Zhengyang Bookstore under Wansong Laoren Pagoda

There is a small courtyard with a strong Beijing flavor on the side of Xisi Zhuanta Hutong in Beijing. There are signs of Zhengyang Bookstore and Zhuandu Space at the door. The courtyard is not big, with several bungalows, and the Wansong Laoren Pagoda, which was built in the Yuan Dynasty, is above. This pagoda was rebuilt or renovated in the Ming and Qing Dynasties and the Republic of China. In 1986, when the brick pagoda was repaired, the pagoda built in the Yuan Dynasty was still inside the outer pagoda. In 2013, Wansong Laoren Pagoda was listed as a national key cultural relic protection unit. The ancient brick pagoda has been washed by time, and the pagoda body has mottled traces, which is very historical. The stone pier, old wooden door and window frame in the yard stand quietly, all with extraordinary origins. Zhengyang Bookstore sells new and old books and magazines, mostly related to Beijing geography, history, and traditional customs. Some are signed by the author or are rare books, and you can also find manuscripts by writers. Old maps of Beijing are popular, and every hutong and street that once existed or still exists can be found on the dense network map. The bookstore also sells Beijing-style windmills, clay figurines, and popular refrigerator magnets. This charming bookstore also has a name called Zhuandu Space, nestled beside the Wansong Laoren Pagoda, finding a quiet place in the noisy market. A huge black raccoon cat in the courtyard is deep and dignified, ignoring ordinary people, and it is difficult to take a frontal photo of it. This bookstore is located at No. 43, Xisi South Street, Xicheng District. Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9:30–18:30, weekends 9:00–20:00.