The China Bookstore Gallery stands out for its curved, traditional wooden storefront, which holds a collection of ancient books and woodblock prints in a city that frequently replaces the old with the new. Founded in nineteen fifty-two,…
Liulichang Antiquarian Books
This walking tour takes you through Beijing's historic scholar street to discover centuries-old bookshops, master brush makers, and traditional woodblock printing workshops.
Listen to this tour in the Mira app →
1. China Bookstore Gallery
2. Rongbaozhai Muban Shuiyin Gongyifang
The woodblock watermark studio in Rongbaozhai displays a distinctive, low-slung traditional tiled roof set against the modern storefronts of Liulichang Street. It preserves a technique called douban shuiyin, a method of printing that…
3. Yide Pavilion
The Yide Pavilion features a distinctive, flared roofline tucked into a quiet corner of the Xicheng District. Built during the Qing dynasty, the structure served as a private garden retreat for high-ranking officials seeking distance from…
4. China Bookstore
The China Bookstore in Beijing features a distinctive, traditional gray brick facade topped with sweeping, curved roof tiles that set it apart from the surrounding modern glass structures. Established in nineteen fifty-two, it became the…
5. Jiguge
Jiguge is a Qing dynasty courtyard house defined by its deep gray brick walls and curved roof tiles. It stands as a rare surviving example of a private residence built for a mid-level government official during the eighteenth century.…
6. Daiyuexuan
The Daiyuexuan ink brush shop occupies a narrow storefront distinguished by a wooden plaque with gold calligraphy. Founded in nineteen twenty-six by brush-maker Dai Yue-ting, the shop became a destination for Beijing’s scholars and…