Beijing's 'Temple of Earth and Me' Book Fair Sets New Record with 400,000 Titles

The 2024 "Temple of Earth and Me" book fair in Beijing sets a new record with 400,000 titles, offering a unique blend of culture and entertainment.

on Sep 13, 2024

Beijing's 'Temple of Earth and Me' Book Fair Sets New Record with 400,000 Titles

The 2024 "Temple of Earth and Me" book fair, part of the Beijing Culture Forum, opened at Ditan Park (Temple of Earth Park) on Friday and will run through September 23. Drawing book lovers from across the city, the fair offers a unique "city walk" cultural experience, blending education and entertainment. Due to high demand, book coupons were quickly claimed, and the fair will extend its hours until 8 pm, aligning with the rising trend of night tourism during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Covering 18,000 square meters—3,000 more than in 2023—the fair includes 10 exhibition areas and over 160 cultural events. More than 330 publishers, bookstores, and exhibitors are showcasing 400,000 book titles, setting a new record for the fair's scale.

The themed areas include sections for physical bookstores, children’s literature, foreign-language books, and cultural products. Key exhibitions focus on topics like the 75th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China, with curated reading lists.

A standout feature is the “Old Books, New Knowledge” section, which highlights Chinese civilization through over 60 rare classical works. Liu Yichen, who oversees this section, emphasized the importance of these ancient texts in preserving cultural wisdom.

Participation from physical bookstores has surged, with 135 taking part—1.5 times more than last year. The Palace Museum Bookstore remains a major draw, having led sales at the fair for years, including 400,000 yuan ($56,173) in sales last year. Other popular attractions include the Chengdu Panda Bookstore, which charms visitors with panda-themed products, and the children’s book district, featuring characters like Harry Potter and Black Cat Detective.

Ditan Park, historically significant as the second-largest imperial altar in Beijing, served as a sacred site for worship during the Ming and Qing dynasties.