Rediscover the joy of reading: Stroll through the city’s stylish bookstores 4+

Text & Photos / Fion

Old Shops of Southern Tainan
Filled with the fragrance of sunshine and books

The owner of the bookstore, Tsai Han-chung, is a well-known second-hand book collector in Tainan. Even before opening Old Shops of Southern Tainan, he had already run several renowned used bookstores. “Grass Memorial,” a second-hand bookstore located in the Confucius Temple commercial area (now closed), was his first store. It once implemented a membership system due to the declining service quality caused by too many tourists, hoping that visitors would be genuine book lovers rather than just sightseers. There was also “Molin,” a second-hand bookstore located in the basement opposite the Guangfu Campus of National Cheng Kung University. Though small, its comprehensive collection attracted students who often came to hunt for treasures.

The newest branch of Old Shops of Southern Tainan is located on Qingzhong Street, boasting the largest space and the most books. However, its location is not as bustling as the previous two, and most of the visitors are book lovers who come specifically. Walking along a path filled with greenery into the sunlit bookstore, the large transparent floor-to-ceiling windows reflect the light, and the air is mixed with the scent of sunshine and books, creating a vibrant atmosphere. The space displays a large number of antiques, showing that the owner is also a soul who loves old things. The exquisitely arranged interior holds a vast number of books, making it hard to pull your eyes away from the shelves. You unconsciously slow your pace and happily pick up books from the shelves.

Old Shops of Southern Tainan
Address: No. 68, Qingzhong Street, West Central District, Tainan City　
Phone: 06-2135567　
Hours: 12:00–21:00 (Closed on Thursdays)
 

Apple Used Bookstore
A retro-style second-hand bookstore
 

The biggest difference from other second-hand bookstores is probably the wide array of independent publications and handmade items that dazzle the eye near the counter. Comics and audiovisual publications are also a major highlight—you can comfortably immerse yourself in the sunlit lawn area surrounded by comics. If you’re lucky, you might even find recordings by Lin Huiping, Tsai Chin, or LA Boys in the audiovisual section. The bookstore encourages creativity by generously allowing creators to consign their own goods and even purchases small quantities to support them. Here, you’ll find that every book, CD, and movie DVD carries the blessing of its previous owner, and as you browse, you may just find a new version of yourself.


Address: No. 24, Section 1, Guohua Street, South District, Tainan City　
Phone: 0905-951-593　
Hours: 12:00–20:00 (Closed on Thursdays and Sundays)