Hai Lights is your all-access pass to the coolest corners of Shanghai, whether it's food, nightlife, art, or just those random quirks that make this city tick, where each edition dives into a specific slice of city life. We're talking themed rundown – from the top Spanish restaurants to the coolest soccer clubs, the most scenic bike routes and everything in between. We cut through the noise and bring you the standout spots in each category, so you know where to go, what to do, and who's doing it best. No fluff, no filler, just a solid list of places that make Shanghai tick, because if it's worth your time, it's worth ours.

Today's quick-click access to digital and audiobooks is inarguably a blessing when living and traveling abroad. At the same time, there's nothing quite like the scent of a new book and the feel of its printed pages between your fingertips. So in a city where your first language is foreign, where to go when craving a classic, book-in-hand experience?

From hip and cozy hangouts to architecturally stunning and spacious spots, these seven Shanghai bookstores boast comprehensive collections of foreign language texts for your reading pleasure.

Garden Books 上海韬奋西文书局

This welcoming spot has long been a go-to destination for imported books: novels, nonfiction, contemporary lit, magazines, travel guides and more; housing one of the larger English language collections you'll find in Shanghai. Inside there's also a little cafe, making it an ideal destination for lazing the day away with a new title in hand.

Opening hours: 10am-10pm

Tel: 5404-8728

Address: 325 Changle Rd 长乐路325号

Sinan Books 思南书局

Originally opened as a sister store to London Review Bookshop, Sinan Books offers a solid collection of English and Chinese texts spanning classic lit and history to art and photography. Occupying several stories inside one of Sinan Mansions' many preserved garden villas, this is a charming spot to search for your next read.

Opening hours: 10:30-18:00 Tuesday-Sunday

Tel: 13917497850

Address: 517 Fuxing Rd M. 复兴中路517号

Boocup 现代书店

A boutique bookstore chain with several locations in Shanghai, Boocup has it all: bestsellers, art and design texts, biographies, popular (and niche) magazines, comics, children's books and more from across the globe. There's also a vinyl records section to boot, boasting beats from classic rock to Japanese pop; plus fun trinkets, toys, stationary and other little gift-worthy items scattered throughout the space.

Opening hours: 10am-10pm

Tel: 5292-5214

Venue: N4-05, L4, North District, Jing'an Kerry Center 静安嘉里中心北区L4层N4-05室

Address: 1515 Nanjing Rd W. 南京西路1515号

Tsutaya Bookstore 蔦屋 (Moho Mall)

Stylish bookstore, cafe and really great gift shop combined, the shikumen-inspired Jing'an branch of this well-known Japanese transplant has a floor of its own inside Moho Mall. The brand focuses on art and lifestyle books, which you'll find in Chinese, Japanese and English. Weekdays see lots of young professionals parked with their laptops at tables overlooking the city – courtesy of floor-to-ceiling windows; on weekends, it's more of a family-friendly vibe.

Opening hours: 10am-10pm

Tel: 6070-4200

Venue: L3, MOHO Mall MOHO购物中心3层

Address: 699 Jiangning Rd 江宁路699号

Shanghai Foreign Language Bookstore 外文书店

Just as the name tells, this is the place to go for all the foreign language books, with likely the most expansive collection of English books in Shanghai. With four packed floors, it's long been a book haven for foreigners. Fiction or nonfiction, bestselling novels, academic textbooks, cookbooks, classic literature, books on history, travel, economics, business, languages, art… whatever your genre pleasure, they've got it. The store is infamously tricky to navigate, but the English-speaking staff are happy to help out.

Opening hours: 10am-6:30pm

Tel: 2320-4994

Address: 390 Fuzhou Rd 福州路390号

Shanghai Book City 上海书城

Reopened in 2023 after a complete revamp by celebrated Chinese architectural firm Wutopia Lab, this is Shanghai's largest bookstore and cultural landmark. The massive seven-story destination acts as not only as a bookstore, but a culture and entertainment hub intended to attract readers and nonreaders alike. In addition to the "vertical city" of bookshelves bearing tens of thousands of titles of every genre – mostly in Chinese, but you'll find foreign language books, too – it's home to a theater, art gallery, cafe, studio spaces, reading corners and more.

Opening hours: 9:30am-9:30pm

Tel: 6330-6213

Address: 465 Fuzhou Rd 福州路465号

Duoyun Books 朵云书院

Located on the 52nd floor of the Shanghai Tower, this wanghong bookstore in the sky offers panoramic views of the city – and of course, the opportunity to snap that Instagrammable photo of you reading amongst the clouds. Another design by Wutopia Lab and another collab with London Review Bookshop, find mostly Chinese titles but a decent selection of English language books, too. Somewhat oddly, entry is free, but you need to reserve a spot in advance via the 世纪朵云 official WeChat account.

Opening hours: 10:30am-10pm

Tel: 157-2155-6283

Venue: 52/F, Shanghai Tower 上海中心52楼

Address: 501 Yincheng Rd M. 银城中路501号