We’ve all dreamed of it. That moment in the stories where the ordinary world falls away, and you step into a place where magic feels not just possible, but palpable.
ZhongShuGe 钟书阁, often hailed as China’s most beautiful chain of bookstores, is a testament to the idea that a bookstore should be more than a repository of stories; it should be a story in itself. It’s a place that reminds you that magic isn’t about waving a wand, but about the feeling you get when you step into a space built with wonder, where every corner holds a new discovery. This isn’t just a place to buy a book. It’s an experience, a spell, a labyrinth of literature that will leave you breathless.
ZhongShuGe 钟书阁 is located at No.1 Zhizhen Road, 2F Chengdu Rongchuanmao Mall, Dujiangyan, Chengdu, China.
Upon entering the bookstore, the first thing that steals the air from your lungs is the archway of books. Imagine a cathedral, but instead of stone, its soaring arches are built entirely from countless leather-bound volumes, curving and twisting towards the mirrored ceiling. You’ve been transported to the Hogwarts library after it fused with a modern, sleek interior space.
Walk further in, and you’ll find yourself on a walkway that seems to float over a reflective, dark floor, mirroring the towering shelves, creating an infinite, dizzying cascade of books.
Staircases lead you to quiet nooks and crannies, each one a perfect setting for a witch or wizard to study their Charms text. The balcony opens up to the entire space is a masterpiece of dark wood, dramatic lighting, and mirrored walls that amplify the sense of endless, hidden knowledge.
This place is popular. To capture its magic without a crowd of fellow wizards, try visiting on a weekday morning. The early bird catches the quietest, most photogenic moments.
While the aesthetic is a love letter to magical academia, the books themselves are a treasure trove. You’ll find a rich collection of literature, though a significant portion is in Chinese. Don’t let that deter you. There is a curated selection of English-language books, art tomes, and stunning design books that are worth the visit alone. I walked away with a beautifully illustrated edition of “Journey to the West” that felt perfectly thematic.
ZhongShuGe is a testament to the idea that a bookstore should be more than a repository of stories; it should be a story in itself. It’s a place that reminds you that magic isn’t about waving a wand, but about the feeling you get when you step into a space built with wonder, where every corner holds a new discovery.
