World’s First Travel Café Opens in Beijing’s Sanlitun

Travelers and book lovers in Beijing now have a new kind of space to explore—one that doesn’t require a plane ticket. On December 16, WorldFriends, a major Chinese travel platform, opened its first physical travel café in Beijing’s Solana Blue Harbor. This isn’t just another coffee shop. It’s designed as a hybrid space where the love of reading meets the thrill of exploring the world, all centered around the idea that ‘reading is a journey of the soul, and traveling is reading the world.’

The new WorldFriends travel café officially opened on December 16, 2023, in Beijing’s Solana Blue Harbor shopping district. It’s the company’s first such café in mainland China, combining books and coffee to create a community hub for travelers.

What Is the WorldFriends Travel Café?

The WorldFriends travel café is more than a place to grab a cup of coffee. It’s a physical extension of the online travel community that WorldFriends has built over the years. The concept ties together the ideas of exploration and reflection—encouraging visitors to engage with travel stories, destination guides, and personal narratives, all while enjoying specialty coffee.

Why Combine Books and Coffee for Travelers?

According to Zhang Pinghe, CEO of WorldFriends, the café embodies the company’s long-standing mission to support the spirit of independent travel. ‘Reading is a journey of the soul, and traveling is reading the world,’ Zhang said. By combining curated literature with quality coffee, the space aims to offer both inspiration and relaxation for those planning their next trip—or simply dreaming about one.

What Can Visitors Expect Inside?

While the official announcement didn’t list every detail, the café is described as an interactive space that bridges online and offline travel culture. It’s designed to serve as a meeting point for travelers, offering books as a way to explore destinations before visiting them, and coffee as a companion for both planning and reflecting. The atmosphere encourages lingering, reading, and conversation—all key elements of both travel and coffee culture.

How Does This Fit Into the Coffee and Travel Trend?

Globally, cafés themed around niche interests—like books, music, or travel—are growing in popularity. They provide immersive environments where customers can connect over shared passions. WorldFriends’ approach takes that trend a step further by focusing specifically on the travel community, using coffee as a medium to bring people together who are curious about the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did the WorldFriends travel café open in Beijing?

The WorldFriends travel café officially opened on December 16, 2023, in Beijing’s Solana Blue Harbor district. It is the company’s first physical travel café in mainland China.

Where is the WorldFriends travel café located?

The café is located in Beijing’s Solana Blue Harbor, a popular shopping and lifestyle destination in the city.

What is the concept behind the WorldFriends travel café?

The café combines the love of reading and coffee to promote the idea that ‘reading is a journey of the soul, and traveling is reading the world.’ It’s designed to inspire and support independent travelers through a blend of books and coffee.

Who is the CEO of WorldFriends?

Zhang Pinghe is the CEO of WorldFriends. He stated that the café reflects the company’s commitment to supporting the spirit of free and independent travel.

Is this the first travel café launched by WorldFriends?

Yes, this is the first travel café opened by WorldFriends in mainland China. It serves as a physical space that extends the company’s online travel community.

What makes this café different from other coffee shops?

Unlike typical coffee shops, this café integrates travel-themed books and resources with coffee, creating an interactive environment for travelers to explore destinations and ideas both before and after their journeys.