Floating bookshop docks at Hualien Port

Taipei, Jan. 18 (CNA) The Doulos Hope, the world's largest floating bookshop, docked at Hualien Port on Thursday and is open to the public until Feb. 2, the Hualien County government said in a press release Friday.

The ship has books that fall into more than 2,000 categories, including science, arts, medicine and children's books, the release said.

The Taiwan Tourist Shuttle service will set up a temporary stop, "Doulos Hope Hualien," on its 310 route to encourage people to take public transport, the release added.

The bookstore is open from 1 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and is closed on Tuesdays. Entrance costs NT$50 (US$1.52), but is free for children aged 6 and under and seniors aged 65 and above. Visits must be booked in advance.

The Doulos Hope is operated by GBA Ships -- "Gute Bücher für Alle" or "Good Books for All." Its ships have docked at more than 480 different ports in more than 150 countries and territories since 1970, according to the organization's official website.

The ship left its first stop in Taiwan, Kaohsiung Port, earlier in January. It is set to also stop in Keelung from Feb. 7 to March 9.