved 224 volumes of the Yongle Encyclopedia, which constitutes more than half of extant copies.

The exhibition is divided into five sections supplemented by relevant historical documents, providing visitors with a comprehensive overview of the encyclopedia's compilation process, content, dispersal and preservation status, and historical significance.

One of the highlights for local visitors in Yantai is the specially curated display of historical content related to ancient Yantai, such as the territorial changes during the Tang Dynasty (618-907), included within the encyclopedia.

To further promote classical culture, the conference will also host a variety of complementary activities from Nov 15 to Dec 15. These include trying on hanfu, touching ancient books, and listening to cultural lectures, offering a rich and interactive experience.