<strong>Taiwan's pitch-dark bookstore: </strong>Wuguan Books is an experimental bookstore where readersshop in extreme darkness except for the dim spotlights on each of the book covers and reading lights on some desks.
Taiwan's pitch-dark bookstore: Wuguan Books is an experimental bookstore where readersshop in extreme darkness except for the dim spotlights on each of the book covers and reading lights on some desks.
courtesy Lee Kuo-min
<strong>'Floating books' design: </strong>The design creates the illusion that the books are floating while the rest of the environment disappears.
'Floating books' design: The design creates the illusion that the books are floating while the rest of the environment disappears.
courtesy Lee Kuo-min
<strong>400 books per day: </strong>Wuguan Books don't pride themselves on a massive collection. There are only 400 bookshelves in the shop -- one per "floating" book.
400 books per day: Wuguan Books don't pride themselves on a massive collection. There are only 400 bookshelves in the shop -- one per "floating" book.
courtesy Lee Kuo-min
<strong>A sensory journey: </strong>"Wuguan isn't a very dark bookstore. It's a new sensory experience journey," Su Yu-shan, the shop manager, tells CNN Travel.
A sensory journey: "Wuguan isn't a very dark bookstore. It's a new sensory experience journey," Su Yu-shan, the shop manager, tells CNN Travel.
courtesy Lee Kuo-min
<strong>Darkness set readers free: </strong>"In this environment, you're free to be yourself, to communicate with your soul -- your truest self," says Su.
Darkness set readers free: "In this environment, you're free to be yourself, to communicate with your soul -- your truest self," says Su.
courtesy Lee Kuo-min
<strong>Entrance hall: </strong>This is why the entrance of Wuguan is decorated as a Chinese-style mourning hall. It's a metaphor for visitors to let go of the images and judgments that have held them back.
Entrance hall: This is why the entrance of Wuguan is decorated as a Chinese-style mourning hall. It's a metaphor for visitors to let go of the images and judgments that have held them back.
courtesy Lee Kuo-min
<strong>Not doing it for the 'gram: </strong>"Visiting Wuguan, it's to spend time with yourself and find a book that can resonate with you, instead of taking Instagram beauty shots," says Su.
Not doing it for the 'gram: "Visiting Wuguan, it's to spend time with yourself and find a book that can resonate with you, instead of taking Instagram beauty shots," says Su.
courtesy Lee Kuo-min
<strong>Beyond books: </strong>The bookstore is also home to a small shop section selling an eclectic mix of home accessories and sex toys, as well as a coffee bar.
Beyond books: The bookstore is also home to a small shop section selling an eclectic mix of home accessories and sex toys, as well as a coffee bar.
courtesy Lee Kuo-min