Chinese treasures dating back to the 17th century have gone on display at the National Library of Australia in Canberra.

The exhibition, titled Celestial Empire: Life in China 1644-1911, provides a window into Chinese history, from the rise of a new dynasty to the arrival of western missionaries.

National Library of Australia Council chair Ryan Stokes said the exhibition had been nearly three years in the making, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding in 2012 with the National Library of China.

"The exhibition provides a rare window into nearly 300 years of life at court, in the fields and in the cities of Beijing and Shanghai - the Qing Dynasty," Mr Stokes said.

"It is also a first for these two leading cultural institutions. Many of these treasures have not been out of the country before."

Qianlong emperor by Wang Fangyue, engraved in 1757. ( Supplied: National Library of China )

The Qing Dynasty ruled China for nearly 270 years and was the last of China's imperial dynasties.

Curator Nathan Woolley said the exhibition focused on "what life was like for individuals at different levels of society".

"We have a focus on paper-based materials," he said.

"We have a large number of books, elite poetry and illustrated works."

Mr Woolley said there were 170 items in the exhibition - half from China and half from Australia.

"They were very excited to share some of their treasures with us," he said.

"I believe this is the biggest exhibition that the National Library of China has ever mounted overseas.

"This is also our first bilingual exhibition we've done at the National Library. We have labels both in Chinese and English."

Mr Wooley, said the exhibition, which opened on Saturday, was being received well by the public.

"We were booked out all of yesterday and half of today and I imagine that will continue," he said.

"We've also been pleased to have quite a few Chinese visitors."

Complete Physiognomy of the Hemp Robe by Qiu Zongkong, 19th century. ( Supplied: National Library of Australia )

Richard Neumann is currently stationed as a deputy representative of the Australian Office in Tai Pei, but saw the exhibition on a visit home to Canberra.

"They say when you study China, one lifetime is not enough," he said.

"But having this fantastic material that hasn't been shown here before in Australia and is very difficult to see on public exhibition anywhere in the world, it opens up your eyes to a large part of China's history that isn't really well known."

Australia-China Council North Asia Division manager Serina Huang said it was fantastic to see a collaboration of Chinese art in Canberra.

"It's actually quite a nice and proud feeling to see works that have been collected here side by side with works that have come from China," she said.

"I'll definitely be bringing my kids back here too... and I know they're going to love it.

"I've noticed a lot of Chinese parents coming with their children too and speaking Chinese with their children and telling them a bit about their cultural heritage."

The exhibition will be on display at the National Library until May.