Tourists take a trip down memory lane

Cui notes that, for years, the bookstore also works with scholars to translate books about Beijing's history into multiple languages, such as English, Italian and Japanese.

"The courtyard, small and serene, had an old door panel that read: 'Sit quietly when there's nothing to do, and read books when you're free', which I loved," wrote a visitor, nicknamed Miao Miao, in a post on RedNote about a trip there in early February.

"I was also greeted by the meows of the bookstore's cat, Laifu, which was a nice bonus," Miao Miao added.