Discover the most exquisite and unique bookstore in China.

Amidst the absence of dazzling lights and a glamorous facade, just follow the golden path to an underground parking lot, and there unveils the most beautiful and distinctive bookstore in China.

Before Mr. Thien Tieu Hoa, the proprietor of Librairie Avant-Garde, acquired the expansive 4,000-square-meter underground space beneath the Nanjing Olympic Sports Center in 1999, it served as the government's parking lot, and prior to that, it was a bomb shelter. Explaining the choice of this location to establish the store, he stated: 'We chose this parking lot because it is adjacent to Nanjing University. This place has become a second library for the students.'

Rather than displaying best-selling books, visitors to this establishment will encounter a sculpture named 'The Thinker' by the sculptor Rodin. Moreover, the checkout counter crafted from thousands of old books leaves a notable impression. As a follower of Christianity, Mr. Thien has transformed this place into a humane bookstore. 'At Librairie Avant-Garde, reading is a religion, and this place is a paradise for book lovers,' he expressed.

The main hall of this distinctive bookstore serves as a venue for forums and concerts. Additionally, there is a cozy café used as a space to showcase aesthetically pleasing book covers. Furthermore, Mr. Thien adorns the ceiling with his favorite art pieces and engraves famous poems on the store's columns.

Despite being opened with the primary goal of selling books, the owner himself sees his business more akin to a public library. Inside the store are two long tables and over 300 seats for those who enjoy reading right within the bookstore. This has generated an allure for book enthusiasts. A student from Nanjing University shared: 'I frequently come here because the store offers a wide variety of books, and the staff doesn't differentiate in treating those who come here just to read without making a purchase.'

Beyond the main store near the university, Librairaie Avant-Garde boasts two additional branches in Nanjing—one within the Presidential Palace and another in the historic Vô Tích quarter. However, it is the unique location and design of the main store that truly captivates many tourists. 'Librairie Avant-Garde has inadvertently become a city landmark. Travelers come here to explore, exchange cultural experiences, and meet others.'

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Source: Travel guide Mytour – According to Depplus.vn