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Top 5 Bookstores in Hong Kong

Top 7 Bookstores in Hong Kong

Location. One of the crucial considerations is location because it will be difficult to visit a bookshop that is located far from your home. 
 
Pricing. We picked out bookstores that have a reasonable price range, even though some may be slightly more expensive than others.
 
Selection. It’s important for bookstores to have a varied selection of books so customers can choose freely. 
 
Staff. For bookstores, it’s important to have staff that understand how some customers like to be left alone while browsing. 

1. Mount Zero

Mount Zero Homepage

Website:  https://www.instagram.com/mountzerobooks/ 

Address: c鋪, 6號 Tai Ping Shan St, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong

Business hours: 

  • Wednesday 11AM–6PM
  • Thursday 11AM–6PM
  • Friday 11AM–6PM
  • Saturday 12–6:30PM
  • Sunday 12–6:30PM
  • Monday 11AM–6PM
  • Tuesday 11AM–6PM
Google reviews score5/5
Tripadvisor reviews score 4/5
Total reviews4/5
Score consistency 5/5
Location5/5
Pricing5/5
Selection5/5
Staff5/5

Pros

  • Lovely place for casual browsing
  • Quiet and relaxing ambiance
  • Varied book selections
  • Helpful staff

Cons

  • Does not accept electronic payment

Mount Zero in Sheung Wan is a nice place to sit down and casually browse books. A lot of the time we’ve even found hidden gems here that aren’t available anywhere else.

What really makes the place cosy is the ambiance and quiet. The staff are also very helpful, but they’ll leave you alone while you’re looking through their bookcases and don’t need them to help.

If you’re around SoHo Central, then you should definitely visit this place to see it at least once. The location is lovely, close by, and rich in traditional Hong Kong culture.

It’s teeming with a lot of friendly people, and the place always smells like roasted coffee. It’s definitely a bookworm’s dream. 

Around the store you’ll find tea rooms, antique shops, parks, and all sorts of small businesses that give a good contrast to the bookstore’s hole-in-the-wall atmosphere. 

One thing that could do the store some good would be a more updated POS or payment options. Presently they don’t accept electronic payments, so it can be difficult for anyone that’s opted to go cashless nowadays.

All in all, Mount Zero is one of those quaint bookshops you wish you’d see more everywhere. It’s a haven for everyone that likes to just spend some time alone with a good book in a quiet place.

2. Cosmos Books Ltd

Cosmos Books Ltd Homepage

Website: http://www.cosmosbooks.com.hk/ 

Address: F, Basement & 1, 30 Johnston Rd, Wan Chai, Hong Kong

Contact details:  +852 2866 1677

Business hours: 

  • Wednesday 10AM–8PM
  • Thursday 10AM–8PM
  • Friday 10AM–8PM
  • Saturday 10AM–8PM
  • Sunday 10AM–8PM
  • Monday 10AM–8PM
  • Tuesday 10AM–8PM
Google reviews score5/5
Tripadvisor reviews score 4/5
Total reviews4/5
Score consistency 4/5
Location4/5
Pricing5/5
Selection5/5
Staff4/5

Pros

  • Great location
  • Wide array of book selections – English and Chinese
  • Has other products aside from books
  • Has an online store

Cons

  • In-store lighting needs improvement; some areas are too dimly lit

If you’re looking specifically for a collection of English fiction, nonfiction, academic, and technical books, then Cosmos Books is the right bookstore for you and it’s definitely worth looking at.

They also have a vast selection of Chinese books, including ones useful for business, technology and engineering, language studies, travel, and popular genres including children’s books and novels.

Apart from their wide array of books, the store also sells cards as well as a sizable section dedicated to stationery – a great place to stop by if you’re looking for quick presents. 

From our chat with the locals, we’ve found that Cosmos Books has been one of Hong Kong’s oldest bookstores for a while now. 

As for the store’s location, it’s spacious so you don’t feel too constrained despite the volumes of books that they have displayed.

Their pricing isn’t so bad, either. They have more affordable prices compared to other stores, even online. Staff were also helpful when necessary, so you don’t feel like you’re constantly under surveillance.

The only thing that was amiss was how frequent store comers noted that the store seemed to have lost some of its warmth and personal touch from before. 

While that may be the case for others, we still found it to be an exceptional bookstore in Hong Kong.

3. Eslite Spectrum

Eslite Spectrum Homepage

Website: https://meet.eslite.com/hk/tc/store/20180220037 

Address: 2-3/F, 星光行, 3號 Salisbury Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong

Contact details: +852 3419 1088

Business hours: 

  • Wednesday 10AM–10PM
  • Thursday 10AM–10PM
  • Friday 10AM–10PM
  • Saturday 10AM–10PM
  • Sunday 10AM–10PM
  • Monday 10AM–10PM
  • Tuesday 10AM–10PM
Google reviews score4/5
Tripadvisor reviews score 4/5
Total reviews4/5
Score consistency 4/5
Location4/5
Pricing5/5
Selection4/5
Staff4/5

Pros

  • Great location and astounding ambiance
  • One of the most relaxing bookstores we found
  • Helpful staff

Cons

  • Some areas are poorly lit
  • Smaller book collection

Eslite definitely gives the in-store browsing experience more thought than other bookstores in HK, which makes it always pleasant to browse here.

The store’s ambiance makes it feel like you’ve been transported back to a quieter time, where you can read at your own leisure without being bothered.

While they also have an online store available on their website, we find that online book purchases are never as fulfilling as in-store purchases.

If you want to do some light browsing in-store, the lighting is always fairly dark for some reason, which detracts from your experience.

The Tsim Sha Tsui is one of Eslite’s locations that appears to emphasise local cuisine and culture more than books. Although it has a lower selection of books than the CWB location, this site is nevertheless well worth visiting.

But to that we think that this location is more than just a bookstore. It is quite large and has two stories. Every corner will have a unique specialty shop in addition to a large range of books. 

Since there are so many intriguing items to examine, it takes some time to look through the entire store. 

Still, that’s not a bad thing. Choose a book, locate a comfortable reading nook, and relax with a cup of Chinese tea for a laid-back book-shopping experience.

4.  Bookazine

Bookazine Homepage

Website:   http://www.bookazine.com.hk/ 

Address: Shop 326-328, 10 Chater Rd, Central, Hong Kong

Contact details: +852 2522 1785

Business hours:

  • Tuesday 9:30AM–7:30PM
  • Wednesday 9:30AM–7:30PM
  • Thursday 9:30AM–7:30PM
  • Friday 9:30AM–7:30PM
  • Saturday 9:30AM–7:30PM
  • Sunday 10AM–7PM
  • Monday 9:30AM–7:30PM
Google reviews score4/5
Tripadvisor reviews score 3/5
Total reviews4/5
Score consistency 4/5
Location5/5
Pricing3/5
Selection5/5
Staff5/5

Pros

  • Bookazine stores are connected, making it easier to find a book if one store doesn’t have it
  • Spacious store
  • Attentive staff that don’t hover around you too much

Cons

  • Quite expensive

Right off the bat we already knew Bookazine would have an outstanding collection. All Bookazine locations are well connected, and if your book is not available at the centre you visited, they will swiftly get a copy from another location.

English books are available in a wide selection at this store. The staff is helpful, amiable, and ready to offer advice. 

This branch at Central is also among the bigger Bookazine stores, with a nice assortment of books, cards, gift wraps, and a kids’ section that’s really roomy. 

And if you’re looking for a one-stop shop for presents, Bookazine is a regular stop for holidays like Christmas and birthdays.

It’s one of the best bookstores left where you can actually take your time without being interrupted when selecting a book.

One of the best card selections in Hong Kong can be found here, and the stationery area is as remarkable. They carry a good assortment of stationery created in Japan in addition to products from Western manufacturers.

However, while there are lovely products, you can get some of these elsewhere for less. It’s great for last-minute gifts, but you could look around to find the best price if you have the time.

5. Seeds Children’s Bookstore

Website:  https://seeds.com.hk/

Address: Hong Kong

Business hours: Monday to Sunday: 9 AM to 7 PM

Google reviews score5/5
Tripadvisor reviews score 4.5/5
Total reviews4/5
Score consistency 4/5
Location5/5
Pricing4.5/5
Selection5/5
Staff5/5

Pros

  • Diverse book selection
  • Friendly and knowledgeable staff
  • Charming in-store ambiance
  • Competitive pricing

Cons

  • Busy during peak days

Our recent visit to Seeds Children’s Bookstore left us with a sense of wonder and delight. This enchanting emporium of literature dedicated to young minds is truly a bibliophile’s haven.

Seeds’ commitment to quality is unwavering. Their selection of children’s books is a garden of literary treasures, carefully curated to nurture young imaginations.

With each book, it’s evident that they’ve sown the seeds of knowledge, creativity, and wonder.

Efficiency is a cornerstone of Seeds’ service. Their staff members are like diligent gardeners, always ready to assist with a friendly smile. Our inquiries were met with quick and knowledgeable responses, ensuring that our visit was a smooth and pleasant experience.

Seeds provides exceptional value. While some may perceive books as mere expenses, we found that their pricing is a thoughtful investment in a child’s education and enlightenment.

The price tags are not thorns; they are reasonable blooms in the garden of literature.

Seeds’ commitment to quality and their efficiency in delivering a delightful shopping experience are commendable. It’s a place where one can immerse themselves in a world of stories and knowledge, where the seeds of curiosity are sown in the hearts of children.

The cherry on top of this literary cake is the enchanting ambiance. It feels like stepping into a storybook itself.

Our visit left us convinced that Seeds Children’s Bookstore is more than just a shop; it’s a place where the magic of reading thrives.

Sadly, they don’t offer discounts on classic books. We recommend checking their website for other affordable book deals.

6. ACO Books

ACO Books Homepage

Website:  http://www.aco.hk/ 

Address: Hong Kong, Wan Chai, Hennessy Rd, 365-367號, Foo Tak Building, 14 樓

Contact details: +852 2893 4808

Business hours: 

  • Tuesday 1–7PM
  • Wednesday 1–7PM
  • Thursday 1–7PM
  • Friday 1–7PM
  • Saturday 1–7PM
  • Sunday 1–7PM
  • Monday Closed
Google reviews score5/5
Tripadvisor reviews score 5/5
Total reviews5/5
Score consistency 5/5
Location5/5
Pricing5/5
Selection5/5
Staff5/5

Pros

  • Supports local artists
  • Great selection of mainstream and independently published books
  • Multilingual staff
  • Has books in different languages

Cons

  • Small area may not be suitable for too many people 

ACO Books is outright remarkable. The store has cosy surroundings with lovely personnel, not to mention a carefully picked variety of books, magazines, and art that are unique to this location.

ACO Books is easily one of our favourite book shops in Hong Kong. It’s cosy and compact, and it has a fantastic selection of books. We could have stayed here for hours. 

We particularly liked how the books and items catered to the issues of the Hong Kong creative communities, and how it didn’t feel too commercialised.

This bookstore is on the 14th level and the location is fantastic. Numerous publications about and written by Hong Kong artists, as well as a selection of books featuring hand-drawn artwork. 

Overall, ACO Books is a distinctive bookstore. In both English and Mandarin, they have a variety of local and foreign titles.

Additionally, they take active steps to assist local artists by organising exhibitions, seminars, and other events. This is a true community bookshop in Hong Kong, therefore it’s worth going to these as well.

7. Boundary Bookstore

Website: https://www.boundarybookstore.com/

Address: Hong Kong, Mong Kok, Argyle St, 16號, Mongkok Commercial Centre, 20樓A室

Contact details:

Business hours: 

  • Monday – Thursday: 13:00 – 20:00
  • Friday – Saturday: 13:00 – 22:00
Google reviews score4.9/5
Total reviews4.9/5
Score consistency 5/5
Location5/5
Pricing5/5
Selection5/5
Staff4.5/5

Pros

  • Diverse Collection
  • Hong Kong Creative Products
  • Cultural Exhibitions & Events

Cons

  • Pricing Considerations

Nestled in the vibrant cultural landscape of Hong Kong, Boundary Bookstore stands as a beacon of literary exploration and creative expression. They embody a spirit of innovation and inclusivity, offering readers and creators an immersive experience that transcends traditional boundaries.

What we like about them is that they boast a diverse collection of Chinese and English books, catering to the eclectic tastes and interests of readers in Hong Kong. From literary classics to contemporary bestsellers, the bookstore offers a curated selection that appeals to a wide audience.

In addition to books, Boundary Bookstore showcases a range of Hong Kong creative products, celebrating local artisans and entrepreneurs. This unique offering allows visitors to discover and support homegrown talent while exploring the rich cultural heritage of Hong Kong.

Boundary Bookstore serves as a vibrant hub for cultural exhibitions and events, fostering dialogue, creativity, and community engagement. Through curated exhibitions, book clubs, readings, and collaborative initiatives, the bookstore cultivates a dynamic space where ideas thrive and connections flourish.

Unlike others, they provide a tranquil and nurturing environment that encourages contemplation, exploration, and intellectual exchange. Whether browsing the shelves or attending a cultural event, visitors can immerse themselves in a serene atmosphere conducive to reflection and discovery.

As an independent bookstore, Boundary Bookstore’s pricing may be slightly higher compared to larger retailers due to operating costs and overhead expenses. Visitors should be prepared for potentially higher prices when purchasing books or products at the store.

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