Shenyang’s Best Specialty Café: Xixi Bookstore’s Vector Coffee

If you're looking for a place in Shenyang where you can sip coffee, browse books, and enjoy some quiet downtime, especially during the winter months, you’ll be pleased to know there's a local gem that combines all three. This article introduces you to one of the city’s most unique cultural and coffee spaces—Xixi Bookstore’s Vector Coffee—located in the bustling heart of downtown.

Xixi Bookstore’s second Shenyang location opened in 2016 at City Plaza , making it a go-to destination for book lovers and coffee drinkers alike. The on-site Vector Coffee serves professionally crafted Italian espresso alongside desserts, creating a relaxed environment for reading, socializing, or simply unwinding.

The Story Behind Xixi Bookstore

Xixi Bookstore began in 1993 as a 20-square-meter independent shop in Zunyi, Guizhou. Founded by a group of book enthusiasts with a vision for cultural realism, the name is inspired by Greek mythology’s Sisyphus—who endlessly pushed a boulder uphill—as a metaphor for perseverance and upward growth. The brand has since grown into a cultural hub with locations across China, including this second outpost in Shenyang.

What Is PAPK?

PAPK is Xixi’s compact yet thoughtfully designed reading space. The name suggests a place for people to pause, explore, and connect. Drawing from European window-display traditions, PAPK showcases quality books and creative products, sharing handwritten reflections from visitors. It blends cultural independence with urban life, making reading a casual, everyday activity.

About Vector Coffee

Vector Coffee, known as “Up Coffee” in English, takes its name from the vector concept—a quantity with both magnitude and direction—symbolizing continual upward motion like Sisyphus’s myth. The café features a European-inspired interior with large glass windows, ideal for reading. It focuses on professional Italian espresso, handcrafted desserts, and a cozy atmosphere for conversation or quiet reflection. A good coffee, a great book, and the right music define the Vector experience.

Creative Space: (Buer Life)

The Buer Life area functions as a community art stage. It stocks curated cultural and creative goods, including products from well-known brands and original items designed by Xixi itself—like notebooks, coffee mugs, bookmarks, and fabric bags. This section appeals to those who value unique lifestyle products and artistic expression, bridging the gap between literature and visual art.

Children’s Reading Program: 7&12

The 7&12 Reading Workshop is an educational initiative designed to nurture reading habits in children aged 0–12. It segments young readers into seven age-appropriate themes, each with tailored books and related products. Regular storytelling and learning sessions help develop literacy skills, while the in-house magazine 《》 fosters communication between the bookstore and its young audience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Xixi Bookstore’s Vector Coffee located in Shenyang?

Xixi Bookstore’s Vector Coffee is located at No. 288 Qingnian Street, on the southwest corner of City Plaza , in the basement level. It’s easily accessible in the heart of downtown Shenyang.

What kind of coffee does Vector Coffee serve?

Vector Coffee specializes in professional Italian espresso drinks, served alongside carefully prepared Western-style pastries. The focus is on high-quality brews in a cozy, reading-friendly environment.

What is PAPK and what does it offer?

PAPK is a compact, European-style reading nook within Xixi Bookstore that displays curated books and creative products. It encourages visitors to pause, explore, and engage with both literature and community-contributed thoughts.

Does Xixi have a section for children?

Yes, the 7&12 program is designed for children aged 0–12. It provides age-specific reading themes, book recommendations, and educational workshops to promote early literacy.

What makes Vector Coffee different from other cafés?

Beyond serving espresso and desserts, Vector Coffee is part of a larger cultural complex that includes a bookstore, creative space, and children’s reading program—all designed to support a modern, literate, and relaxed lifestyle.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Café Reading

For a café like Xixi Bookstore’s Vector Coffee, we recommend FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera—bright with citrus and floral notes—or Yirgacheffe for its juicy body and berry tones. Both single origins shine in pour-over or espresso and pair beautifully with a good book. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.