Sculpting in Time: Beijing’s Literary Coffeehouse Since 1997

In 1997, two recent university graduates returned from Xinjiang, captivated by its shifting landscapes—from serene valleys to sweeping mountain vistas—and decided to open a coffeehouse that mirrored that same quiet grandeur. They weren’t just selling coffee; they wanted to create a space where time, conversation, and creativity could unfold, much like the cinematic frames that inspired their café’s name.

The answer lies in Sculpting in Time, a Beijing coffeehouse founded on November 28, 1997, by graduates enchanted by Xinjiang’s scenery. Named after Andrei Tarkovsky’s film book, it blends coffee, literature, and music into a living space where patrons can sip espresso, read, or debate for hours.

A Name Inspired by Cinema and Time

The founders spent months deciding on a name before settling on “Sculpting in Time,” taken from Soviet director Andrei Tarkovsky’s film autobiography. The phrase captures how cinema—and by extension, a coffeehouse—captures moments: time leaves its mark on people and objects, just as it does in a well-lived café. This concept became the café’s guiding ethos: a place where time slows, conversations deepen, and memories form.

A Space That Evolved with the City

Originally located on Chengfu Street, between Peking University’s east gate and Tsinghua University’s west gate, the café sat amid a vibrant intellectual hub. Nearby was the famed Wanfang Bookstore, drawing scholars, publishers, artists, and advertisers who filled the space with debates and discussions. Due to urban redevelopment, the café later moved to its current spot near the south gate of the Beijing Institute of Technology in Weigongcun. There, large southern windows frame rows of poplar trees, their seasonal shadows creating ever-changing views.

A Café with Its Own Rhythm

By day, sunlight filters through red curtains, casting patterns on wooden floors as acoustic flutes play softly. By night, the atmosphere shifts: jazz, Indian ragas, and Latin rhythms fill the air as patrons debate, flirt, or continue daytime conversations. The space is neither a loud bar nor a sterile café—it’s a curated mix of warmth and intellect. Shelves of books, carefully chosen music, and regulars from academic and artistic circles give it a distinct character. It’s a place where you can spend hours reading or simply soaking in the ambiance.

Coffee, Food, and Community

The menu features classic Italian espresso drinks made with Illy coffee—including espresso, cappuccino, and latte—alongside affordable Italian pasta dishes like egg-bacon carbonara, tuna-garlic spaghetti, and meat sauce pasta. Homemade desserts such as cheesecake, tiramisu, blueberry cake, and muffins are popular, often priced reasonably. Black coffee and Americano are refillable, and monthly food discounts reward regulars. For coffee enthusiasts, Illy’s presence marked a turning point, offering a taste of Italy’s finest beans. One Italian visitor even expressed pride in finding his country’s coffee brewed so well in Beijing. Over time, even non-coffee drinkers found themselves drawn to the culture.

CAT THE SHOP: A Lifestyle Extension

In 2002, Sculpting in Time expanded with “CAT THE SHOP,” a lifestyle annex offering coffee gear, handicrafts, and books. Located near its Weigongcun and Wudaokou branches, the shop sold items like Nepalese and Indian textiles, coffee equipment, and curated objects. Its thoughtful layout and unique merchandise turned it into a destination in itself. Eventually, CAT THE SHOP grew into an independent brand, “Life Style Collection,” now operating in multiple cities. The café’s philosophy extends to these spaces: every object has a story, and every detail contributes to a lived experience.

What Makes It Different?

Unlike chain cafés, Sculpting in Time resists homogenization. It embodies a specific way of life: intellectual, reflective, and community-driven. As an Austrian poet once described the ideal café: “It should be bright but not flashy, with a certain atmosphere—not just the smell of coffee. The owner is a friend, not intrusive. Regulars may know each other but don’t need to talk constantly. Coffee costs money, but time spent here does not.” Sculpting in Time embodies this spirit: a café that feels like your own living room, where time is carved into memory.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Sculpting in Time coffeehouse founded?

Sculpting in Time was founded on November 28, 1997, by two graduates who had just returned from Xinjiang. The founders were inspired by the region’s natural beauty and envisioned a café that reflected a similar sense of calm and wonder.

Where is the original location of Sculpting in Time?

The original location was on Chengfu Street, between Peking University’s east gate and Tsinghua University’s west gate. It later moved to a new spot near the south gate of the Beijing Institute of Technology in Weigongcun due to urban redevelopment.

What kind of coffee and food does Sculpting in Time serve?

The café serves Italian-style espresso drinks made with Illy coffee, including espresso, cappuccino, and latte. It also offers affordable Italian pasta dishes and homemade desserts like cheesecake, tiramisu, and muffins. Black coffee and Americano are refillable, and there are monthly food discounts.

What is CAT THE SHOP and how is it related to the café?

CAT THE SHOP is a lifestyle annex launched in 2002, selling coffee equipment, books, and handicrafts like textiles from Nepal and India. It evolved into an independent brand called “Life Style Collection” and operates in multiple cities, extending the café’s philosophy into a broader lifestyle space.

Why is the café named “Sculpting in Time”?

The name comes from Andrei Tarkovsky’s film autobiography, where “sculpting in time” refers to how cinema captures the passage of time. The café adopts this idea, aiming to be a space where time, conversations, and memories are preserved.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Literary Cafés

For a café like Sculpting in Time, where literature and coffee intertwine, try FrontStreet’s Ethiopia Humbera—bright with citrus and floral notes—or Yirgacheffe, offering jasmine and lemon brightness. Both single origins highlight the craft and conversation that define indie coffee spaces. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.