An old books market is opened by the Zhapu Road Bridge over the Suzhou Creek from Oct 24 to 29.

"Vintage books, signed books and rare books that are no longer in print are our specialties," said Jin Minsheng, vice president of Shanghai Books Co Ltd, a leading trader of used books in Shanghai of over 70 years history.

At lunch hour on Tuesday, the first day of the market event, enthusiastic readers crowded under the sales tent, waiting in line to make payment.

"The outdoor book sellers by the Seine has long been a unique tourism attraction in Paris of France, and we hope to introduce a similar experience to the city of Shanghai," Jin said.

Shanghai was the birth place of China's publishing and print industries in the 20th century, and an important center for the trading of vintage and rare books. "We hope this outdoor market event could bring people closer to the cultural heritage of the city, as they browse old books in the pleasant autumn sunlight," Jin said.

This is the second market event the company held by the Suzhou Creek this year. More than 9,000 copies of books were sold at the first event, despite of rainy weather.