After being renovated, the many books, soft light, and tranquil environment of the Rudong branch of the Phoenix Xinhua Bookstore are attracting many visitors. [Photo/ntfabu.com]

The 11th Jiangsu Book Fair, sponsored by the Jiangsu provincial people's government, opened in Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu province, on July 7.

At the opening ceremony, the result of the 2021 selections for Jiangsu's Most Beautiful Bookstore was announced. Eleven bookstores received the title, three of which are located in Nantong – the Rudong branch of the Phoenix Xinhua Bookstore, the Haimen branch of the Phoenix Xinhua Bookstore, and the Funsure Bookstore.

Established in 1994, the Rudong branch of the Phoenix Xinhua Bookstore was rebuilt starting last July and reopened in September. After renovations, the new bookstore now covers an area of 2,000 square meters and displays over 32,000 books. The soft lights and tranquil reading corridor with windows are meant to help visitors relax.

In the first quarter of 2021, the bookstore held 32 events involving education, competition, lectures, team building, and after-school activities, attracting the participation of more than 2,000 people and encouraging people to buy more books.

Nantong is currently home to a total of eight bookstores with the Jiangsu's Most Beautiful Bookstore designation. The other five are the Haimen Maisui Bookstore, the Nantong Zhongguan Bookstore, the Rugao branch of the Phoenix Xinhua Bookstore, the Nantong branch of the Phoenix Xinhua Bookstore, and the Tangzha Shangshuyuan Bookstore.