Best Bookshops in Hong Kong (2026)

Written by Edison — HK Expat Editor · Updated May 31, 2026

For a city this fast and this expensive, Hong Kong remains a surprisingly bookish place — bilingual, globally connected, and home to one of Asia's biggest book fairs. Its bookshops range from dependable chains to a small, fiercely loved independent fringe that survives, against the odds, up the stairs of old buildings and in the quieter corners of the city.

Here is where to browse, buy and lose an afternoon among the shelves.

Start with: Bookazine and Kelly & Walsh for English titles; the big bilingual chains — Commercial Press, Joint Publishing, Chung Hwa — for Chinese-language depth and general browsing; and the city's small, ever-changing independents for character and curation. Time a July visit with the huge Hong Kong Book Fair for discounts and author talks.

A reader's city under pressure

Hong Kong is a serious reading city — bilingual, internationally connected and home to one of Asia's biggest annual book events — but its bookshops live under the same brutal pressure as everything else here: rent. The result is a scene that mixes resilient chains with a small, passionate, ever-shifting independent fringe. Knowing where to look rewards you with everything from the latest English fiction to deep Chinese-language literature and beautifully curated art books.

Here is how the landscape breaks down, from the dependable big names to the indie spots worth hunting down.

English-language & international

For English titles, the long-standing names are the place to start. Bookazine has multiple branches across the business districts and malls, stocking bestsellers, magazines and a solid general range. Kelly & Walsh, in Pacific Place, leans into art, design and coffee-table books in an elegant setting. The big bilingual chains also carry substantial English sections, and university bookshops are good for academic and serious non-fiction.

Imported English books carry a premium here, so prices can sting compared with the UK or US — which is part of why the July Book Fair, with its heavy discounts, draws such crowds.

The big bilingual chains

The backbone of Hong Kong bookselling is the trio of historic chains — Commercial Press (商務印書館), Joint Publishing (三聯書店) and Chung Hwa (中華書局) — with branches across the city. They offer deep Chinese-language ranges spanning literature, history, philosophy, business and children's books, plus respectable English and translated selections, stationery and frequent in-store events. They are reliable, central and a good first stop for almost any reader.

For sheer volume and bargains, nothing beats the annual Hong Kong Book Fair each July at the HKCEC in Wan Chai — a vast, crowded, joyful scrum of publishers, discounts and author talks that is an event in its own right.

Independents & second-hand

The soul of the scene, though, is its independents. Small, curated shops — often up the stairs of an old walk-up, frequently doubling as a café, gallery or events space — champion literature, poetry, art, design and local and regional writing with real personality. They are where you find the unexpected title and the engaged bookseller who will press the right book into your hands. Second-hand and antiquarian corners turn up the occasional treasure.

Because rents make these shops fragile, the cast changes from year to year; following a few on social media is the best way to know what is currently open and what is on. When you find a good one, support it — buy something, come to a reading. For more of the city's cultural life, see our art galleries guide and the creative complexes of PMQ and Tai Kwun, which often host bookish events.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there good English bookshops in Hong Kong?

Yes. Hong Kong has long-running English-language bookshops such as Bookazine and Kelly & Walsh, alongside the big bilingual chains (Commercial Press, Joint Publishing and Chung Hwa), university bookshops, and a rotating cast of independents. English titles are widely available, if sometimes pricier than abroad due to import costs.

Where can I buy Chinese-language books in Hong Kong?

The major chains — Commercial Press (商務印書館), Joint Publishing (三聯書店) and Chung Hwa (中華書局) — have branches across the city and a deep selection of Chinese-language titles, from literature to history to children's books. Independent shops and the annual Hong Kong Book Fair add further depth.

Does Hong Kong have independent bookshops?

It does, though the scene is small and ever-changing under the pressure of high rents. Independents tend to be tucked up the stairs of older buildings or in quieter neighbourhoods, often doubling as cafés or event spaces and curating thoughtfully around literature, art, design or local writing. Because they come and go, it is worth checking current listings before a special trip.

When is the Hong Kong Book Fair?

The Hong Kong Book Fair is held every July at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai. It is one of the largest book events in Asia, drawing huge crowds for discounted titles, author talks and signings across Chinese and English publishing.