Xinjiang is aggressively expanding its public reading network this year, marking the first year of implementation for the National Reading Promotion Regulations. The region is shifting from traditional fixed libraries to fluid, integrated spaces, aiming to embed reading habits into the daily routines of residents across both urban and rural landscapes.
Expanding Accessibility Through Urban Innovation
In Urumqi, the city has introduced “Fragrant Bus Lines” on routes 4201 and 907. These buses feature “seat book bags” containing literature tailored for youth, alongside QR codes that grant passengers access to the Xinjiang Library and Xinjiang Rural Book Houses for digital reading and audiobooks.
Jiang Jiayuan, Section Chief of Printing, Publishing, and Copyright Management for the Urumqi Municipal Party Committee Propaganda Department, noted that these lines serve several primary and secondary schools. The city plans to further expand this reach by launching “Yun” study rooms, city study rooms, and the Hongshan Book Station.
Similar efforts are appearing in the Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, where a “15-minute reading service circle” has been established. This network includes 28 smart city book houses, 177 community book houses, and 175 digital rural book houses integrated into parks, shopping districts, and scenic areas.
Diverse Reading Spaces Across the Region
The region currently maintains a broad infrastructure consisting of 111 public libraries, 118 cultural centers, and 1,126 township or street-level cultural stations. These are being supplemented by specialized venues designed to blend reading with tourism and daily life.
Examples include the Hami Yu Study located in community parks, the Na Study in the Nalati scenic area, and the “Meet Study” by Sailimu Lake, which combines reading with sightseeing. These diverse spaces are designed to meet the varied needs of different ethnic groups across the region.
The Role of Reading Promoters and Branding
Individual promoters are playing a critical role in bridging the gap between resources and readers. Bin Ba (Liang Yiyao), a promoter in Urumqi, has spent 15 years focusing on children’s literacy. By the conclude of 2025, his “Bin Ba Story Collection Daily Read” on the Ximalaya platform reached 840,000 views across 1,283 works, complemented by 328 offline parent-child sessions.
Region-wide branding is also being utilized under the “Fragrant Xinjiang, Cultural Tianshan” initiative. This includes the “Tianshan Leading Reader Plan” by the Xinjiang Youth Publishing House and the “Seeing Ili” program in Ili Prefecture.
On April 17, the Xinjiang People’s Publishing House hosted the fifth “Tasting the Fragrance of Books · Reading Xinjiang” event. Since its 2022 launch, the program has used author interviews and novel book releases to connect various reading scenes across the region.
Digital Transformation and Immersive Tech
Digital tools are fundamentally altering reading habits in the region. According to the 22nd National Reading Survey released in April 2025, there is a dual growth in both print and electronic reading among adults, with audiobooks and mobile reading becoming standard parts of daily life.
The region is adopting high-tech immersive experiences to attract readers. The Hami City Library uses AR to present content on aerospace and intangible cultural heritage, while the Xinjiang Xinhua International Book City features a metaverse space equipped with VR pods and holographic glasses.
Digital accessibility is also being scaled through mobile platforms. The Hotan Regional Library’s digital小程序 (mini-program) currently provides access to 8,810 e-books, 6,846 audiobooks, and 1,993 videos.
Recent recognition from the China Audio-visual and Digital Publishing Association highlights this trend. The “New Era Rural Reading Season” and the work “Listening to Xinjiang Stories, Bathing in the Glory of the Party” (available in Chinese and Uyghur) were both included in the 2026 recommended digital reading lists.
Future Outlook
As the National Reading Promotion Regulations continue to be implemented, the region may further integrate AI and VR technologies into rural book houses to bridge the urban-rural digital divide. There is a possibility that more “fluid” reading spaces, similar to the bus lines, could be introduced in other public transport hubs or government service centers to further normalize daily reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the “Fragrant Bus Lines” in Urumqi?
They are specialized bus routes (4201 and 907) equipped with “seat book bags” for youth reading and QR codes that link passengers to online platforms like the Xinjiang Library and rural book houses.
How is the “15-minute reading service circle” implemented in Changji?
It integrates reading spaces into the community via 28 smart city book houses, 177 community book houses, and 175 digital rural book houses located in scenic areas, parks, and shopping districts.
What digital resources are available through the Hotan Regional Library?
Through its digital mini-program, the library offers 8,810 e-books, 6,846 audiobooks, and 1,993 videos.
Do you believe integrating libraries into public transportation is an effective way to encourage reading among students?
