New Summer Destination in Nanjing—A Unique Bookstore in the Garden

🖼 As summer approaches, how can one avoid the high temperatures and still enjoy tranquility? I think a bookstore is a great choice! Have you ever experienced one themed around 'insects' and 'poetry'? You will definitely be amazed by its uniqueness! 🏘 Lansheng Building and Friendship Hall, both with a history of over a hundred years, have witnessed the vicissitudes and glorious past of Xuanwu Lake and even the city of Nanjing. Today, they have become the 'Insect Bookstore' and 'Poetry Bookstore'. The avant-garde has given them new vitality, artistic rendering, and a combination of history and fashion, which is the most popular trend nowadays. Even if you don't make a purchase, just picking up a book and taking a few photos in such an atmosphere is refreshing and pleasant. 🕋 It is said that Mr. Qian has been planning for these two stores in Xuanwu Lake's Liangzhou for 13 years, truly as he said: 'Continuously injecting fresh blood into the cultural revival of Nanjing.' The Insect Bookstore, located in Lansheng Building, is a joint creation by the avant-garde bookstore and the renowned bookbinding designer and artist Zhu Yingchun. It is also the only bookstore in the world themed around insects. 🕋 On one side of the entrance, there is a vintage mailbox, which I guess might be used for sending postcards in the future? Stepping into Lansheng Building, a narrow corridor leads officially into the bookstore. The entire bookstore is themed around insects, with thousands of books, you can find all kinds of books, models, souvenirs about insects, as well as Zhu Yingchun's own hand-drawn illustrations, full of wit and meticulously crafted. Here, you can take photos, read, browse, and enjoy the combination of insects with calligraphy and painting, a space of nature and cultural creativity, quiet yet full of vitality! 🖼 The second floor has windows on all sides, offering a better view. Find an afternoon, with a cup of coffee and a book, to appreciate the lake and mountains, the nature in the books, and feel how wonderful it is? 📚 Liangzhou was once the reading place for Xiao Tong, the Crown Prince Zhaoming of the Liang Dynasty, who compiled the 'Wenxuan'. Therefore, it was originally known as 'Liang Garden'. It is the earliest developed, most scenic, and most historically charming of the five continents. I think Mr. Qian chose this place not only for the natural scenery of Liangzhou but also for its rich literary atmosphere! 📖 Entering the inner room, the original Republic of China study-like structure is filled with old objects from that era. The bookcases neatly display various books, each with its own story, seemingly telling us the history of this place! Outside the room, the poetry celebrity wall is covered with portraits of famous poets from history. Below, the bookcase holds commemorative postcards, which you can take with a stamp as a souvenir, and the booklet records a brief introduction to the history of each avant-garde bookstore. And I, particularly fond of the layout style of the bookshelves, feel that this place is not just a bookstore, but also a piece of cultural and creative art! Indeed, this is the richly romantic Poetry Bookstore! 🖼 Crossing Liangzhou, there is a fan-shaped leisure area under Fang Bridge. Sitting on the bench, watching the fountain square opposite at 3 o'clock, is equally pleasant. This is the scenery left and perfected by 'China's Largest Royal Garden' of Xuanwu Lake! Nanjing, a city that blends with nature everywhere!! 📍 Location: North to Nanjing Railway Station, south to Jīnmíng Temple on Beijing East Road, east to Taiping Gate at the foot of Zijin Mountain, and west near the city wall on Central Road. Liangzhou is located on the left side of the inner ring of Xuanwu Lake. 🚗 Transportation: Metro Line 1 Xuanwumen Station