A bookstore's endeavor to survive and thrive in a digital era

Unyielding to the change of times, the old publishing giant is exploring a new life.

In Baoding city of Hebei province, a Xinhua bookstore with the theme "fresh air" was established last year. The building, featuring hollowed-out wooden walls, which are open to light, has become a much loved spot in the city..

Inside the store are large and comfortable reading spaces as well as coffee and tea houses. The store is called "the most beautiful bookstore" by some due to the idyllic atmosphere it creates.

In northeast China's Heilongjiang province that borders Russia to the north, a Xinhua bookstore in Mudanjiang city was renovated into a China-Russia communication platform where a large quantity of Russian language books are available and cultural gatherings involving Chinese and Russian readers are held once in a while.

"Many Russian students studying here would come to read or even paint in the bookstore sometimes," general manager of the store Che Jun said.