Construction recently began on a large book bar in the Nanguo Tropical Garden, and it is expected to be completed before the Spring Festival. The purpose is to encourage more locals to read.

Covering an area 600 square meters, the book bar is being renovated from a tea house. It is designed to accommodate 150 people at once, and will have certain areas designated for people of a specific age range. Available will be some 17,000 books.

An illustration of the book bar. [Photo/Zhanjiang Daily]