The interior of Zhanqiao Bookstore [Photo/Qingdao Today]?

Navy-blue, wave-shaped ceiling, sea gull hanging ornaments, white-ship- and vortex-shaped book shelves, ship nose-shaped stage, fishing net with books in it…These are?all internal design elements?of a new bookstore in Qingdao.

Opened on September 30, Zhanqiao Bookstore is Qingdao’s first bookstore that focuses on the theme of international cultural backpacking.

Located on what used to be the Xinhua Bookstore (Shinan), the new bookstore has attracted much attention even before its opening because of?its distinctive interior fittings and theme.

The store, designed by San Shi, a writer, publisher and bookstore spatial designer, was positioned as a reading space that integrates the Internet, books, tourism, food and publishing for cultural backpackers around the world. It represents a new mode of integrating reading culture with tourism culture and is expected to become a new cultural landmark and an international calling card of Qingdao.

The old conventional layout of a bookstore was scrapped. On the first floor of the 1,500-square-meter new store are books on literature, art and tourism, original English, French, Japanese and Korean books as well as cultural and creative products.

The bookstore also?contains a professional stage for reading activities and art performances.

The bookstore also has plans to organize a Reciting Program, writer-reader meetings, new book launches as well as small-scale music, dancing and drama salons in the future.