Discovering Taipei's Three Unique Bookstores: The Most Beautiful, The Cheapest, and The Largest Secondhand Bookstore

Most Beautiful: Kuo's Astral Bookshop

Located on Dihua Street, Kuo's Astral Bookshop(郭怡美書店) is praised by netizens and readers as the most unique and "high-quality" bookstore in Taipei. The bookstore is housed in a three-story red brick building that exudes a sense of history. The stone sign outside attracts many visitors who stop to take photos. The entrance features the carved name "Guo Yi Mei" along with exquisite stone decorations, hinting at its past as a grocery store.

The stone sign at the bookstore entrance attracts many visitors for photos.

From Grocery Store to Bookstore

Historically, this building was established by the prominent Guo family, who were involved in the oil and salt business. After the family's second generation sold the property, the third generation's love for books led Guo Chongxing to buy back the building. He preserved its original appearance and transformed it into a bookstore, cultural space, and café.

Walking through a sea of books in a historic building is a true pleasure.

The bookstore has many thoughtful touches, with three levels connected by unique wooden staircases. The first floor features neatly arranged bookshelves and a comfortable reading area. One highlight is the tatami seating by the window, perfect for capturing that ideal photo moment, especially with afternoon sunlight streaming in.

Tatami seating available for reading in the store.

On the second floor, there is an art space filled with art books and a cozy room for reading. The attic serves as a small exhibition area. Additionally, the bookstore connects to a café and a children's reading area in the back, offering a serene spot for reflection after reading.

The second floor features a dedicated reading space for guests. The bookstore's floors are connected by unique wooden staircases.

Kuo's Astral Bookshop Address: No. 129, Section 1, Dihua Street, Datong District

Cheapest: Shui Zhun Bookstore

Shui Zhun Bookstore on Pucheng Street is a small shop but a paradise for book lovers.

Claiming to be "the cheapest bookstore in Taiwan," Shui Zhun Bookstore(水準書局) is located on Pucheng Street in the Daan District, near National Taiwan Normal University. Though the storefront is small and unassuming, it has gained significant notoriety, even attracting visits from Taiwan Former President Tsai Ing-wen, who filmed a short clip there.

The store may be small, but it has a big reputation.

The owner knows every book in the store and often engages customers in discussions about their reading experiences. Discounts are based on memory, and when customers bring books to the counter, the owner calculates a price that is often significantly lower than typical bookstores. Rumor has it that the owner gives even more discounts to attractive customers, making it a fun spot for book lovers to test this theory.

Shui Zhun Bookstore Address: No. 1, Pucheng Street, Daan District

Largest Secondhand Bookstore: Mollie Used Books

Mollie Used Books is the largest secondhand bookstore in Taiwan, located within the Gongguan Night Market.

In addition to new books, secondhand bookstores are great places to treasure hunt. Mollie Used Books ( 茉莉二手書店) is the largest secondhand bookstore in Taiwan, with branches in Taichung and Kaohsiung. In Taipei, it has two locations near National Taiwan University and National Taiwan Normal University. Just a five-minute walk from the NTU branch, you can find the Audio-Visual Hall, which specializes in selling used CDs, DVDs, and vinyl records.

You can find vintage magazines from Hong Kong and Taiwan inside. The bookstore features themed book sections that are updated regularly.

Within the bookstore, you can discover many out-of-print books and magazines, including vintage publications from Hong Kong and Taiwan. Unlike other second hand stores, Mollie offers an online search system to easily find books and albums, although magazines and DVDs still require an in-person visit to hunt for treasures.

Mollie Used Books Audio-Visual Hall, located near the NTU branch, has both ground and basement levels.

Mollie Used Books NTU Store Address: No. 2, Alley 40, Section 4, Roosevelt Road, Zhongzheng District