This is /was a neat bookstore, now doing business mainly online. As far as I know, all the books are written in English, so it’s unlike Eastwind, where almost everything is in Chinese. The old China Books shop has long been gone, but I have some nice memories to remember it by. Back in the day, my Dad would sometimes take me here. I would hang out in the kiddie section, while he would look for new books to add to his collection. He bought me my first set of Chinese Paper Cuts here. When I was a bit older, I went there during one of their infrequent sales. That was probably right before they closed this location. Online, you will find some unique or hard-to-find publications, as well as gift items. It’s a great resource for books on all types of topics relating to Chinese culture. From books for the kids, learning Cantonese or Mandarin, cooking, history, etc. They even have books illustrated in the comic book style, teaching Confucianism, astrology, proverbs, etc. I would say this is definitely a gem. It’s still local and has a decent selection.
Loretta S.
Place rating: 5 San Francisco, CA
I LOOOOOVE China Books!!! I bought my first Chinese dictionary there at the old bookstore on 24th Street in the Mission. They seemed to disappear since they moved, but I just found their website, and it’s so much better than it used to be. I’ll admit, in the old days, I loved all the campy propaganda stuff… the little Red Book, the peasant posters etc., but they’ve updated themselves. I just found all these cool Chinese comic books(did you know that there were comics in China – I didn’t!) and they still have those cool posters. Apparently they don’t have a store anymore, just the website.