Related stories

Beijing to Build Permanent Home for Street Children Beijing Gears up for 2008 Beijing Earmarks Millions for Art and Culture Venues Beijing Olympics Calls On More Attention International Media Center Projected for Xuanwumen

Beijing's Cosy Bookstore for Ladies

s the cultural centre of China, Beijing has bookstores that offer one-stop services and bookstores specializing in specific categories of books, such as art, literature, fashion or books for children and more. Since March marks the beginning of spring and since March 8 is International Women’s Day, it’s a good time women to get out and about in the city; so this issue of BTM focuses on bookstores suitable for women.

In today’s China, women have the same wisdom and desire to learn and explore as men. Their book selections vary widely according to individual personalities, interests, work, their family atmospheres and other factors. However, in general, women in Beijing prefer books about literature, art, fashion, food and travel, and they like to make their purchases in clean and inviting bookstore environments. As a result, tidy and comfortable bookstores are more suitable than complex and crowded book buildings. The following bookstores are highly recommended. 

Sanlian Taofen Bookstore near National Art Museum of China is one of the best. It was established in the 1930s by the famous Chinese patriot Zhou Taofen in Shanghai, but moved to Beijing in 1951. The bookstore features literary and art books and magazines, including classical and contemporary Chinese works and Chinese translations of popular western books. In the store’s basement, there are shelves of books analyzing and remarking on The Dream of Red Chamber. Address: 22 Meishuguan Dongjie, Dongcheng District. Tel: +86 10 6400 1122.

The o2sun Bookstore in Haidian District’s Wudao-kou area is an unusual 24-hour, two-storey bookstore owned by a woman Sun Chi from South China’s Xiamen. On the first floor customers will find recently published Chinese and foreign novels, and mini books, cards for many occasions and musical CDs. Melodious music provides easy listening in the coffee shop on the second floor, where reasonably priced food can be purchased. Many Chinese and foreign students and white-collar readers like to enjoy reading in the coffee house, some for as much as a half day or more. In addition to the coffee shop and the store’s novels, travel books and English-language books, there are other attractions. Sunflowers and soft lighting help with creating a quiet and comfortable atmosphere. Nearby clothing and accessories stores and world-cuisine restaurants can make a whole day at o2sun cheerful. Address: west of the Wudaokou light-railway station on the Beijing Subway’s Line 13. Tel: +86 10 8286 3033.

When speaking of bookstores that perfectly match reading with coffee in Beijing, no one can ignore the Bookworm in Sanlitun, an expatriate favourite. With something for everyone, the Bookworm is a bookshop and a lending library, offering 16,000 volumes on loan and a “Kiddie’s Corner” on its second floor and a restaurant with western food and drink on its first. The foreign-language books available are among the best; its environment is welcoming. Address: No. 4 Building, Sanlitun Nanjie. Tel: +86 10 6416 7154.

Several new bookstores have opened in the popular 798 Art Area. Most of the books sold have something to do with art or literature, architecture, photography, fashion, travel and food. Many were imported. This is a place suitable for fans of the avant-garde art and fashionable. Time Zone 8 is representative, but newcomers include the Libreria Libre-échange.

Our final offering is The One Way Street Bookstore located within the Ruins of Yuanmingyuan, a former imperial garden known as the Old Summer Palace or more romantically as The Garden of Perfection and Light and The Garden of Ten Thousand Springtimes, which was destroyed by war in 1860. The bookstore is surrounded by plants and basks in sunlight, while offering cosy sofas for reading, rest and relaxation. It takes about 20 minutes to get acquainted with its detailed classifications of books, which are mostly about art and literature. Salons are held each week focusing on these two subjects. The salons are free and open to anyone who loves art and literature. Address: North Twelfth Courtyard, inside East Gate of the Ruins of Yuanmingyuan. Tel: +86 10 6257 0357.