Boasting a 300‑year history, the renovated Xidan Hotel has reopened as a new cultural landmark in Beijing's Xicheng District. Come immerse yourself in books in late summer and early autumn.

Former Site of Xidan Hotel Reopens to Public

Following three years of restoration, the former site of Xidan Hotel has opened to the public as a project of cultural heritage revitalization. Its first floor features a traditional stage for regular performances of folk-art forms, such as pingshu (评书, a way of storytelling) and Beijing-style drum performances. On the second floor, a studio for three renowned folk‑art masters, including Wang Yuebo, will support the preservation and inheritance of intangible cultural heritage skills. In addition, there are private rooms and tea rooms for intimate gatherings. The first branch of the popular Xuannan Bookstore has now been relocated to this venue.

Zhongshuge Bookstore (Zhongguancun Dongsheng Science and Technology Park Branch)

The new Zhongshuge Bookstore within Zhongguancun Dongsheng Science and Technology Park integrates Beijing‑style aesthetics with a curated blend of experiences—offering cozy reading spaces, a café for leisurely coffee breaks, family‑friendly activities, and casual workspaces. Its signature feature is a spiral staircase in a striking red color reminiscent of the grand Forbidden City walls, a standout space where every snapshot feels like an art piece.

Zhengyang Bookstore (Qianmen Branch)

The new Zhengyang Bookstore, a small building reconstructed on its original site, recreates its historic design. The ground floor serves as a book‑retail space, while the second floor showcases original ornaments designed by the bookstore, which draw inspiration from Beijing's historical and cultural elements and museum collections.

Xinhua Bookstore (Xiangshan Cultural Space)

Located beside Fenglin Village in the Fragrant Hills Park, this Xinhua Bookstore is the first such outlet located within a municipal park in Beijing. Unlike conventional bookstores, it adopts a business model covering books, souvenirs, light refreshments, and public events. It serves both as a rest stop for hikers and a cultural venue for park visitors.

Beijing Library

Ginkgo trees and leaves serve as the core design motifs for this library. Upon entry, visitors feel like stepping into a serene, beautiful ginkgo forest.

The Metaverse Experience Hall inside the library attracts large numbers of visitors. AI digital humans powered by large language models can engage in free-form conversations with visitors. Guests may take on digital human avatars to explore a virtual world of books or "speak" with historical figures brought to life from ancient texts.

After exploring the library's literary atmosphere, visitors may move on to the adjacent Grand Canal Museum of Beijing, which showcases an impressive collection of valuable cultural relics, models of ancient ships, and a sand table telling the history of the Grand Canal. Current exhibitions include "Prosperity and Sustainability: An Exhibition of the History and Culture of Beijing and the Grand Canal" and "Enamel Glazed Ceramics from the Palace Museum Collection."

(Source: Official WeChat account of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism)