The western Pacific island of Taiwan is an emerging presence on the world’s literary stage. With a mix of trendy and traditional bookstores scattered throughout its futuristic cities, bookworms will have a field day exploring everything it has to offer.
Here are our favorites you should check out on your visit.
The 1 Bookstore
Part hostel, part shop, the 1 Bookstore houses an almost entirely Mandarin-focused collection, showcasing a wide range of works by writers from Taipei. Split between two levels, the setup provides a compact, intimate ambiance, with tiny entryways adorned with lush greenery and uniquely shaped lights reminiscent of asteroids.
An in-house café serves teas and coffees, and a reading area can be found on the second floor. Keep an eye out for the handwritten sticky notes; they include some excellent book recommendations.
Address: No. 11號, Alley 3, Lane 138, Chang'an W Rd, Datong District, Taipei City, Taiwan 103
Opening hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 2PM - 10PM
Kinokuniya Taipei Breeze Center Store
Taipei Breeze Center Store is the leading Kinokuniya branch in the city, situated on the 5th floor of Breeze Shopping Mall. This shop is well-known for its comprehensive selection of Japanese books, comics, manga, and magazines, but it also features some written in Chinese that center around Japanese culture. You’ll also come across a handful of English-written texts, too.
The interior boasts a low-hanging ceiling, with wooden display cases lined up next to each other, and several standalone tables holding a variety of items.
Address: 5f, No. 39號, Section 1, Fuxing S Rd, Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 105
Opening hours:
- Sunday to Wednesday: 11AM - 9:30PM
- Thursday to Saturday: 11AM - 10PM
Moom Bookshop
Near Taipei’s Zhongxiao Fuxing Station, Moom is an artsy shop with a strong emphasis on photobooks. Describing itself as an independent retailer, the store has curated a collection from publishers worldwide to share exceptional visual works with the broader Taiwanese public.
From time to time, attendees can participate in one of their highly sought-after photography workshops and photobook talks, held in a tastefully minimalistic-designed store defined by white décor and refined shelving.
Address: No. 16號, Alley 8, Lane 251, Section 3, Zhongxiao E Rd, Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 10654
Opening hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 12PM - 8PM
Eslite Spectrum Songyan
Consider yourself a fan of a late-night read? Eslite Spectrum Songyan is a round-the-clock bookstore that doubles as a cultural space, with not only books but also a cinema, wine cellar, and even a hotel.
One attraction that draws many bibliophiles here is Taiwan’s biggest art-centered book exhibition. But even if art isn’t your thing, you’ll also come across plenty of other options, ranging from top-sellers to rare finds.
Address: No. 88號, Yanchang Rd, Xinyi District, Taipei City, Taiwan 110
Opening hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 11AM - 10PM
TSUTAYA Bookstore at Taroko Square, Hsinchu
At Taroko Square, Hsinchu, TSUTAYA Bookstore presents an impressive display of architectural creativity. Between the wooden elements and the expensive open atrium layout that allows visibility between floors, it’s easy to get distracted by its beauty when browsing.
TSUTAYA Bookstore carries titles in both Chinese and English. After you’ve made your choice, you can search for a spot on the wooden steps to read with a coffee from the Cama Cafe located on the second floor of the store.
Address: 300, Taiwan, Hsinchu City, North District, Daya Rd, 88號b1
Opening hours:
- Monday to Friday: 11AM - 10PM
- Saturday and Sunday: 10:30AM - 10PM
Winsing Art Space 文心藝所
Find your next art-inspired read in the chic, contemporary setting of Winsing Art Space 文心藝所. When you walk in, you’ll be greeted by a fabulous art exhibition on the first floor, but to get your hands on the literature, you’ll need to head upstairs.
As you might expect, the book collection leans heavily toward art, with many titles focusing on architecture, photography, and design. Visitors can explore the ground floor for free, but to enter the bookstore itself, a small fee of NTD 150 is required.
Address: No. 6號, Alley 10, Lane 180, Section 6, Minquan E Rd, Neihu District, Taipei City, Taiwan 114
Opening hours:
- Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 10:30AM - 6:30PM
- Saturday: 11AM - 5:30PM
- Tuesday and Thursday: Closed
The Misanthrope Society
The Misanthrope Society is a bookstore with a twist. Beyond just providing great literature, they also double as a bar where dark humor thrives and readers can unite over books and a shared disdain for humanity.
An almost eerie atmosphere greets you at the front door, due to the dim lighting, but don’t let that deter you. Their catalog spans multiple genres, with many titles related to psychology, autobiographies, and even some dark novels that complement the theme.
Address: No. 1-2號, Lane 40, Section 4, Roosevelt Rd, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan 100
Opening hours:
- Sunday to Thursday: 3PM - 1AM
- Friday and Saturday: 3PM - 1:30AM
Ukou Bookstore 浮光書店
Originally an old house, Ukou Bookstore is a cozy spot in the Datong District, tucked away down a little alley. With textured brick walls, comfortable reading corners, and tasteful wooden window features that create a sense of homeliness, you’ll find it hard to pull yourself away when you’re inside.
Although the shelves are primarily filled with Chinese books, you’re welcome to bring your own, as long as you purchase something from their café.
Address: 103, Taiwan, Taipei City, Datong District, Lane 47, Chifeng St, 16號2樓
Opening hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 12PM - 10PM
Librairie Le Pigeonnier (信鴿法國書店)
Listed as the only French bookstore in Taiwan, Librairie Le Pigeonnier was established by a former French professor who once taught at National Taiwan University. The shop’s collection comprises approximately 16,000 volumes, with language learning materials, cookbooks, magazines, and other titles.
Librairie Le Pigeonnier updates its stock regularly each month, so there’s always something new on the shelves. They also occasionally host book signings and offer book clubs for those spending extended time in Taipei.
Address: 104, Taiwan, Taipei City, Zhongshan District, Lane 97, Songjiang Rd, 9號信鴿法國書店一樓
Opening hours:
- Monday to Friday: 9:30AM - 7:30PM
- Saturday and Sunday: 11AM - 7PM
Bleu & Book
Bleu & Book never fails to win over readers visiting Taipei with its gorgeous location hidden away upstairs in a building in the Huashan 1914 Creative Park. A rich array of titles on culture and social matters awaits, alongside a freshly brewed cup from their coffeehouse.
Every now and then, Bleu & Book invites musicians to play, but their main focus is to maintain a relaxed atmosphere, allowing visitors to still enjoy the bookstore’s calm charm.
Address: 100, Taiwan, Taipei City, Zhongzheng District, Section 1, Bade Rd, 1號2樓
Opening hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 9AM - 9PM
Kuo’s Astral Bookshop
Set on Taipei’s oldest street, Dihua Street, Kuo’s Astral Bookshop is housed in a historic Taiwanese-style building that dates back centuries. The floor plan guides visitors through Taiwanese cultural literature on the ground floor, international works on the second, and a dedicated poetry area on the third.
It’s impossible not to be in awe of the charm and character of Kuo Astral, from its traditional Chinese architectural elements to the display of artifacts uncovered during the building’s renovation.
Address: No. 129號, Section 1, Dihua St, Datong District, Taipei City, Taiwan 103
Opening hours:
- Monday to Friday: 12PM - 8PM
- Saturday and Sunday: 11AM - 10PM
Kingstone Books Tingzhou Store
Kingstone is a highly recognized name across Taiwan, as it’s the oldest chain to originate from the island. However, their Tingzhou Store stands out as one of the best in the city for its extensive library of books and magazines, primarily in Chinese, with a limited selection in English. Additionally, they sell a substantial amount of stationery products.
Kingstone Books Tingzhou Store presents a dynamic arrangement characterized by bright lighting, green accents, distinct seating zones, and a fresh, modern aesthetic.
Address: No. 184號, Section 3, Tingzhou Rd, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan 100
Opening hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 11AM - 10PM
