Four "spider-man" attract visitors' attention during a book fair in Shanghai Exhibition Center, east China's Shanghai, Aug. 15, 2012. About 500 domestic publishing companies participated in the book fair which opened on Wednesday.[Photo/Xinhua]

Readers of all ages braved heat and storms for the city's annual book fair, which opened on August 15.

The Shanghai Book Fair, in its ninth year, is held at Shanghai Exhibition Center through August 21. Admission is 10 yuan (US$1.57).

The fair opened at 9 am, but book lovers lined up as early as 8 am to meet favorite writers. Some 300 cultural celebrities from home and abroad will hold over 400 lectures and signing sessions in the one-week event.

Photo taken on Aug. 15, 2012 shows the scene of the book fair in Shanghai Exhibition Center, east China's Shanghai. About 500 domestic publishing companies participated in the book fair which opened on Wednesday.[Photo/Xinhua]