Chowrasta Market Second-Hand Bookshops

Chowrasta Market Second-Hand Bookshops (7 January 2017)


Chowrasta Market Second-Hand Bookshops is the biggest congregation of second hand bookshops in Penang. It is located on the first floor of the Chowrasta Market building between the car park and the apparel section.

The second-hand bookshops moved to Chowrasta Market in the early 1980's after being shifted from its previous location in front of the former King Edward VII Memorial Hospital Building at Macalister Road.

I have fond memories of visiting the Chowrasta Market Second Hand Bookshops for it is here that I got my collection of old National Geographic Magazines. Apart from that, the book shops also sell romance novels, photography magazines, and other publications.

The second-hand bookshops operated in a rather dingy condition for many years until the market underwent a full makeover between 2013 and 2017. When I revisited the second-hand bookshops in January, 2017, I saw that it is orderly and clean. The shopkeepers only have to pay a rental of RM120 per month to operate their second-hand bookshops. They were given even more room than before, as now each bookshop has an additional split-level mezzanine for additional books.

The second-hand bookshops of Chowrasta Market. (7 January 2017)


Books and more books at a Chowrasta Market Second-Hand Bookshop (7 January 2017)


Everwhere you look, you see books at Chowrasta Market Second-Hand Bookshops (7 January 2017)

Getting there

Take the Free Rapid Penang Shuttle Bus to Bus Stop No. 8 (Lebuh Campbell) and walk a short distance down Penang Road to Chowrasta Market.

Chowrasta Market's Second-Hand Bookshops, before the 2013-2017 Restoration

Chowrasta Market Second-Hand Bookshops (1 March 2009)


Chowrasta Market Second-Hand Bookshops (1 March 2009)


Chowrasta Market Second-Hand Bookshops (1 March 2009)


Books galore at the second-hand bookshops of Chowrasta Market (1 March 2009)