Once you go, you won’t want to leave — the most beautiful independent bookstore-café in the eyes of netizens

By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team

Half a century ago, Taipei’s Chifeng Street was once a blacksmith street, lined with blacksmith shops, auto parts businesses, hardware stores, and other shops that exuded a strong industrial atmosphere. It has now transformed into a cultural hub for modern-day people, where those industries have given way to numerous cultural and creative shops. Among them, “Floating Light Bookstore” is considered by many visitors as the most beautiful independent bookstore.

The Floating Light Bookstore is located on the upper floor of a 70-year-old building. Unlike the bustling opulence of Dadaocheng, the architecture retains its original appearance. The store is designed as a bookstore space featuring Western literature, philosophy, photography art books, and hand-brewed coffee. Ascending through the retro wrought-iron gate on the first floor, one can immediately sense the rich atmosphere of books.

The interior space has had all partition walls and the ceiling removed, and a long skylit area has been created. The interplay of light and shadow within the space shifts with the time of day, creating a unique philosophical ambiance. The coffee bar is made from the original aged wood and paired with industrial-style iron elements, blending the modern with the soul of the old building.