2026 Hong Kong Book Fair Kicks Off with Bustling Crowds, Drawing Readers of All Ages

The 36th Hong Kong Book Fair opened on July 15 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and runs for seven days until July 21. This year's Book Fair, themed "Reading the World from Hong Kong — Cultural & Creative Legacies, A Journey of Enrichment," features the World Arts and Culture Gallery and a line-up of renowned authors for talks and cultural events.

The 2026 Hong Kong Book Fair, Photo by Bastille Post

The 2026 Hong Kong Book Fair, Photo by Bastille Post

The 2026 Hong Kong Book Fair, Photo by Bastille Post

The 2026 Hong Kong Book Fair, Photo by Bastille Post

The 2026 Hong Kong Book Fair, Photo by Bastille Post

On opening day, long queues formed early for both VIP and general admission. The atmosphere was electric as the first batch of visitors rushed into the venue.

The atmosphere of the book fair was electric as the first batch of visitors rushed into the venue. Photo by Bastille Post

Photo by Bastille Post

Jerry, first in the VIP queue, arrived at 7:30 am. A fan of suspense and fantasy books, he said that while many VIP ticket holders were primarily there for autograph sessions, they were also keen to browse for titles that caught their eye. "Many fans want to get autographs, but they'll also see if there's a book that suits them," he said. Meanwhile, the general admission queue was noticeably larger, the reporter observed.

Jerry, Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. Chung, first in the general queue, arrived at 8 am. A regular visitor, he said this year's crowd was much the same as in past years. He came straight after his night shift, joking that he didn't need to take leave. He believes celebrity signings help drive foot traffic, adding: “A book fair doesn’t have to be just about buying books. You can add all sorts of things. After all, it’s the crowds that make the fair.”

Mr. Chung, Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. Lam, another regular, spends half to a full day at the fair each year, browsing for specialised titles such as books on traditional Chinese medicine. "I wander around and pick based on how I feel. When a book speaks to me, I go for it," he said, adding that the discounts are a key draw.

Mr Ng, Photo by Bastille Post

Mr Ng, a rising Form 4 student, picked up a stack of supplementary exercises, mainly for Chinese and English. With three years to go before the DSE, he said: "You have to start early, otherwise you won't catch up." He said the fair offers a more comprehensive selection than regular bookshops, though he was so focused on reference books that he didn't have time to check out other booths.

Mr Ho, Photo by Bastille Post

Mr Ho, another visitor, took the opportunity to browse The Lighter Side Of A Hong Kong Police Inspector's Career In The 1960s, a title he had long been interested in. He praised the creative displays in the Mainland provincial booths, as well as the non‑book exhibits. Recalling an earlier trip to Mongolia where he had tried to find one, he was delighted to spot a quiver set that met his taste at the book fair. "I couldn't find it in Mongolia, but it's quite interesting to come across it here," he said.

"The Lighter Side Of A Hong Kong Police Inspector's Career In The 1960s," Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. Ho said he prefers traditional Chinese books and reads fewer simplified‑character or English versions. He described the fair as a "treasure hunt" where he can browse at will and discover books he has been looking for for years. "There are all kinds of books here — you can pick them up freely, and you might find some you've been searching for but couldn't find elsewhere," he said. He stressed that purchases depend on personal taste and price, not just discounts: "If it's the right book, I don't mind paying a bit more."

The 2026 Hong Kong Book Fair, Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. Ho admitted he has so many books and CDs at home that storage space has become a problem. "My wife often reminds me I have too many books," he joked. He said he donates finished books to fellow enthusiasts or sends them to nearby second‑hand book stalls, believing in keeping books in circulation.

The 2026 Hong Kong Book Fair, Photo by Bastille Post

The 2026 Hong Kong Book Fair, Photo by Bastille Post

The book fair also features multiple interactive experience zones incorporating technology, alongside parent‑child reading activities. Crowds gathered across the exhibition halls, reflecting the fair's diverse appeal.

The 2026 Hong Kong Book Fair, Photo by Bastille Post

The seven-day Hong Kong Book Fair kicked off on July 15 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Exhibitors were busy making preparations as crowds poured in from the opening moment. Among the bustling booths, the Hong Kong China Tourism Press stand drew readers throughout the day.

Among the bustling booths, the Hong Kong China Tourism Press stand drew readers throughout the day. Photo by Bastille Post

The reporter on site observed large numbers of readers gathered at the press's booth, flipping through travel books, chatting with staff, and queuing at the cashier. Hong Kong China Tourism Press booth representative Mickey Ching, whose company is a long-time exhibitor, said she is optimistic about this year's sales. "I'm quite pleased with our three new titles. I've seen some visitors buying all three together," she said.

The booth of the Hong Kong China Tourism Press, Photo by Bastille Post

When asked whether the northbound consumption trend in Hong Kong and the Mainland tourism boom have helped drive sales, Mickey said the Hong Kong China Tourism Press has long focused on Mainland-related content and described the alignment as "just right." "We don't do food-and-drink travel guides; we offer in-depth travel recommendations, and our books are known for their stunning photography," she explained. She also noted a growing reader interest in long-distance routes. "Hongkongers don't just like visiting places close to home. The farther the destination, the more they seem to enjoy it," she said, noting sustained demand for books on Xizang, Xinjiang, Yunnan and Qinghai.

The booth of the Hong Kong China Tourism Press, Photo by Bastille Post

Introducing this year's new release, Cloud Tour — Seven Routes to Travel to Yunnan, Mickey said the book covers not only popular destinations like Kunming, Dali and Lijiang, but also two new itineraries: the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway and the China-Laos Railway, connecting Kunming to the Vietnamese border and Vientiane, respectively. "The new routes tie in nicely with the ASEAN theme of this year's book fair," she added.

Introducing this year's new release, "Cloud Tour — Seven Routes to Travel to Yunnan," Mickey said the book covers not only popular destinations like Kunming, Dali and Lijiang, but also two new itineraries. Photo by Bastille Post

As for preparations, Mickey noted that this year's booth is more prominently located near the entrance, with subscription discounts and giveaways to attract readers. Special promotions will also be offered on the final two days of the fair.