Written by Zakiyyah Wahab
Hong Kong has some lovely bookstores — they also stock great souvenirs that you might want to consider picking up for your friends and loved ones whilst checking out some of the books.
Read on to find our recommendations for the best bookshops on Hong Kong Island.
Eslite bookstore
8-10/F, Hysan Place, 500 Hennessy Road, Causeway BayMTR: Exit F, Causeway Bay MTR Station; tram: Paterson Street stop, Kennedy Town bound or Percival Street stop, Shau Kei Wan bound
Daily, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (hours may differ for holidays)
Official website
One of the largest book retailers in Taiwan, Eslite Bookstore opened its first ever Hong Kong branch in Causeway Bay in 2012. To this day, Eslite bookstore Causeway Bay remains a popular spot, whether you’re a bookworm or just visiting. Home to a large variety of books mainly in Chinese and English, this bookstore boasts a total of three floors and has other areas selling fashion, jewellery, electronic accessories and Taiwanese snacks such as pineapple tarts and taro pastries. If you’re in need of some food or a drink in the midst of your browsing, this bookstore has shops selling fresh tea and coffee, as well as a dine-in cafe.
Be sure to also check out the bookstore’s impressive stationery section. Need a greetings card? They’ve got it. Need some art supplies? They’ve got it. Need some special Taiwanese soaps or even souvenirs? They’ve also got it.
There are branches around Hong Kong, including in Tsim Sha Tsui (where you can enjoy a lovely view of the harbour), Tai Koo (grab a coffee there if you can) and inside Hong Kong Station (for a little last-minute pick-me-up).
Hong Kong Book Centre
25 Des Voeux Road, On Lok Yuen Lower Level, Central, Hong KongMTR (Exit C, Central MTR Station); by tram (Pedder Street stop, Kennedy Town bound or Shau Kei Wan bound)
Daily, from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (hours may differ for holidays)
Official website
This bookshop is the perfect place for those who are looking to grab a quality read, or to check out the latest bestsellers whilst touring Hong Kong.
Hong Kong Book Centre is only a 5-minute walk from Hong Kong Station. Here, you will find a wide variety of English books, as well as some stationery. This is the place to go if you have an affinity for English and literature books.
Kelly & Walsh
Shop 216, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong KongMTR: Exit F, Admiralty MTR Station; tram :Admiralty MTR Station stop, Kennedy Town bound or Shau Kei Wan bound
Daily, from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. (hours may differ for holidays)
Official website
The sister-store of Hong Kong Book Centre, Kelly & Walsh is located inside the Pacific Place shopping mall. A cozy bookstore, you will also be able to find a nice selection of books in English. There is a section featuring books about local culture and traditions. Interested in learning about different types of dim sum, or have a friend who wants to know more about Hong Kong but just couldn’t make the trip here? You just might be able to find the right book at Kelly & Walsh.
JP Books (Central)
9 Queen Victoria St, Central, Hong KongMTR: Exit B, Central MTR Station; tram: Pottinger Street stop, Kennedy Town bound or Jubilee Street stop, Shau Kei Wan bound
Monday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sun from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (hours may differ for holidays)
Official website
Located near other popular tourist spots such as Central Market, PMQ, and the Central-Mid-levels Escalator, JP Books (Central) is more of a local bookstore compared to the other Hong Kong bookstores in this article. There is a good variety of books in English and Chinese, as well as a neat selection of affordable stationery. This is a good place for buying practical, everyday stationary supplies, as well as recommended Chinese and English reads. You can easily spend an hour here.
JP Books also has a good selection of souvenirs, such as quality magnets with Hong Kong egg tarts and pineapple buns printed on them. If you’re looking for the right souvenir, also check out Central Market just across the road.
