It's never too late to open a book. In these gem bookstores in Hongkou district, you can not only wander through the world of books but also explore a variety of exciting activities. Let's take a look at four selected bookstores and their nearby scenic attractions.

Dayin Bookmall Heping Park Magazines Tea House

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 10 am-10 pm

Address: Lakeside of Heping Park (near Gate 5 on Dalian Road)

Nestled in Heping Park, Dayin Bookmall Heping Park Magazines Tea House is a tranquil oasis in the bustling city, surrounded by lush greenery and designed to resemble a "big book" by the water.

Dayin Bookmall Heping Park Magazines Tea House resembles a "big book" by the water. [Photo/WeChat account: hongkouly]

This unique bookstore offers over 1,500 periodicals from more than 20 countries, including renowned local magazines like Harvest. With its extensive collection, it is the physical bookstore with the largest collection of periodicals in China.

Upon entering the bookstore, climb the spiral staircase to the second floor to enjoy the serene view of a lotus pond outside the window, reminiscent of Monet's Garden.

The spiral staircase in the bookstore. [Photo/WeChat account: hongkouly]

At Dayin Bookmall, every book is available for reading, borrowing, and purchasing, providing a comprehensive service for readers. Additionally, the bookstore features themed teas inspired by the "Eight Views of Heping Park", allowing readers to indulge in the joy of reading amidst the fragrance of flowers and the shimmering reflections of water.

Heping Park is also home to Shanghai's first 24-hour park library, the Heping Library, which opened on April 23, 2024. This library offers diverse reading scenarios, extending public reading into the urban park. Readers can enjoy leisure reading, companion reading, and outdoor reading experiences.

The Heping Library. [Photo/WeChat account: hongkouly]

In the future, the library will offer cultural activities such as reading sharing sessions, new book releases, parent-child interactions, themed exhibitions, art appreciation, art performances, and creative markets.

Nearby attraction: Heping Park

After the removal of its walls, Heping Park is now open 24 hours a day. The park features the "New Eight Views", a condensed version of picturesque water town scenery. It also boasts an immersive "child-friendly" playground covering approximately 8,700 square meters. The park offers activity areas catering to the exercise needs of all age groups.

Heping Park. [Photo/WeChat account: hongkouly]

Opening hours: Open 24 hours

Address: No 891 Tianbao Road, Hongkou district

1925 Bookstore

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 10 am-9 pm

Address: No 856 North Sichuan Road

1925 Bookstore. [Photo/WeChat account: hongkouly]

Situated at the crossroads of North Sichuan Road and Kunshan Road, 1925 Bookstore was formerly the Hongkou branch of the Commercial Press, established in 1925. It is a special bookstore dedicated to preserving the history of the Communist Party of China. Notably, it is the sole bookstore in Shanghai that has been in continuous operation for nearly a century.

The ambiance of the bookstore is steeped in history. Visitors pass through the Shikumen, a traditional Shanghai architectural style characterized by stone warehouses that blend Western and Chinese elements, to enter an immersive reading space that celebrates revolutionary culture.

1925 Bookstore. [Photo/WeChat account: hongkouly]

The main hall boasts green-themed chandeliers, potted plants, dark brown bookshelves, warm white wall lamps, and vibrant yellow sofas, creating a welcoming "third space" where readers can relax and indulge in reading.

Beyond its collection of revolutionary literature, the bookstore offers a variety of recent publications spanning traditional Chinese culture, the humanities, social sciences, philosophy, politics, art, and lifestyles. There is also a dedicated children's book section.

Nearby attraction: The Inlet

The Inlet. [Photo/WeChat account: hongkouly]

The Inlet consists of eight lanes, 60 Shikumen houses, and numerous historic buildings.

Restored to its original splendor, The Inlet seamlessly blends old-world architecture with contemporary trends, transforming it into a boundary-less art gallery, a fashion hub, and a cultural playground.

Address: Lane 989, North Sichuan Road

1927 Lu Xun and Uchiyama Memorial Bookstore

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 10 am-9 pm

Address: No 2056 North Sichuan Road

1927 Lu Xun and Uchiyama Memorial Bookstore. [Photo/WeChat account: hongkouly]

With its brick and wood exterior, Japanese-style wooden windows, red-tiled roof, and Chinese-style display windows, this bookstore was the site of many of Lu Xun's significant late-life activities. It served as a hub for revolutionaries and international progressive figures.

The first floor features a memorial exhibition dedicated to Lu Xun and the Uchiyama Bookstore. The main book sales area is located on the first and second floors. Additionally, the bookstore offers coffee, study spaces, and floral arrangements, with a temporary exhibition space on the third floor.

Nearby attraction: Former Residence of Lu Xun in Shanghai

Former Residence of Lu Xun in Shanghai. [Photo/WeChat account: hongkouly]

In April 1933, Lu Xun moved here from the Ramos Apartment. During his stay, he edited seven essay collections, translated numerous literary works, and met with notable figures such as former leader of CPC Qu Qiubai, renowned Chinese writer Mao Dun, and founder of the bookstore Uchiyama Kanzo.

The former residence has been restored to its original state. It includes a small courtyard in front, a living room and dining room on the ground floor, and Lu Xun's bedroom and study, as well as a storage room on the second floor, and bedrooms for Lu Xun's only son and his nanny, along with a guest room on the third floor.

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9 am-4 pm (Closed on Mondays, except public holidays)

Address: No 9 Lane 132, Shanyin Road

JIC Books (Shanghai Pujiang Shop)

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 10 am-6:30 pm

Address: First floor, Building 8, Jiayu Tower, No 18 Gongping Road

JIC Books (Shanghai Pujiang Shop). [Photo/WeChat account: hongkouly]

Nestled among office buildings and close to the bustling riverfront, JIC Books is a popular bookstore and an ideal reading space for book lovers. It features bright floor-to-ceiling windows, a large curved dome, towering book walls, and neatly arranged books.

The bookstore provides a comfortable environment for quiet reading, offering quality books, unique design, and beautiful river views. As the first bookstore in China focused on biographies, it primarily features biographical works, as well as books on humanities and social sciences.

The bookstore also hosts various cultural activities each month centered around different personalities, including book exhibitions, dramas, and city walks.

Nearby attraction: North Bund National Aviation Center

Located in the Shanghai North Bund Tourism Resort, the National Aviation Center boasts a 1-kilometer golden waterfront along the Huangpu River. It features two national first-of-their-kind in-harbor yacht docks, providing a high-end waterfront leisure destination that integrates cultural experiences, fashion, and urban recreation.

National Aviation Center. [Photo/WeChat account: hongkouly]

The Magic City Mirror, a reflective mirror at the observation platform's railing, is a must-visit spot for capturing stunning views of the Shanghai skyline.

The Magic City Mirror. [Photo/WeChat account: hongkouly]

Address: From Gongping Road in the west to Qinhuangdao Road in the east

 

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