Where to read in Hangzhou – 5 spots you’ll Love

In a fast-paced society, reading offers a quiet retreat. A good reading space makes all the difference. Here are 5 bookish spots in Hangzhou — each with its own vibe, facilities, and foreigner-friendly tips.

01  Maijia Ideal Valley

Created by Hangzhou writer Mai Jia, this is a non-profit, Wi-Fi-free, non-commercial space. You can read nearly 40,000 books on site (including signed copies), with free coffee and tea. There are a few English books, and no reservation is needed — perfect for those who want to dive into deep reading.

@Maijia Ideal Valley

Address 

Building 11, West Gate, Xixi Creative Industrial Park, No. 683 Wen’er Road, Xihu District

Metro 

Line 2 → Wenxin Station, then take a 15-min walk or shared bike

Hours 

Tue–Sun 10:00–18:00 · Closed on Mondays

Who it's for 

Readers who want zero distractions and don't need to work on a laptop.

02  Zhejiang Library (Zhijiang Branch)

A landmark of modern library design with a five-story atrium and a starry ceiling. It features smart sorting robots, massive collections, and is connected to three other museums — perfect for a full cultural day out.

@Zhejiang Library

Address

Zhijiang Cultural Center, Xihu District

Metro

Line 6 → Zhijiang Road Station, then take a 10-min walk

Hours

Tue–Fri 9:00–17:00 · Sat–Sun 9:00–21:00 · Closed on Mondays

Reservation 

Via WeChat mini-program "Zhijiang Cultural Center" (Chinese only).

Tip: Use WeChat's built-in translation or ask a Chinese-speaking friend. You can also bring your passport to the information desk for on-site registration (subject to availability).

Who it's for 

Students, remote workers, museum lovers, and anyone who wants a grand, quiet reading hall.

03  Four Seasons' Gathering (Sishi Yaji)

A compound space combining books, coffee, art, and events. It features floor-to-ceiling windows and a terrace with river views. Log style, plants, a feminist book section, and pet-friendly. Regular tea ceremonies and poetry festivals.

@Sishi Yaji

Address

No. 2888, Wentao Road, Binjiang District

Metro 

Line 4 → Lianzhuang Station, then take a 15-min walk or taxi

Hours 

Mon–Tue 13:00–21:30 · Wed–Sun 10:00–21:30

Who it's for 

People who want coffee, river breeze, and pets.

04  The Ordinary Reader

A quiet, independent bookstore away from downtown chaos. No bestsellers there— instead, carefully curated books in humanities and arts. Shelves are divided into four themes: Love, Politics, Science, Art (inspired by Alain Badiou).

@The Ordinary Reader

Address

No. 2000 Shixin Bei Road, ITC Guigu International Center, Xiaoshan District

Metro

Line 2 → Zhenning Road Station, then take a 5-min walk

Hours

Daily 10:00–22:00

Who it's for

People tired of commercial bookstores who want thoughtfully selected books and a calm atmosphere.

05  Xiaoshan Library

A bright, open-plan library with plenty of seats and power outlets. It features self-service borrowing, barrier-free reading areas, and a separate reservation-only study (Yongxing Study). Most areas are no-reservation-needed.

@Xiaoshan Library

Address

No. 958 Shixin Zhong Road（inside Xiaoshan Cultural Center), Xiaoshan District

Metro 

Line 2 → Renmin Square Station, then take a 5-min walk

Hours

Daily 9:00–20:00 (Closed Mon)

Reservation (for Yongxing Study only)

Via Zheli App → search "Xiaoshan Culture and Tourism". The app is Chinese-only. For the main library area, no reservation is needed — just walk in with your ID or passport.

Who it's for

Remote workers, students, anyone needing a quiet, well-equipped public library without the hassle of booking.

Tips 

Reservation apps - Most are Chinese-only. We recommend asking a Chinese-speaking friend or using WeChat's page translation feature. Some libraries also accept walk-ins with a passport.

English book collections - Zhijiang Library (Zhijiang Branch) and The Ordinary Reader have the best selections. Others are limited.

Bringing a laptop - Xiaoshan Library and Zhijiang Library are the most laptop-friendly.

Journalist&editor: Chen Miaolin

Intern: Chen Wenqi

Senior editor: Zhou Ji, Li Zheng

Source: Hangzhoufeel