1. City Lights Books, San Francisco, United States

City Lights, an independent bookstore-publisher combination specializing in world literature, the arts and progressive politics, is still one of the world's greatest bookshops since its establishment by poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti and Peter D. Martin (who left two years later) in 1953. It became well-known with publishing Allen Ginsberg's influential poem "Howl and Other Poems" (City Lights, 1956). Having been a gathering place for American literary icons, like Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg, this 'Literary Landmark' attracts booklovers from across the country and around the world to browse, read, and just soak in the pleasant ambiance. (Photo: china.org.cn)