One of them, located at the eastern entrance of Zhuan Ta Hutong, is the Zhengyang Bookstore. The bookstore, steeped in history itself, specializes in books about the history of Beijing and is famous for the Wansong Elder Pagoda — a nine-tiered brick structure that dates back to the Yuan Dynasty. The pagoda, nestled quietly in the yard of the bookstore, stands as a silent symbol of wisdom and tranquility.
"Old bookstores are like a treasure hunt for visitors," says Cui, the bookstore's founder and owner. "They offer rare finds and local gems you won't find anywhere else."