"The Temple of Earth and Me" book fair organized by Beijing drew more than 330,000 visitors to the neighboring city of Baoding during the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays, cementing the fair's role as a cultural exchange hub.

The fair featured 300,000 books from 135 exhibitors and expanded beyond traditional book sales to include foreign language sections and displays of intangible cultural heritage, with interactive sessions and craft demonstrations.

"This place has not only books but also sugar painting and clay sculptures," said one mother with her child. "The kids learn while they play. It offers a much better experience than just ordering books online."

Exhibitors noted the high demand and interaction with readers. Yan Bin, director of channel operations at CITIC Publishing Group, said they brought books popular in Beijing to match the reading needs of Baoding residents.

"This deep, two-way exchange about reading experiences is the most precious gain," Yan said.

The fair displayed cultural exchange between the cities. Beijing publishers' books appeared alongside Baoding's local heritage crafts, linking the capital's publishing industry with Baoding's reputation as the "City of Academies."

Sun Nan, a manager at China Bookstore Co., said the company added products featuring famous literary quotes and vintage-style book memorabilia to appeal to younger readers.

To encourage participation, organizers offered 600,000 yuan ($84,200) in discount vouchers. The fair also integrated real estate, auto and food services to create a broader cultural and commercial experience.