Publishing professionals from around the world meet at the fair. [Photo by Zou Hong/China Daily]

Integration

Foodies and tech fans also found the fair worthwhile as publishers sought more integration with other industries.

Master chefs cooked at the fair, and virtual reality and other advanced interactive technologies were showcased in a specially-built hall.

Another highlight was creative cultural products.

The fair first brought in such content in 2016. And now, companies and 40 museums, including the Palace Museum, were at the fair with their wares.

Commenting on the offerings, a visitor says: "I thought I was attending a book fair, but it felt like I was at a world expo."