Book Exhibition:

From Nature to Innovation: Exploring Scientific Discoveries in Ancient China
天工開物 觸手可及－探索中國古代科學技術
Venue: The Forum, 6/F South Wing, Library
Time: Until 30 June 2025

Tiangong Kaiwu (Exploitation of the Works of Nature), authored by Song Yingxing (1587 – c.1666) during the Ming Dynasty, is a comprehensive work on agriculture and technology which manifests the innovative brilliance of ancient China. The term ‘Tiangong Kaiwu’ conveys the idea of humanity harnessing the nature to develop new things.

In fact, ancient Chinese scientists developed new technologies in various disciplines, playing a significant role in the civilization advancement not only in China but also in the entire world.

This book exhibition showcases Chinese and English titles on the history of ancient Chinese scientific discoveries, along with Tiangong Kaiwu. We hope you’ll find inspiration from the wisdom of our ancestors and carry on their legacy to create a brighter future.

《天工開物》乃明代宋應星(1587－約1666)所撰一部綜合性的科學技術著作。「天工」指自然之力，而「開物」指人的作為，兩者結合意思為人類利用自然力量開發新的事物。《天工開物》詳盡描述農業和手工業生產的各項技術，突顯了古代中國創新的智慧。

事實上，古代中國的科學家在各個領域開發新技術，不僅對中華文明起到了重要的推動作用，也對世界文明的演進產生了深遠的影響。

本次書籍展覽除了介紹《天工開物》之外，還挑選了多種關於中國古代科學技術的讀物。希望大家通過這展覽，加深對先祖智慧的認識，並且能繼往開來，努力創新，建設更美好的未來。