Specializing in "the meaning of travel" – Taipei's hidden alley bookstore is a window to the world

▲ Carry your suitcase and rediscover the courage to set out at "Traveler’s Bookroom"!(Photo/FromFanily)

Text/Luo Xinya

Located on a quiet lane in Taipei’s Qingtian Street, the travel-themed bookstore "Traveler’s Bookroom" is situated on the second floor of an inconspicuous old apartment building. "I didn’t open this shop with grand ideals. One day, it will inevitably fade away when it’s no longer needed. But before that happens, I just hope to create a space for human connection through this bookstore, and to show people the possibilities of diverse thinking," said Zhang Sairun, the owner of the bookstore.

▲ Step into the second floor of an old alleyway apartment, where "Traveler’s Bookroom" opens your heart to the world.(Photo/FromFanily)

Before opening the bookstore, Zhang Sairun worked in international trade. "I’m naturally curious, love to travel, and enjoy experiencing different cultures." In recent years, she noticed how more and more people’s lives were being influenced by large corporations, with information sources becoming increasingly homogenized. "It’s like how once everyone got used to buying books online, the information they received was actually filtered. Over time, the ability to think independently fades away." To reclaim the joy of “having a bookstore to explore” and to add more independent thinking power to society, she boldly made a career switch, starting from scratch in the completely unfamiliar world of bookstores.

▲ The step-by-step creation of Traveler’s Bookroom may have a small storefront, but it lets readers see the whole world. (Photo/FromFanily)

"Traveler’s Bookroom" also has another beautiful name, "Zeelandia Travel & Books." Zeelandia refers to the first city built by the Dutch in Taiwan—Fort Zeelandia, which is now known as Anping Fort in Tainan. Zhang Sairun explained, "Fort Zeelandia was where Taiwan first connected with the world. Without those bold voyages outwards, the subsequent cultural exchanges wouldn’t have happened. Travel inherently carries this meaning of broadening one’s horizons."

▲ The store name "Zeelandia Travel & Books" commemorates the spirit of those great adventures. (Photo/FromFanily)

The books at Traveler’s Bookroom aren’t categorized by "travel destinations," and practical guidebooks are also rarely seen. This is because Zhang Sairun doesn’t want travel to be reduced to food guides or picture-heavy destination highlights. "Natural environments, ecology, local cultures, history, and exploration—all of these are part of travel. Travel itself is a form of cultural exchange." Using uniquely styled categories like "Taiwan Obsession," "Nature Obsession," "Trainspotting," and "Travelogues & Adventures," Zhang offers entirely different perspectives on travel.

▲ "Travel is a continuous process of self-definition," reflected in the owner’s distinctive approach to categorizing books. (Photo/FromFanily)

Zhang Sairun said that because it’s a rare travel-focused bookstore in Taiwan, and its selection differs from the conventional idea of "travel books," she specially requested a full catalog from distributors before opening. She spent two months meticulously hand-picking every book that belonged in Traveler’s Bookroom. "On one hand, I didn’t want filtered information, and on the other, I wanted to find unique but often overlooked books." One 19th-century travelogue and adventure book is kept in her grandmother’s antique cabinet. She laughs and says, "This one is very special—it’s mostly in French with few images, and set against the backdrop of the great age of exploration, it’s even more meaningful. So we only share it, we don’t sell it."

▲ The store has many maps on display, as if encouraging readers to actively explore the wider world!(Photo/FromFanily)

The store also frequently hosts talks, covering topics from various cultures and travel lifestyles to creative sharing, with no limits. "Some guests say it wasn’t what they expected, but they still gained a lot. We even had one event that started at 2 p.m. and went non-stop until 7 p.m.!"

▲ Find a corner, pick up a book, and spend an afternoon full of "the meaning of travel"!(Photo/FromFanily)

【Traveler’s Bookroom】
Phone: (02)2322-4772
Address: 2F, No. 12-2, Lane 12, Qingtian St., Da’an District, Taipei City 106, Taiwan (R.O.C.)