JF Books

JF Books is an independent bookstore in Washington, D.C.'s Dupont Circle neighborhood. It is notable as the only Chinese-language bookstore identified in the District and as the American continuation of Jifeng Bookstore, a Shanghai bookseller associated with liberal intellectual and cultural life in China. The business began in 1997 in Shanghai, where researcher Yan Bofei established its first shop near South Shaanxi Road station. The Chinese name, Jifeng Bookstore, means “monsoon.” Yan explained the name as a metaphor for the changing seasonal winds and the unsettled circumstances of modern China. In Shanghai, Jifeng developed a reputation for its selection of books on politics, philosophy, law, history, and related subjects. It was conceived as more than a retail outlet: lectures, discussions, and other public events made the bookstore a gathering place for readers, writers, researchers, and members of the city’s liberal intelligentsia. At its height, the business operated eight locations across Shanghai. Like many physical booksellers, it later faced financial pressure from online competition and rising property costs. Municipal authorities provided assistance during the 2000s and subsidized its brick-and-mortar operations in 2013, but the support did not continue after 2014. Yu Miao acquired the bookstore from Yan in 2012. During Yu’s ownership, the business reduced its physical footprint as rents increased and its event programming sometimes encountered official pressure, particularly when authorities objected to planned speakers or topics. By 2017, only the location at Shanghai Library station remained. The Shanghai Library, a government-owned landlord, then declined to renew the lease. A commemorative publication prepared for the bookstore’s twentieth anniversary was also recalled by its printer after authorities characterized it as an illegal publication. The Shanghai store closed in January 2018 after Yu said he was prevented from relocating the business and that local landlords had been pressured not to rent space to him. A planned farewell event was disrupted when the store was informed that its electricity and water would be shut off for maintenance. Customers nevertheless came to the shop, using phone lights to browse books while an employee performed music. Patrons and staff sang protest songs during the final evening. Yu later emigrated with his family to Florida. The business returned in a new form when Jifeng Bookstore reopened as JF Books on September 1, 2024, in Dupont Circle. The Washington store sells books in both Chinese and English, including titles from Hong Kong and Taiwan, and carries works banned in China as well as books by Chinese academics. Its role continues to extend beyond retail: the store hosts lectures and conversations with Chinese intellectuals and provides a physical setting for discussion within the Chinese-speaking community and the wider Washington literary scene. A wall displaying handwritten cards from customers of the former Shanghai store connects the American location with the brand’s earlier history. JF Books operates near the independent bookstore Kramers and presents itself as a small, culturally focused, independent bookseller rather than as part of a national retail chain.

JF Books traces its history to Jifeng Bookstore, founded in Shanghai in 1997 by Yan Bofei, a researcher at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences. The original shop opened near South Shaanxi Road station. Its name, meaning “monsoon,” was presented as an image of changing winds and the shifting circumstances of modern China. The Shanghai business became known for serious books on politics, philosophy, law, and history, and built a following among liberal intellectuals. It also functioned as a cultural venue, hosting lectures and discussions intended to make the bookstore a community space. At its peak, Jifeng operated eight locations in Shanghai. During the 2000s, the business encountered financial difficulties as online bookselling expanded. Municipal authorities offered assistance, and the city provided a subsidy for its physical stores in 2013. That support ended after 2014. Yu Miao purchased the business from Yan in 2012 and subsequently reduced its physical presence as rents rose. The bookstore also experienced official pressure concerning some speakers and topics for public events. By 2017, the Shanghai Library station store was the only remaining location. The government-owned Shanghai Library did not renew its lease, and a planned twentieth-anniversary book was recalled by its printer after being classified by authorities as an illegal publication. The final Shanghai store closed in January 2018. Yu said he had been prevented from moving the shop and that landlords had been discouraged from renting to him. A planned farewell gathering was disrupted when the store was told its electricity and water would be unavailable, but customers still arrived and browsed by phone light while staff and patrons performed and sang. Yu later moved with his family to Florida. On September 1, 2024, the bookstore reopened in Washington, D.C., under the name JF Books. Located in Dupont Circle near Kramers, the store sells Chinese- and English-language books, including titles from Hong Kong and Taiwan, works by Chinese academics, and books banned in China. It also continues the earlier bookstore’s tradition of lectures and discussions with Chinese intellectuals. A display of handwritten cards from former Shanghai customers provides a tangible link between the two locations.

• 2024

  JF Books opens in Washington, D.C.

  [1]JF Booksen.wikipedia.org

  The business reopens as JF Books in Dupont Circle, bringing its Chinese-language bookstore and discussion-space concept to the United States.

• 2018

  The final Shanghai store closes

  [1]JF Booksen.wikipedia.org

  Jifeng Bookstore shuts its last Shanghai location after lease and relocation difficulties.

• 2017

  The Shanghai Library location loses its lease

  [1]JF Booksen.wikipedia.org

  The landlord, Shanghai Library, notifies the bookstore that its remaining lease will not be extended.

• 2014

  Government subsidies end

  [1]JF Booksen.wikipedia.org

  The bookstore is informed that it will no longer receive further government subsidies.

• 2013

  Shanghai provides a bookstore subsidy

  [1]JF Booksen.wikipedia.org

  Municipal authorities provide financial support for the bookstore’s brick-and-mortar locations.

• 2012

  Yu Miao acquires the business

  [1]JF Booksen.wikipedia.org

  Yu Miao purchases Jifeng Bookstore from its founder, Yan Bofei.

• 2000

  The bookstore faces online competition

  [1]JF Booksen.wikipedia.org

  During the 2000s, online booksellers contribute to financial pressure on the physical bookstore business.

• 1997

  Jifeng Bookstore is founded in Shanghai

  [1]JF Booksen.wikipedia.org

  Yan Bofei establishes the first Jifeng Bookstore near South Shaanxi Road station in Shanghai.

An independent, discussion-oriented bookstore serving readers interested in Chinese-language literature, contemporary China, politics, history, philosophy, and intellectual exchange. Its Washington location combines book retail with a diaspora and free-expression mission inherited from the former Shanghai Jifeng Bookstore.

• Books · 1997

  Chinese-language books

  A core offering of JF Books is its selection of books in Chinese. The collection serves Chinese-speaking readers in the Washington area and reflects the store’s roots in Shanghai. The inventory includes literary, historical, philosophical, political, and contemporary works, with an emphasis on titles that support informed discussion of China and Chinese society.

• Books · 2024

  English-language books

  The Washington store also carries books in English, allowing it to serve readers beyond the Chinese-speaking community. English-language offerings complement the Chinese collection and help create a bilingual setting for readers interested in China, diaspora experiences, history, politics, culture, and intellectual debate.

• Books · 2024

  Books from Hong Kong and Taiwan

  JF Books stocks books published in or associated with Hong Kong and Taiwan. These titles broaden the store’s Chinese-language range and give customers access to publishing traditions and viewpoints from outside mainland China.

• Books · 2024

  Restricted and politically sensitive books

  A distinctive part of the store’s identity is its availability of books banned in China and works by Chinese academics. This selection positions JF Books as a source for materials that may be difficult to obtain through mainland Chinese retail channels.

• 2024

  Reopening as JF Books in Washington, D.C.Strategy

  Background

  After the Shanghai business closed and its operator relocated to the United States, the brand was re-established for a new audience in the Chinese-speaking and literary communities of Washington.

  Action taken

  The bookstore reopened under the shortened name JF Books in Dupont Circle, combining bilingual book retail with lectures and discussions.

  Aftermath

  The active Washington store extends the former Shanghai bookstore’s community-oriented model and emphasizes access to Chinese-language and politically restricted works.

  Source

• 2018

  Closure of the Shanghai operationStrategy

  Background

  The remaining Shanghai location lost its lease, and Yu reported that authorities prevented relocation by discouraging landlords from renting to the bookstore.

  Action taken

  The bookstore closed its final Shanghai location rather than continuing under the existing conditions.

  Aftermath

  Yu emigrated with his family to Florida, and the brand later reappeared in Washington, D.C.

  Source

• 2012

  Transfer of ownership to Yu MiaoStrategy

  Background

  The Shanghai bookstore was operating in a difficult environment shaped by online competition and pressure on physical retail.

  Action taken

  Yu Miao purchased the business from founder Yan Bofei and continued operating the Jifeng brand.

  Aftermath

  The business continued for several years but reduced its Shanghai footprint as rents increased and public programming encountered official pressure.

  Source

1. 1JF Booksen.wikipedia.org
2. 2JF Books official websitejfbooks.org