At the Third National Conference on Reading in Kunming, Yunnan province, which took place from April 23 to 25, 53 outstanding bookstores from across the nation, including renowned establishments such as the Wangfujing Bookstore in Beijing and the Fangsuo Bookstore in Shaanxi province’s Xi’an, were lauded with the prestigious title of “Most Beautiful Bookstore of the Year”.
This diverse selection of bookstores encompasses both revitalized traditional Chinese brands and burgeoning private labels, ranging from expansive book malls to smaller chain bookstores, and from campus bookstores to theme bookshops dedicated to regional aesthetics and traditional culture. This broad spectrum reflects the dynamic transformation and evolution of physical bookstores in recent years, showcasing a rich tapestry of offerings to cater to diverse reading preferences.
During the unveiling ceremony, Liu Xiaokai, director of the printing and distribution department of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, emphasized the pivotal role of physical bookstores and bookstore practitioners in supporting the vigorous development of national reading. He underscored the indispensable nature of active participation and the need to leverage digital technologies to enhance the connection between physical bookstores and readers, emphasizing the imperative of meeting people’s evolving needs.
The “Most Beautiful Bookstore of the Year” release event, an integral component of the National Conference on Reading, has been a recurring highlight since 2022, with a total of 149 bookstores having been honored over three consecutive sessions. This ongoing tradition serves as a testament to the commitment to excellence and continual innovation within the realm of physical bookstores, celebrating their pivotal role in fostering a vibrant reading culture across the nation.