For bookworms in Shenzhen, the bookstores and libraries standing near the coast are ideal places to spend some time while enjoying the soothing sea view.

Egret Lawn Book Bar 白鹭坡书吧

Egret Lawn Book Bar is an egret-themed bookstore located in Shenzhen Bay Park. The egret sculptures outside the bookstore and the flowers around provide a pleasant visual environment. The glass wall design of the bookstore creates perfect lighting in the daytime. It’s highly recommended to find a seat by the window to enjoy the sea view of Shenzhen Bay. If you want to get closer to nature, the outdoor seats are good choices.

Hours: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

Add: Egret Lawn, Shenzhen Bay Park, Nanshan District (南山区深圳湾公园白鹭坡)

Metro: Lines 9 or 11 to Hongshuwan South Station (红树湾南站), Exit A

Qiyun Bookstore 绮云书苑

Residing in a building of traditional Lingnan architectural style, the tranquil Qiyun Bookstore brings peaceful experiences to its readers. If you get tired from reading, just take a walk on the nearby beach to feel the sea breeze.

Hours: 2-9 p.m. (Mon.-Fri.), 10 a.m.-9 p.m. (Sat.-Sun.)

Add: Phase 2, Xiwan Mangrove Park, Bao’an District (宝安区西湾红树林公园二期)

Metro: Line 1 to Gushu Station (固戍站), Exit D and take a taxi

Lighthouse Library 灯塔图书馆

The Lighthouse Library is an ideal place for you to spend a quiet afternoon while enjoying the sea view. The bay window on the second floor of the library is a perfect site for taking photos. Over 4,000 books and 3,000 e-books are available at the library which is near the Yantian Coastal Promenade. Only 35 visitors are allowed to enter the library at a time.

Hours: Noon-7 p.m. (closed Mondays)

Add: 1019 Haijing Road 2, Yantian District (盐田区海景二路1019号)

Metro: Line 8 to Haishan Station (海山站), Exit B

Tinghai Library 听海图书馆

Tinghai Library is a library without librarians. It’s located next to the Shenzhen Marina Club, where many yachts are berthed on the water. The desks outside the library are also in the shape of ships.

Hours: Noon-7 p.m. (closed Mondays)

Add: 89 Yanmei Road, Yantian Road (盐田区盐梅路89号)

Metro: Line 8 to Yantian Road Station (盐田路站), Exit D and then take Bus M380

Other libraries with perfect views

Bao’an Library 宝安图书馆

Standing next to a lake, the Bao’an Library has six floors that accommodate 2,000 seats and 1.5 million books. It is also the first library in China to use robots to sort books. The library has a special reading room for visually impaired readers, which offers more than 500 books in Braille. The newspaper zone also offers magnifying lens for people with restricted eyesight. Visitors can experience interactive virtual reality and 3D printing on the third floor.

Hours: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. (closed Mondays)

Add: 1 Baoxing Road, Bao’an District (宝安区宝兴路1号)

Metro: Line 5 to Baohua Station (宝华站), Exit D

Xiehou Library 邂逅图书馆

Xiehou Library is located inside Shenzhen Constitution Park and it is a perfect place to read some books while appreciating the greenness of the park.

Hours: Noon-7 p.m. (closed Mondays)

Add: Inside Shenzhen Constitution Park, 29 Haitao Road, Yantian District (盐田区海涛路29号深圳宪法公园内)

Metro: Line 8 to Haishan Station (海山站), Exit A2 and take a taxi

Pingshan Library 坪山图书馆

To the east of the Pingshan Library is Pingshan Central Park which offers a pleasant view with its luxuriant trees and serves as a wonderful place to take a stroll. The Pingshan Library has 10 floors with a collection of over 1.2 million books. Its soundproofed reading rooms are a good choice for readers who love reading aloud. A small meeting room is also available for readers to have discussions.

Hours: 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 1-5:30 p.m., 6-9 p.m. (closed Mondays)

Add: Huide Road, Pingshan District (坪山区汇德路)

Transport: Take the high-speed rail from Futian Station or Shenzhen North Station to Pingshan Station and then take a taxi(Lin Lin)