The most beautiful bookshop in China is hidden in an underground parking lot. "Here in Librairie Avant-Garde, reading is our religion and this place is the heaven for readers," says Zhang Xing, manager of the shop beneath Wutaichan Stadium in Nanjing.
Librairie Avant-Garde, Wutaishan, Nanjing —
The most beautiful bookshop in China is hidden in an underground parking lot. "Here in Librairie Avant-Garde, reading is our religion and this place is the heaven for readers," says Zhang Xing, manager of the shop beneath Wutaichan Stadium in Nanjing.
courtesy Librairie Avant-Garde
Librairie Avart-Garde has "turned something rotten into a miracle," says owner Qian Xiaohua, 52, quoting an old Chinese maxim to explain the unusual location.
Entrance —
Librairie Avart-Garde has "turned something rotten into a miracle," says owner Qian Xiaohua, 52, quoting an old Chinese maxim to explain the unusual location.
Hiufu Wong/CNN
Being a staffer is no small task. "Some are poets, some are writers, but we all love books," says manager Zhang. "We always kid that if all of us gather our own collections of books, we can open another book shop. We have a 30-minute staff meeting every morning -- to share a movie we saw, a book we read or other things that inspire us."
Intellectual staff —
Being a staffer is no small task. "Some are poets, some are writers, but we all love books," says manager Zhang. "We always kid that if all of us gather our own collections of books, we can open another book shop. We have a 30-minute staff meeting every morning -- to share a movie we saw, a book we read or other things that inspire us."
Hiufu Wong/CNN
You may not find best-sellers or latest releases here, but the shop says it has the widest range of humanities titles in China.
Humanities bookshop —
You may not find best-sellers or latest releases here, but the shop says it has the widest range of humanities titles in China.
Hiufu Wong/CNN
"Avant-garde people are the most forward, most innovative, with a strong opinion and are not easily influenced," says owner Qian.
Proud to be different —
"Avant-garde people are the most forward, most innovative, with a strong opinion and are not easily influenced," says owner Qian.
Hiufu Wong/CNN
Librairie Avant-Garde includes a creative workshop where local designs are sold. Some compare Librairie Avant-Garde's diversified cultural experience to the Taiwanese creative book shop, Eslite.
Creative corridor —
Librairie Avant-Garde includes a creative workshop where local designs are sold. Some compare Librairie Avant-Garde's diversified cultural experience to the Taiwanese creative book shop, Eslite.
Hiufu Wong/CNN
There are no windows, nor many colors in the bookshop, other than book spines. Yet customers queue in front of the store every morning. "One reader who came here all the time applied for a security guard position in the shop," says Zhang. "Just to stay close to the place."
Customers becomes employees —
There are no windows, nor many colors in the bookshop, other than book spines. Yet customers queue in front of the store every morning. "One reader who came here all the time applied for a security guard position in the shop," says Zhang. "Just to stay close to the place."
Hiufu Wong/CNN
The bookstore provides hundreds of seats where people can read and spend their days. "Where can you see a bookshop with readers waiting in line before the shop opens?" asks Qian. "I don't worry about selling books. We believe if people are willing to come and stay, we will eventually make business."
Come in, take a seat —
The bookstore provides hundreds of seats where people can read and spend their days. "Where can you see a bookshop with readers waiting in line before the shop opens?" asks Qian. "I don't worry about selling books. We believe if people are willing to come and stay, we will eventually make business."
Hiufu Wong/CNN
This corner honors global intellectuals, not something found in a typical bookshop in China.
Intellectual corner —
This corner honors global intellectuals, not something found in a typical bookshop in China.
Hiufu Wong/CNN
The shop has a permanent display of beautiful books. "We don't just sell books, we want to sell a lifestyle," says Qian. "I like to consider it 'bookshop neo-aestheticism.'"
Beautiful books exhibit —
The shop has a permanent display of beautiful books. "We don't just sell books, we want to sell a lifestyle," says Qian. "I like to consider it 'bookshop neo-aestheticism.'"
Hiufu Wong/CNN
Qian's open office inside the bookshop has no computer -- it's a room full of packed bookshelves. Even the desk is made of bookshelves.
Office without a computer —
Qian's open office inside the bookshop has no computer -- it's a room full of packed bookshelves. Even the desk is made of bookshelves.
Hiufu Wong/CNN
Pipes and fluorescent lamps combine for an unlikely beauty.
Odd fit —
Pipes and fluorescent lamps combine for an unlikely beauty.
Hiufu Wong/CNN
Photos of bookshops around the world adorn the walls. Qian takes the pictures when traveling. "I have visited 46 book shops in the U.S. and 36 in the UK," he says.
When a real reader travels ... —
Photos of bookshops around the world adorn the walls. Qian takes the pictures when traveling. "I have visited 46 book shops in the U.S. and 36 in the UK," he says.
Hiufu Wong/CNN
The coffee shop stocks a shelf of books that aren't for sale. Some are from Qian's private collection.
More books in the coffee shop —
The coffee shop stocks a shelf of books that aren't for sale. Some are from Qian's private collection.
Hiufu Wong/CNN