A comprehensive reading and art exhibition space opened to the public in Beijing's Huairou district on Saturday.

Being first of its kind in the district, the Cang Space, built in the style of a classical Chinese study and not far from the Yanqi Lake, has specially designed sections for tasting tea, burning incense, and experiencing flower arrangement, seal cutting and dyeing, apart from rows of book shelves and desks.

The venue will be used to promote quality reading experience, aesthetic education and improve cultural life of the surrounding communities.

Books on sale at the space are mainly in such fields as culture and art, while an exhibition of works by 50 contemporary artists is running with the launch of the space. According to children's literature writer Teng Jing, who's in charge of the space, an estimated eight to 12 exhibitions of various kinds will be held throughout the year.

Teng said the venue is located at a living zone with shopping and entertaining resources, and the Cang Space wants to meet the residents' need for a spiritual and cultural life within their own community.

Liu Yajing, deputy director of the district's culture and tourism bureau, said the space will provide residents and visitors with public cultural services, a place for reading, book launch, exhibition, intangible cultural heritage and traditional culture experiences, among others.

She added more comprehensive cultural spaces like this are under consideration.