📚 Exploring Shanghai's Bookstores: A Reading Adventure from the Clouds to the Underground

Meta Description: Discover Shanghai's most captivating bookstores, from the sky-high Duoyun Books in Shanghai Tower to the historic Tsutaya Books in Columbia Circle. Your ultimate guide to the city's literary gems.

If you think Shanghai's bookstores are just places to sell books, you're missing out on the city's most captivating spiritual corners. As a native Shanghainese who has traveled to over 30 countries and visited countless bookstores, I still find myself amazed every time I return to this city by the reading spaces hidden within its urban fabric.

From a sky-high library in China's tallest building to an art space inside a century-old heritage structure, and even a fantasy bookstore that feels like an underground cave—Shanghai's reading map is far more fascinating than we ever imagined. This time, I'm taking you through seven bookstores, each with a unique style and a story worth lingering over.

🌆 Poetry in the Clouds: Duoyun Books Flagship Store – Shanghai's Highest Altitude Bookstore

Among the thousands of bookstores in Shanghai, none can challenge the "legendary status" of Duoyun Books Flagship Store. Perched on the 52nd floor of the Shanghai Tower, 239 meters above ground, it is the highest-altitude bookstore in China. Whether you're a book lover, a hipster, a trendsetter, or a photography enthusiast, this place is worth a dedicated visit.

Design Highlights: A "Secret Realm" of Black and White Landscapes

The bookstore's design draws inspiration from traditional Chinese literati landscape paintings, using black and white tones and smooth, rounded lines to create a "landscape secret realm." The north and south sections each have their own charm—the south corner overlooks the Huangpu River, while the north corner faces the Jin Mao Tower. Look up at the clouds, look down at your books—the atmosphere is simply perfect.

💡 Practical Tip: The "Cape of Good Hope" viewing areas at both corners require a purchase receipt to enter. However, one receipt now grants access to both corners, so keep it safe. The café area has an average spend of around 50 RMB, with an Americano at 30 RMB. Personally, I wouldn't recommend the "Shanghai Aroma Malt Milk Iced Coffee" (48 RMB)—the taste is, well, a bit hard to describe.

Collection and Events

Spanning over 2,000 square meters, the store houses tens of thousands of Chinese and foreign books, and features a Douban section and a London Review Bookshop section. The bookstore regularly hosts public lectures and artist exhibitions—check their official WeChat account for the latest events.

📍 Practical Info

• Address: 52F, Shanghai Tower, 501 Yin Cheng Road Middle, Pudong New Area
• Transport: Metro Line 2, Lujiazui Station, Exit 6
• Hours: 10:00 AM – 9:30 PM
• Tips: The entrance is in the Shanghai Tower office building, clearly marked. Reservations are recommended, and try to go on a sunny day—I went on an overcast day, and the glass was so dusty that the view was severely compromised. I had to rely on post-editing to salvage the photos.

🎭 The Drama of Life: Duoyun Books · Drama Store – A Themed Bookstore in Shanghai

On Christmas Eve 2020, the fifth outlet of Century Duoyun—Duoyun Books · Drama Store—opened on Changle Road, quickly becoming one of Shanghai's new trendy bookstores.

Space and Design

From the outside, the store looks modest and understated, but step inside and you'll find a hidden world—three floors above ground and one below. The layout is exquisite and clever, with every detail echoing the "drama" theme. My favorite feature is the spiral staircase on each floor, with tiny display corners tucked into the turns: a kerosene lamp paired with Love in a Puff, a baroque-style frame with Romeo and Juliet, an old Shanghai handbag with The Shanghai Aristocrats…

Among the black bookshelves, a rest area upholstered in light blue velvet cushions is designed to resemble a small stage, making it a popular spot for photos. I just have one request: please handle the books gently and don't press your face too close.

Book Selection and Merchandise

The store focuses on drama, with a total of about 12,000 books. From classic works by famous playwrights to related fields like film, animation, architecture, and psychology, the selection is both professional and accessible. The Douban and London Review Bookshop sections continue the Duoyun tradition.

The range of cultural merchandise is diverse—there's bound to be something that catches your eye.

🍰 Highly Recommended: "Drunken Beauty" at C Cafe

On the second floor, C Cafe offers a chestnut cheesecake called "Drunken Beauty" (贵妃醉酒). At 48 RMB, it's not cheap, but it's so delicious it might make you cry. Pair it with an Americano, pick a book you love, and you'll never want to leave.

📍 Practical Info

• Address: 398 Changle Road
• Transport: Metro Line 13, Huaihai Middle Road Station
• Hours: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM

🏛️ A Cultural Feast in a Century-Old Building: Tsutaya Books Shanghai – Historic Bookstore in Columbia Circle

A couple of years ago, I visited the Tsutaya Books in Tokyo's Daikanyama, one of the world's 20 most beautiful bookstores. Little did I expect that on Christmas Eve 2020, it would open in Shanghai's Columbia Circle.

A Perfect Marriage of History and Architecture

This is the first Tsutaya Books to be housed in a historic building. Its predecessor was the Columbia Country Club, a 96-year-old structure that was once the most glamorous and elegant social venue for the elite in the last century. Designed by an American architect in the Spanish style, the building has been restored to new life. The original fireplace and Corinthian columns have been preserved intact, blending the historical charm of the old architecture with the cultural depth of the bookstore.

Exhibitions and Treasures

On the first floor, a limited-time exhibition features the sculpture Throne by Japanese artist Kohei Nawa—a dazzling golden throne that looks like something out of a Saint Seiya anime. The second floor hosts a calligraphy exhibition titled "Ning" by Chinese artist Xu Jing, who famously wrote the titles for films like Hero and The Grandmaster.

Books and "Luxuries"

The first floor mainly offers literary works, while the second floor boasts an extensive collection of original art books from around the world—in terms of quantity and variety, it's hard to find a second such place in Shanghai.

As for items beyond books… let's just say they're exquisite but expensive. That limited-edition canvas bag I spotted on their WeChat account? 600 RMB each, with a one-per-person limit—I, a mere wage earner, decisively passed. The second floor also has 150 RMB art-print socks, 240 RMB fabric origami cranes, earrings for one to two thousand RMB, and a 2,000 RMB lucky cat… Everything is beautiful, but not for the average office worker.

Reservation Tips

Getting a reservation is genuinely difficult. Each person can only book one slot. After I successfully booked, my husband couldn't get in. We ended up trying our luck at the door, and thankfully the friendly staff member let him in. If you can't secure a reservation, try visiting during non-peak hours on a weekday.

📍 Practical Info

• Address: Building 7, Columbia Circle, 1262 Yan'an West Road, Changning District
• Hours: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM

🎨 A Paid Artistic Haven: ZiWU誌屋 – Shanghai's Paid Bookstore Experience

ZiWU誌屋 is a "controversial" bookstore in Shanghai—because you have to pay 50 RMB to enter. But it's precisely this barrier that makes it a rare oasis of tranquility.

The Value of 50 RMB

That 50 RMB is not just an entrance fee; it's a "pass": you can read books in the store, exchange it for a drink at the adjacent art restaurant (I chose an iced latte, which was good), and enjoy free admission to the Modern Art Base gallery and Modern Studio exhibitions—which would otherwise charge separately. More importantly, because of this 50 RMB threshold, the reading and photography experience inside becomes much more comfortable.

The Bookstore Experience

Stepping into ZiWU, the first thing that catches your eye is the famous crystal deer by Japanese artist Kohei Nawa. The space is curated like a living art magazine—hence the name "誌屋" (magazine house). The book selection focuses on art, design, photography, and architecture, with many imported titles you won't find elsewhere in Shanghai.

📍 Practical Info

• Address: 111 Jianguo Middle Road, Xuhui District
• Hours: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM (Closed Mondays)
• Admission: 50 RMB (includes drink voucher and gallery access)

❓ FAQ: Shanghai Bookstore Travel Guide

Q1: Which Shanghai bookstore is best for photography? A: Duoyun Books Flagship Store in Shanghai Tower offers unparalleled skyline views, while Tsutaya Books in Columbia Circle provides stunning historic architecture. Both are photographer favorites.

Q2: Do I need to make reservations for Shanghai bookstores? A: Yes, especially for Duoyun Books Flagship Store and Tsutaya Books. Reservations are recommended and sometimes required, particularly on weekends and holidays.

Q3: Are Shanghai bookstores expensive? A: Entry is generally free, except for ZiWU誌屋 (50 RMB). Book prices are standard, but specialty items at Tsutaya Books can be pricey. Café items range from 30-50 RMB.

Q4: Which Shanghai bookstore has the best café? A: Duoyun Books · Drama Store's C Cafe offers the famous "Drunken Beauty" chestnut cheesecake. For a more affordable option, try the Americano at Duoyun Books Flagship Store.

Q5: Can I buy English-language books in these Shanghai bookstores? A: Yes, most stores have English-language sections. Tsutaya Books and ZiWU誌屋 have particularly strong collections of imported art and design books.

📖 Your Shanghai Reading Adventure Awaits

Shanghai's bookstores are more than just places to buy books—they're cultural landmarks, architectural wonders, and peaceful retreats from the bustling city. Whether you're reading among the clouds at Duoyun Books, exploring the dramatic corridors of the Drama Store, or soaking in the historic elegance of Tsutaya Books, each visit is a unique experience.

Plan your visit today. Pack your camera, bring your curiosity, and discover why Shanghai's bookstore scene is one of the most exciting in the world. Start with the sky-high views at Duoyun Books, then work your way down to the underground gems.

[Link: Best coffee shops near Shanghai bookstores] [Link: Shanghai cultural itinerary for book lovers] [Link: How to get Shanghai Tower tickets]

Ready to explore? Share your favorite Shanghai bookstore discovery in the comments below, or tag us in your photos using #ShanghaiBookstores. Happy reading! 📚✨