The first independent bookstore in Kaohsiung is here – this 50-year-old building also hosts movie screenings

By“Kaohsiung Lovely Little Trips: Local Cuisine × Emerging Creatives × Nostalgic Historic Sites”

The founders of San Yu were a group of active figures in the cultural and creative industry, including Xiao Zi, Xie Yilin, Zhong Shang’en, Xie Tiandi, and Tong Weichen. Later, Zhong Shang’en’s younger brother Zhong Shanghua and poet Ren Mingxin joined the team, with Zhong Shanghua currently serving as the resident store manager. The birth of San Yu was sparked by a single comment. In 2013, Taiwan was already experiencing a boom in independent bookstores—almost every county and city had one—yet none existed in Kaohsiung. So when Yu Guoxin, the owner of Hongya Bookstore in Chiayi, asked why there was no independent bookstore in Kaohsiung, this group of friends resolutely launched their plan to open one. That October, a bookstore housed in a 50-year-old traditional single-family home appeared.

Nourishment of Local Literature

With a physical storefront, San Yu quickly became a haven for book lovers. Drawing inspiration from the concept of hybrid bookstores, the operators divided the three floors for different uses: the first floor is the bookstore, the second a café, and the third a space for lectures and film appreciation. No matter how fashionable the design or unique the decor around the world, the most beautiful sight in any bookstore remains people engrossed in reading—and San Yu is no exception. The deep layout of the old house, with thoughtful planning, offers distinctly themed areas. The designers chose not to face the main road for the entrance but instead used a side alley for the side door. There aren’t many flashy decorations on the outside, as the original architectural features have been deliberately preserved—blueish stone pillars, exposed aggregate flooring—all exuding the charm of bygone days.

The front area of the first-floor bookstore displays themed books and some cultural and creative goods. About 90% of the titles are related to Kaohsiung—whether it's images of military dependents’ villages or stories of old Kaohsiung’s history and culture, you can find complete collections here. There's also a cozy reading corner featuring works by renowned Taiwanese authors such as Bai Xianyong, Xi Xi, and Leung Ping-kwan, instantly transporting visitors back to Taiwan’s early literary scene. The main bookshelves are located at the back, where towering walls of books showcase the efforts of writers—including many publishers that champion local literature, such as Spring Light Publishing and Chain Gate Publishing, both based in Kaohsiung.

Second floor for coffee, third floor for movies

At San Yu, you can enjoy services you won’t find at chain bookstores—the staff will wrap your purchased books in protective covers. This reverence for books prompts deeper reflection in today’s fast-paced society. Sometimes, slowing down allows you to see the scenery around you more clearly. The covers are designed in-house, with simple designs featuring just the words “San Yu Bookstore” in six or seven colors that change periodically.

The second-floor café opened a month after the bookstore and has always been a favorite spot for book lovers and casual visitors alike. Food paired with the scent of books seems to gain an extra layer of soul. The menu has undergone several adjustments, and now typically pairs drinks with desserts. The once-simple space also underwent a small transformation in April 2016, offering longtime customers a fresh experience. The third floor is an area for the bookstore to engage with the public and is only open during fixed events or exhibitions. Currently, the regular weekly event is the Earth Crust Film Club screening every Thursday at 7 PM, which has featured films such as “Tokyo Story,” “A Hundred Years of Goodbye,” “The Taste of Summer,” and “My Second Brother.” Updates are posted irregularly on Facebook, where you can check the latest information.

San Yu Bookstore
214 Zhongzheng 2nd Road, Xinxing District, Kaohsiung City
(07) 225-3080
1:30 PM–10:00 PM, closed on Tuesdays

Author / Jiang Mingli
Former journalist for multiple travel media outlets, she has traveled the world on assignment, including the Netherlands, Germany, Thailand, the U.S. and Canada, China, Russia, and Egypt—with a particular focus on China and Japan. Her published works include “Tailor-Made Homestays,” “Century-Old Good Shops,” “Selected Authentic Taiwanese Snacks: Southern & Eastern Editions,” “Yilan Lovely Little Trips,” “Hualien Lovely Little Trips,” and “Chiayi Lovely Little Trips.” She is now a freelance writer and regular contributing reporter for HERE PLUS magazine.

Photography / Lu Dazhong
Graduated from the Photography Department of Shih Hsin University’s Department of Mass Communication. He has worked as a professional commercial photographer since 1993, specializing in food, interior design, travel, and celebrity portraits. Skilled in various lighting techniques and mixed-source photography, his flawless images stem from a solid theoretical foundation—after full integration, his aesthetic creativity shines through in composition.