5 beautiful bookstores worth exploring in Beijing

Photo: Mofanshuju Bookstore + Poetic Space/WeChat

You don’t need to master Chinese to appreciate these local literary centres in the city 

It's always a pleasant experience to snuggle up with a book in the serene solitude of your own home. However, occasionally it's also nice to change things up and read in a different setting. Whilst you may already be familiar with Page One, there are five other beautiful local bookshops that are definitely worth a visit.

Xiyuetang

Photo: Xiyuetang/WeChat

Xiyuetang, a former abandoned factory close to Beijing CBD, has been transformed into a remarkable 4,000sqm modern cultural hub. It now houses an extensive collection of books and hosts various activities. The inviting reading areas by the windows and bookshelves are often filled with passionate readers. What truly catches the eye in this bookstore is a mesmerising spiral staircase, embellished with lights that illuminate as you climb up.

 Open 9am-7.30pm Mon-Fri, 9am-8pm Sat-Sun.

Zhongshuge 

Photo: Zhongshuge/WeChat

This Chinese bookstore chain has been a smashing success across the Mainland though mainly for its majestic interior designs, which is a huge draw for the selfie natives, and its Beijing outpost is no different. It houses an endless maze of books packed on shelves that go along the walls and even suspended from the ceiling. It’s a boon for parents as it also has an enormous reading area for kids. You can spend the entire day here, and you might as well get some Instagram posts while you’re at it. 

 Open 10am-9pm daily.

Mofanshuju Bookstore + Poetic Space

Photos: Mofanshuju Bookstore + Poetic Space/WeChat

Formerly the home of the biggest and earliest Anglican church in north China, this bookstore has given the 116-year-old structure a new lease of life. Its wooden arches, domes and glass windows have been carefully restored and made modern, with a spacious interior. A bookstore and a historic attraction rolled into one, it’s worth coming during the weekends just to walk around and take in its majestic interiors.

 Open 10am-7pm daily.

Quanmin Changdu Bookstore

Photos: Quanmin Changdu Book Store/WeChat

Nestled inside a park near the Babaoshan metro station, this bookstore offers not only books but is also a thriving community space for artists and literary types. It has a regular line-up of literary and lifestyle events that range from fine dining, coffee-tasting, to film-screening although you will need some proficiency in Chinese to participate. It’s an ideal weekend hangout spot to catch up with friends, or meet some new ones. It has a wonderful glass ceiling letting in natural light and its space is divided up into smaller rooms and alcoves that bookworms can hole up in for hours.

 Open 9am-9pm daily.

The Gateway

Photos: The Gateway/WeChatFor many people in Beijing, the Gateway bookstore means more than just a bookstore, but a place for nostalgia. The store houses a collection of books on the history and culture of the city, including rare materials that are not found in other libraries or archives. In addition, you can also find the 800-year-old Pagoda of Monk Wansong, a beautiful nine-storey octagonal pagoda from the Yuan Dynasty in their courtyard. 

 Open 9.30am-6.30pm Mon-Fri, 9am-8pm Sat-Sun.

Business contact: Jenny 13811514232(wechat)

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