Young couple serve as guardians of Lijiang old yard

In the Old Town of Lijiang, northwest Yunnan, a quaint Naxi ancient courtyard stands out from the business model of ordinary shops, quietly telling new charm of books.

The former site of Xueshan Academy, located in Wangjiazhuang Lane of Lijiang Old Town, now has a new business format in the name of Xueshan Bookstore.

As a highly representative cultural courtyard in the Old Town of Lijiang, Xueshan Academy has for many years hosted numerous cultural activities such as the "Lijiang Forum," and it is an important base for the inheritance of Lijiang's cultural lineage. As Xueshan Academy moved to Wangu Tower on Lion Hill, this old courtyard has welcomed a brand-new transformation.

A post-90s couple of Zeng Zihao and Liu Zhen, took over this century-old courtyard, shed its past glory, reshaped new business formats, and founded Xueshan Bookstore. Using books as the medium and tea as the intermediary, they guard a pure land of culture amid the bustling ancient town.

Zeng Zihao and Liu Zhen, a couple born in the 1990s

Stepping into Xueshan Bookstore instantly shuts out the din of the ancient town's streets and lanes. The brand-new gilt plaque reading "Xueshan Bookstore" is quaint and imposing. The originally enclosed street-facing storefront is now fully open, with neat wooden bookshelves arranged in staggered order, naturally separating a transparent and spacious area.

On the bookshelves, books of various kinds are dazzling to the eye, including Lijiang local history, Naxi Dongba culture, and Chinese classic literature. The courtyard is dotted with cultural and creative ornaments featuring unique Naxi characteristics. Light filters through the skylight, wooden beams are mottled, and tea tables are neatly arranged. The orderly layout of a traditional Naxi dwelling, paired with the faint fragrance of books and tea, is transparent yet inclusive, gently healing the passers-by.

A corner of the old courtyard of Xueshan Bookstore

Speaking of this distinctive original aspiration, Zeng Zihao admitted that it is the most genuine feeling they have had after taking root in Lijiang for many years. In his view, today's Lijiang Old Town never lacks places for eating, drinking, and having fun; what it lacks is a cultural space where people can slow down and calm their minds.

"We don't want to do merely simple cultural tourism consumption. We want to create a warm cultural stay," said Zeng. The couple hope that tourists passing through the ancient town and locals born and raised there can have a quiet corner to read, drink tea, get relaxed, dim into Naxi culture, and better understand the cultural heritages in Lijiang.

An afternoon leisure time in the book store

Yunnan tea is served in the bookstore.