Chongqing South Road - Bookstore Street Introduction
● Introduction: Chongqing South Road, originally known as Fuqian Street and Wenwu Street, is a historic bookstore street in Taiwan. At its peak, there were over a hundred bookstores and publishing houses, making it a favored spot for many writers, intellectuals, and students who enjoyed wandering here for an afternoon. For them, this bookstore street was akin to their own Xinyi District, their shopping paradise, and it is fair to say that this street has nurtured many of Taiwan's elites. However, due to multiple factors, there has been a gradual decline in the bookstore street, with most of the well-known major publishers still standing strong. Nevertheless, Chongqing South Road remains the road with the highest density of bookstores in the Taipei area. ● Features and Recommendations: During the Japanese colonial period, the "Taiwan Book Company" was established on Chongqing South Road, specializing in printing textbooks of the time. After the end of the colonial period, it was renamed "Taiwan Bookstore." The literary atmosphere on Chongqing South Road has a historical context. Even now, a large number of bookstores line the street, and you can find books in any field or for any purpose here. Unfortunately, due to market changes, a decline in readers, and the impact of online bookstores, the number of bookstores in this area has significantly decreased. Nonetheless, even so, the bookstore street still holds an important position, with many publishers and bookstores continuing to strive here to serve readers. Upon entering, one can immediately sense the strong aroma of books. Picking up a book and reading slowly, savoring the parts you love, the hours pass quickly in the immersed world of literature. This feeling is shared by many who visit bookstores on Chongqing South Road. Known for its long history, it’s said that during its peak, there were over a hundred bookstores and publishing houses! Notable old bookstores include San Min Bookstore, which boasts nearly 150,000 titles and pioneered the "library-style" bookstore concept, allowing visitors to experience the vast realm of knowledge while browsing. Other unique stores include Rulin Bookstore, Shi Jie Bookstore, and Tian Long Bookstore, with approximately 20-30 bookstores each, all offering their own distinctive charm.
