‘Book culture’ around the clock
Print Edition
For visitors wandering around the souvenir stores and restaurants on scenic Nanluoguxiang Lane in downtown Beijing, a quiet bookstore nestled in the corner of an ancient building is an oasis of calm amid the chaos.
The newest, 24-hour branch of state-owned Cathay Bookshop opened on Monday just 2 kilometers from the Forbidden City in Yanchi Tower, an ancient garrison dating back to 1420.
While local officials hope the project will help make the ancient street “affluent with book culture,” for most it is simply a pleasant change of pace for visitors to the downtown area.
“It’s nice to take a rest reading books in a historical space after walking for a long time in the hectic area,” one visitor, surnamed Yuan, said.
From the outside, the two-story hip-and-gable-roofed building, complete with blazing yellow roof tiles, reflects the building’s history.
Inside the shop sits an array of contemporary best-sellers and Chinese classics. Adults and children sit on the ground reading. On the second floor, an exhibition of ancient Chinese books drew a small crowd.
“The round-the-clock book shop offers not only antique books, but popular novels and children’s books,” said manager Yu Huagang.
“It’s a new cultural landmark in the city center.”
The idea of the ancient bookstore came in May, when local officials in Xicheng District launched a campaign to bring more book culture to the area.
The government is keen to promote reading nationwide. Favorable tax policies and funding supports have been implemented to help the country’s bookstores following the 2014 and 2015 government work reports.
Chinese leaders, including President Xi Jinping, have emphasized the importance of reading.
With state policy and financial support, enthusiasm for the printed word has picked up among the public in recent years.
Sanlian Taofen Bookstore opened its first 24-hour bookstore in Beijing in April last year. By the end of the year it saw a 58 percent increase in sales and a 111 percent increase in profits.
Zhang Yiwu, a professor at Peking University, said the 24-hour store is a good way to spread culture to Chinese people, particularly the young, many of whom are night owls.
“Many people looking for entertainment at night have little choice other than bars or nightclubs,” Zhang said. “The service not only allows young urbanites to indulge their passion for books around the clock, but also provides a platform for them to socialize and relax.”
Sun Jinsong, director with the district culture commission, said the store is a smart way to spread the Chinese culture.
“Opening a bookstore in the ancient building helps liven up the Yanchi Tower, which embodies Chinese history and culture,” Sun said. “It also enriches people’s cultural lives.”
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
