Historical Background
North Bookstore Street (Beishudian Jie) in Kaifeng is one of the world’s rare streets named after bookstores—a distinction it shares only with Tokyo’s famed Kanda Book Town. Yet while Kanda’s history spans just over a century, North Bookstore Street’s roots stretch back more than 1,000 years to the Northern Song Dynasty (960–1127 CE). Originally known as Gaotou Street during the Song era, this thoroughfare sat adjacent to the imperial palace and served as a bustling commercial hub for scholars, officials, and merchants. Traders sold fine silks, calligraphy scrolls, classical texts, antiques, traditional Chinese medicines, and scholarly accoutrements—making it the intellectual and cultural heart of the capital.
Architectural Charm
Stretching just over 600 meters from Drum Tower Square in the south to East-West Main Street in the north, North Bookstore Street preserves the architectural aesthetics of late Qing Dynasty China. The street is lined with two-story timber-and-brick structures featuring grey Qing-style tiles, whitewashed mortar joints, upturned eaves, and ornate ridge decorations. These buildings exude a serene, scholarly elegance that transports visitors back to an age when inkstones and brushwork defined prestige. Many facades retain original carvings and signage, blending historical authenticity with gentle modernization.
Cultural Significance
The street earned its current name during the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty (mid-18th century), when it became renowned for its concentration of bookshops, stationery stores, and art dealers specializing in the “Four Treasures of the Study”—brush, inkstick, paper, and inkstone. Today, over 40 bookstores and more than 100 cultural supply shops continue this legacy, offering everything from antique manuscripts and reproduction Song-era prints to contemporary Chinese literature and calligraphy kits. It remains a pilgrimage site for bibliophiles, students of Chinese history, and lovers of traditional aesthetics.
Historic Landmarks Along the Way
At the northern entrance stands a striking memorial archway that welcomes visitors into this literary sanctuary. Just west of this gate lies the former site of the Henan-Shaanxi Regional Committee of the Chinese Communist Party—a modest but historically significant building where revolutionary figures Wang Ruofei and Xiao Chunu once organized underground activities in the 1920s. At the southern end, the Qing-era “Jinyangyu” shop, founded during the Xianfeng reign (1851–1861), features a beautifully preserved façade crowned by a carved stone relief of the “Peach of Immortality” held by the God of Longevity. Once a general store selling dried fruits, pastries, and sundries, it now operates as a thematic bookstore blending heritage commerce with literary curation.
Visitor Experience
Strolling down North Bookstore Street feels like walking through a living museum of Chinese scholarly culture. Unlike crowded commercial alleys elsewhere, this lane maintains a contemplative pace. Visitors can browse rare editions in family-run bookshops, watch artisans hand-grind inksticks, or sip tea in courtyard cafés tucked behind latticed windows. Many shops encourage quiet exploration, and it’s not uncommon to strike up a conversation with a bookseller who might share stories about Song Dynasty printing techniques or recommend a classic novel with handwritten notes in the margins. Seasonal events—such as calligraphy exhibitions during the Spring Festival or poetry recitals on Mid-Autumn night—add layers of cultural immersion.
Practical Notes for International Travelers
While signage is primarily in Chinese, many larger bookstores now offer English-language guides or bilingual staff, especially near the Drum Tower end. Cash is still preferred in smaller stalls, though mobile payments (Alipay/WeChat Pay) are increasingly accepted. The street is pedestrian-only, making it safe and pleasant for leisurely walks. Photography is generally allowed, though always ask before photographing shop interiors or people. For those seeking souvenirs, look for handmade bookmarks, replica Song-dynasty woodblock prints, or locally bound notebooks—ideal mementos that honor the street’s literary spirit.