Rural outlets making their mark with cultural advances

Elegantly designed bookstores with unique cultural features are emerging in China's remote ancient villages, creating cultural spaces for locals as well as so-called cultural brands that attract urban residents.

Cheng Sanguo, director of the Bookdao New Publishing Institute, a consultancy for the domestic publishing and book selling industry, said that in recent years bookstores have become "brands" for some relatively unknown villages located deep in mountains and forests.

"We have seen that some bookstores in rural areas have developed quite well, based on the natural scenery and characteristic culture of remote villages. This has also greatly enriched rural cultural life," he said.