From Beijing to Shanghai, discover China’s breathtaking bookstores that double as cultural landmarks and architectural marvels.
Just as China’s rich culture stands apart from the rest of the world, so do its extraordinary bookstores. From advanced locations with progressive designs to snug retreats that are a delight to read in, here are the most beautiful bookstores you should check out in China.
Dujiangyan Zhongshuge
Nowhere do crafty architectural elements and fine literature come together better than at Dujiangyan Zhongshuge. Ranked sixth among the most beautiful bookstores in the world, this gem on the outskirts of Chengdu captivates bibliophiles with its unique swirling layout, which replicates the region’s traditional irrigation system.
You won’t be able to help but pull out your camera for a snap at every corner you turn when visiting Dujiangyan Zhongshuge. With black-tiled floors and mirrored ceilings, it’s a sensory overload. There are also plenty of areas for reading onsite, as well as a café where you can enjoy drinks with your book.
Address: China, Sichuan, Chengdu, Dujiangyan City, Yulei Rd, 玉玺路51 邮政编码: 611830
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10:00AM – 09:00PM
Zhongshuge Shenzhen
Sticking with Zhongshuge, we’re now moving to the Shenzhen branch, which also impresses with its design. The standout feature is, of course, the massive curved bookcase that winds right through the center of the store, resembling a snake.
Spread across two floors, the shop has various designated areas for different purposes. You’ll find everything from a kids’ reading space to a communal area where readers can come together. Books of all kinds are sold here, including comics, bestsellers, and plenty of other surprises.
Address: Qianhai OCT, Shenzhen, China
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10:00AM – 10:00PM
Huai’an Zhongshuge
If you happen to be in Huai’an and the bustle of the city becomes a little too much, Huai’an Zhongshuge is the ultimate literary escape with a creative twist. The store’s central area is designed with cosmic shapes, creating a crafty illusion reminiscent of a rollercoaster at a theme park.
Many of the twisting structures that make up the layout also hold a world of texts that you can pick up and read, shaped like planets in all sizes, sure to enchant every book lover.
Address: Huaian Guolian Sunac Ins Park F3, 99 Yan’an East Road, Qingjiangpu District, Huai’an City, Jiangsu Province, China
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 9:30AM – 9PM
Tianjin Zhongshuge
Any roundup of China’s bookstores must include Tianjin’s Zhongshuge. Keeping with the innovative theme for which Zhongshuge is known, this location draws attention by incorporating Italian elements into its floor plan, where neoclassical touches blend with Oriental aesthetics.
Tianjin Zhongshuge immediately impresses with its wooden spiral staircase, which sits in the background as chambers of books line both sides of the walls, creating an almost dungeon-like atmosphere that holds countless literary secrets.
Address: No. 39 Minzu Road, Italian-Style District, Tianjin, China
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 10PM
Hangzhou Zhongshuge
Hidden within the Star Avenue shopping complex in Hangzhou, this Zhongshuge store offers visitors a fully immersive experience. With mirrors at the top and glowing modern corridors, you’ll feel as if you’ve been transported fifty years into the future.
What truly sets Hangzhou Zhongshuge apart is that it moves you through two worlds at once. One area features towering wooden floor-to-ceiling shelves, evoking the charm of a traditional bookstore. The other has a futuristic feel to it, flooded with bright light as if you’ve entered another planet.
Address: China, CN 浙江省 杭州市 滨江区 江南大道 228 228号星光国际广场4-213 邮政编码: 311200
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 10PM
Beijing Zhongshuge
Zhongshuge is a new player in Beijing’s bookish scene, yet since opening, it has amazed readers from the start with reflective ceilings that bring its creative details to life. Arches are strategically placed to guide visitors through the space, with openings integrated into the bookcases, sparking curiosity at every turn.
Spanning 1,100 square meters, this Chinese-themed facility has a children’s area and a café, with over 50,000 books for readers to enjoy.
Address: B1 Floor of Galeries Lafayette, 110 Xidan North Street, Xicheng District, Beijing
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 10PM
Pioneer (Avant-Garde) Bookstore
Pioneer (Avant-Garde) Bookstore in China’s Zhejiang province would have you thinking you’re inside a traditional Chinese teahouse. Its bookshelves span multiple floors, while expansive open windows offer breathtaking views of the surrounding lush mountains.
Minimalism takes center stage, making it clear that the focus is on reading in a quiet, undisturbed space. Much of the seating is on the floor, with small circular spots for visitors to sit. Meanwhile, the concrete steps beside the windows provide unmatched vistas to enhance the reading experience.
Address: CFXJ+GJ2 Songyang County, Lishui, Zhejiang, China
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 9AM – 5PM
Mianhua Tiankeng Bookstore
Traditional bookstores are fun, but have you ever visited one built into the edge of a cliff? At Mianhua Tiankeng Bookstore in Luocheng, you can. As you descend into a sinkhole, you’ll find books lining the walls of the cave, while a staircase suspends you high above the ground.
Due to the narrow staircase, Mianhua Tiankeng Bookstore can get crowded, particularly on weekends, so plan your visit accordingly. If you can, come after dark, when the entire complex of shelves is lit up, creating a stunning visual spectacle.
Address: Mianhua Sinkhole, Luocheng Mulao Autonomous County, Guanxi, China
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday – 8AM – 6PM
Mofan Bookstore
A former Chinese Anglican Church, Mofan Bookstore has been converted into a space where visitors can browse and buy books. Unlike many modern shops in Beijing, it has retained some of its original features, like arched ceilings, ornate chandeliers, and stained-glass windows reminiscent of an active church.
Mofan also serves up a wide range of literature, featuring books on a range of topics, including art, history, and social science.
Address: No. 85 Tonglinge Road, Xicheng District 西城区佟麟阁路85号
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 7:30PM
Wangfujing Xinhua Bookstore
A highly regarded name in Beijing and across China, Wangfujing Xinhua Bookstore delivers a stellar lineup of just under 200,000 covers. This shop caters to every interest, offering books on economics, politics, education, and beyond. Besides written material, you’ll also find plenty of DVDs and VCDs.
Wangfujing Xinhua Bookstore showcases a fusion of classic and modern details, with wooden accents complementing sleek, well-lit architectural characteristics.
Address: No.218 Wangfujing Main Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100005 China
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 9AM – 9:30PM
Page One
The Page One concept shop in Beijing has a wealth of Chinese and foreign language books in its location at the APM Mall. A multi-story shop designed with more than just reading in mind, it’s about the full experience here, merging coffee with cultural activities to leave a lasting impression on visitors.
Understandably, bookworms will care more about what’s on the shelves than about everything else, and are you guys in for a treat. Think classical literature, foreign texts, and some written materials on social science, all under one roof.
Address: 19 Sanlitun Rd, Sanlitun, Chaoyang, Beijing, China, 100600
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 10PM
Sinan Bookstore
Discover the finest poetry in all of Shanghai at Sinan Bookstore. Set inside the St. Nicolas Orthodox Church, you’ll be treated to a diverse catalogue of Chinese poetry, but there’s also a good chunk of English-language books here, too, ensuring tourists are also accommodated.
The exterior still retains the charm of a traditional church. At the same time, bold, forward-thinking decor can be seen inside, featuring a vaulted ceiling and bookcases cascading down the walls, which display an impressive collection of books.
Address: 517 Fuxing Rd (M), Huangpu, Shanghai, China, 200025
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 9PM
San Lian Tao Fen Bookshop
If you’re the type who reads late into the night, San Lian Tao Fen Bookshop has you covered. Every day of the week, their Beijing branch is open 24 hours, with around 60,000 books ready for you to flip through at any time.
What makes it even more interesting here is the mix of spaces. While there’s plenty of reading areas, there’s also a listening area, where you can enjoy vinyl records out loud.
Address: China, 对面 West Gate, CN 北京市 朝阳区 北三里屯 33大厦 邮政编码: 100600
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 24/7
Shanghai Bookstore
The sprawling, beautifully lit wooden bookcases of the Shanghai Bookstore never fail to impress. Neither does its fantastic lineup of Chinese and foreign texts, covering multiple genres such as business management, technology, agriculture, and fine arts, with some rare books thrown in as well.
Every section across the Shanghai Bookstore is well signposted in both English and Chinese, so you don’t have to worry about language barriers when communicating with staff. There’s also a directory showing you which books are on which floor, helping you save time.
Address: 465 Fuzhou Rd, Huangpu, Shanghai, China, 200127
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 9:30AM – 9PM
Duoyun Books (朵云书院)
A shrine to literature high above the Shanghai skyline, Duoyun Books sits on the 52nd floor of the Shanghai Tower, overlooking the entire city. As you step out of the elevator, you’re greeted with a stunning panorama, but don’t get too distracted, as there’s a massive number of books in both Chinese and English waiting for you.
This Duoyun Books flagship store also boasts a cutting-edge floor plan with refined aesthetics, including curved passageways that open into a space flooded with natural light. Lush greenery rests atop tables, while expansive windows make you feel as if you’re reading above the clouds.
Address: 52nd Floor, Shanghai Tower, 501 Yinchengzhong Lu, near Lujiazuihuan Lu
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 9PM
Yanjiyou Bookstore
Yanjiyou Bookstore in Beijing’s Dongcheng District blends lofty design with a wooden interior that’s sure to catch your eye. The first floor is all about art and Beijing-related literature, while elsewhere, you’ll find shelves of humanities and children’s books.
The lower ceilings give the place a cozy, intimate vibe, best enjoyed with a warm drink as you lose yourself among the shelves.
Address: F1 WF Central, 269 Wangfujing Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 10PM
Join our community of 1.5M readers
Like this story? You'll love our free weekly magazine.
Adam Ryan
Adam is a distinguished content writer, bookworm, and full-time adventurer with a constant craving for coffee. When he's not working, he loves exploring remote corners of the world, immersing himself in different cultures, and writing about his experiences.
