From ancient Chinese aesthetics to sleek modern design, Shanghai has some of the most stunning libraries and bookstores you will encounter. These are not just places to read, but destinations where each architectural design tells a story of its own. Whether you are drawn to classical rooftops, futuristic glass towers, or cozy heritage houses, each space offers a unique experience for book lovers and architecture enthusiasts.

Yangpu Library

Widely known as a place in Shanghai that resembles the Forbidden City, Yangpu Library is a building you can truly read. It features traditional Chinese architectural elements such as glazed yellow tiles, double-eave hip roofs, and flying eaves with bracket sets.

Originally built in 1934, the library has been listed as a protected heritage site in Shanghai. Designed by renowned architect Dong Dayou, it masterfully blends classical Chinese palace aesthetics with modern Western structural techniques, a groundbreaking approach at the time.

If you go: No 366 Changhai Road, Yangpu district

Pudong Library

From a distance, Pudong Library looks like a giant bookshelf, a clean-cut rectangular building with simple and pure lines. Step inside, and you will find an elevated garden at the heart of the space, open to the sky and filled with natural light.

The library houses a rich collection of both print and digital books, offering more than 3,000 reading seats. It remains the largest district-level public library in Shanghai in terms of both space and service capacity.

If you go: No 88 Qiancheng Road, Pudong New Area

Hoshu Superyacht

Opened in 2026, Hoshu Superyacht sits along the Suzhou Creek in the North Bund area. This "superyacht" is not an actual vessel but Shanghai's first reading space dedicated to world literary classics. It holds 2,500 timeless works and brings together reading, cultural products, dining, performances, exhibitions, and markets.

The space features a rare collection of works by Nobel Prize in Literature laureates, with 218 titles from 115 prize winners. Another special section on Shanghai-style literature presents 32 collector's editions by 16 local writers, inviting visitors to revisit the city's literary memories.

If you go: Near Waibaidu Bridge, North Bund, Hongkou district

Duoyun Bookstore

Perched on the 52nd floor of the Shanghai Tower at 239 meters high, Duoyun Bookstore is the tallest bookstore in Shanghai. The interior design evokes a hidden landscape of mountains and waters, while the terrace offers sweeping views of the Oriental Pearl Tower.

The space is divided into several themed sections to suit a range of tastes. The store also hosts new book launches and author talks, making it a popular gathering place for literature and art lovers.

If you go: 52nd Floor, Shanghai Tower, No 501 Middle Yincheng Road, Pudong New Area

Zhongshuge Bookstore

Located in Thames Town in Songjiang district, Zhongshuge was once hailed as one of Shanghai's most beautiful bookstores. The exterior is modeled after a British-style manor with dark red brick walls, while a steel-framed glass facade displays the scripts of over 20 languages, making the building itself look like an open book.

Inside, visitors are greeted by glass floors, Gothic arches, a starry ceiling, and a maze-inspired layout that together create an immersive and dreamlike atmosphere.

If you go: Thames Town, Alley 900, North Sanxin Road, Songjiang district

JIC Books

Overlooking the bustling waterfront of the Huangpu River, JIC Books has a quiet and understated charm. Its reading room, with its old-world atmosphere, is a popular retreat for book lovers in Shanghai.

As a biography-themed bookstore, JIC organizes its collection from a biographical perspective, telling cultural stories through the lives of well-known figures. Even the backs of the chairs in the cafe feature biographical notes, and similar thoughtful details can be found throughout the space.

If you go: Building 8, No 18 Gongping Road, Hongkou district

Tsutaya Books

Tsutaya Books, the renowned Japanese bookstore chain with over 1,100 stores worldwide, has opened a glass-walled store at Taikoo Li Qiantan. This is the brand's second store in Shanghai.

The interior features rows of natural wood bookshelves, creating a clean and minimalist look. Natural light streams in from the roof, offering a relaxed space where visitors can enjoy sunshine, coffee, books, and magazines.

If you go: Taikoo Li Qiantan, Alley 500, Dongyu Road, Pudong New Area

Film Books

Housed in a century-old Spanish-style villa on Anfu Road, Film Books is easily recognized by its triple arched doorways, a popular photo spot for visitors.

The building once served as the office of the Shanghai Film Distribution and Exhibition Company. Today, it has been transformed into a film-themed bookstore, featuring more than 600 film-related titles, including original novels, biographies of filmmakers, cinema critique, and technical references. Every book here is a treasure for cinema lovers.

If you go: 1st Floor, No 322 Anfu Road, Xuhui district

 

Sources: Libraries and bookstores mentioned above