the beijing center for chinese studies
Our Facilities-Beijing
Our programs in Beijing are offered in partnership with Xitai Culture, located in the lively embassy district of Sanlitun. More than an office, this space serves as a crossroads of culture and spirituality. The names of our rooms draw from Confucian self-cultivation, Buddhist compassion, Daoist cosmology, and Jesuit traditions of Magis and Discernment—bringing Eastern and Western thought into meaningful conversation.
Open Office Area
This versatile open space accommodates classes, seminars, workshops, and community gatherings. It showcases ancient artifacts, including pottery figures and ceramic vessels, and a full-scale replica of a Terracotta Warrior generously donated by the Terracotta Museum of Xi’an. The wall is adorned with portraits of three Jesuit missionaries who played pivotal roles in shaping the course of East-West exchange: Matteo Ricci, Adam Schall von Bell, and Ferdinand Verbiest. Together, these elements highlight a remarkable chapter of openness, adaptation, and dialogue in Chinese history.
The Anton Library for Chinese Studies
Named after our first Executive Director, Fr. Ron Anton, SJ, the Anton Library for Chinese Studies houses approximately 27,000 volumes. Its core collection on China—primarily in English—is the largest private collection of its kind in Beijing and among the largest nationwide. The library also preserves rare historical works, including a 1616 Latin edition of The Journals of Matteo Ricci and a 1687 Latin translation of The Analects of Confucius, offering invaluable resources for scholars and students alike.
Classrooms
The classrooms to the east and west are named Xuanhu(玄扈) and Xitai(西泰), respectively, the courtesy names of Xu Guangqi and Matteo Ricci, symbolizing the meeting of Chinese and Western scholarship. Their friendship and collaboration opened new paths for scientific, linguistic, and philosophical exchange between China and the West. These rooms honor that legacy—reminding us that, despite changing times, genuine dialogue and mutual understanding remain the foundation of cross-cultural connection.
Executive Director’s Office
The Executive Director’s office is designed to evoke the working space of a Ming Dynasty scholar-official. A Luohanchuang (罗汉床)—a traditional couch-bed used for conversation and correspondence—lines one side of the room. Opposite it stands a calligraphy table with brushes and inkstones arranged in harmony. The shelves display artifacts dating from the Warring States period (475-221 BC) to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911 AD), offering a tangible link to China’s long and rich history.
Tearoom
A welcoming space for hospitality and cultural exchange, the tearoom hosts tea classes and small gatherings. In keeping with the spirit of “以茶会友”—making friends through tea—it offers a curated selection of black, green, dark, and other regional teas from across China, inviting visitors to experience the breadth of Chinese tea culture.
Tibetan Lounge
The Tibetan Lounge highlights the vibrant traditions of Tibet, featuring prayer wheels, prayer flags, thangka paintings, and objects collected during past Silk Road excursions. Shelves are filled with scholarly Tibetan texts and art books, providing a rich gateway into the cultural and spiritual life of the plateau. Here, rare materials come together to form a quiet yet enduring dialogue that invites every visitor to discover the profound heritage of Tibet.