The literary granary turned bookstore is a must-visit in Kaiping!

📚 One of the world's top ten most beautiful bookstores! Kaiping's hidden artistic paradise, free to check in and totally enjoyable!

Kaiping Tangkou Tianxia Granary Bookstore is a unique bookstore transformed from an old granary from the 1970s, officially opened on November 11, 2023. It is the first branch of Vanguard Bookstore in South China and was named the "Most Beautiful Public Cultural Space" in 2025 due to its unique design and concept.

The core of the bookstore consists of five preserved "yurt-style" granaries, named after the five grains: rice, millet, broomcorn millet, wheat, and beans, each corresponding to different categories of books such as poetry, social sciences, literature, lifestyle and children’s books, and art. It houses about 38,000 books and offers over 80 cultural and creative products that blend local cultural features like Kaiping Diaolou and overseas Chinese hometown culture.

This bookstore successfully combines historical architecture, reading culture, and regional characteristics, praised as "former granary, today’s bookstore," serving as a model for cultural empowerment in rural areas.

Recommended reasons:
The new favorite of literary youth! Guangdong’s most beautiful bookstore + Diaolou charm 🔛

🚗 2 days 1 night essential itinerary:
1️⃣ Day 1: Chikan Ancient Town → Tianxia Granary
Free entry to Chikan during the day! The small lantern street is a great photo spot, wearing a qipao is recommended for photos.
Tianxia Granary transformed into a cultural and creative space, with red brick walls full of vintage vibes.

2️⃣ Day 2: Zili Village Diaolou → Tangkou Market Bookstore
Remember to buy the Diaolou combo ticket in advance! Filming location for "Let the Bullets Fly."
Free entry to the bookstore! Rotating book wall + glass skylight, photos come with natural filters.

📍 Must-photograph check-in spots:
1️⃣ Tangkou Market Bookstore second-floor corner
Sunlight pours through the transparent dome, holding a book makes you look like the heroine of an art film.
2️⃣ Zili Village Mingshi Lou top floor
Overlooking the rice field Diaolou cluster, the golden wheat waves in autumn are stunning.

🍲 Authentic local food:
Claypot rice: Old brand in the ancient town, the crispy crust is addictive.
Tofu triangles: The lively atmosphere under the Chikan arcade, 5 RMB per serving.
Eel rice: Kaiping specialty! The rice is oily and the eel meat is tender.

💡 Tips to avoid pitfalls:
The shuttle bus in the Diaolou scenic area charges extra! Self-driving or chartering is recommended.
Choose newly renovated inns in the ancient town, old houses have poor sound insulation.