Hutong keeps books alive
Independent bookstores in historic hutong foster reading, community engagement, and cultural heritage, offering spaces where literature, creativity, and human connection thrive.
"Wansheng, with its focus on the humanities and social sciences, has a real gift for choosing books," he said.
He attributes this to Liu Suli, the bookstore's owner — a Peking University graduate in international politics who has published extensively in social science journals. That background, Wang believes, explains why Wansheng's shelves are filled with a thoughtfully curated mix of academic works, literature, and history titles, often arranged by theme to inspire deeper exploration.
Building thought
While many bookstores today double as cafes, Wansheng serves no drinks — preserving its original, book-centered atmosphere. "Towering shelves full of books surround you, creating a sense of grounded simplicity," Wang said.
For Wang, reading is a discipline — a way to cultivate thought. While many readers focus on an author's conclusions, he is more interested in how the author gets there.
"When I read philosopher Chen Jiaying's reflections on education, indoctrination, and brainwashing, I pay attention to why he connects these ideas and how his reasoning unfolds, rather than the final view he reaches," Wang said. "True reading, to me, means sharpening my own mind through a dialogue with the author."
