Geraldine Lai
Love the collection of Chinese children's books here. Friendly and helpful staff En Ling and Maggie make selecting books here a breeze.
Location: 231 Bain St, #03-07/#03-11/#02-15, Complex 180231
Floor 3 · Bras Basah Complex
Established Chinese bookstore at Bras Basah Complex since 1969 with vast children's selection.
Established Chinese bookstore at Bras Basah Complex since 1969 with vast children's selection.
Maha Yu Yi is one of Singapore's most established Chinese-language bookstores, having served readers since 1969 from its premises at Bras Basah Complex. The shop operates across two units: one catering to adults with fiction, literature, philosophy, traditional Chinese medicine and self-help titles, and another specialising in Chinese children's books with over a thousand picture books from Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Western authors. Maha Yu Yi also supplies schools, kindergartens and libraries with curated Chinese-language collections, and carries calendars and stamps from China. Its reputation for carrying the widest range of quality Chinese picture books in Singapore makes it a go-to resource for parents and educators. Visit Maha Yu Yi at Bras Basah Complex to explore a world of Chinese publishing that few other bookshops can match.Based on 69 Google reviews
Based on customer ratings
Based on customer ratings
No negative reviews yet.
Geraldine Lai
Love the collection of Chinese children's books here. Friendly and helpful staff En Ling and Maggie make selecting books here a breeze.
Ruijie Zhang
Great selection of books here for kids 0 and upwards. We wanted to get our toddler acquainted with Chinese and were really happy to find what we were looking for. The environment is calming and conducive for kids who are book lovers. The …
Che C
This cozy bookstore not only sells a wide range of Chinese books, but also regularly hosts author sharing sessions where writers bring their stories to life 🎤📖 …
Jack Sheo
Maha Yu Yi is a bookshop (at a corner) of Bras Basah that sells only Chinese books. …
Jackson Neo
Don't think you can find a better Chinese bookstore for children's books. Besides being well-stocked and organized by age group, staff were also able to recommend a wide range of age-appropriate books.
Maha Yu Yi 友谊书斋
Maha Yu Yi bookstore
The exterior of a bookstore with the name "Maha Yu Yi" visible above the entrance. Books are displayed on shelves outside the store and on a table covered with a red cloth. A sign with Chinese characters and a red stamp is also visible.
Maha Yu Yi Bookstore
The exterior of a bookstore with large glass windows and doors. The store's name, "Maha Yu Yi," is visible in English and Chinese characters above the entrance. Books are displayed on shelves outside the store and on rolling carts. Promotional posters and newspapers are displayed on the windows.
Bookstore Entrance
The exterior of a bookstore with a green painted facade. A dark sign with red Chinese characters and the number #03-07 is mounted above the entrance. To the left of the entrance is a large vertical banner advertising "CHINESE-ENGLISH ALMANAC CALENDARS" for 2026, with details about services like "Marriage" and "Tailoring a wedding gown". The entrance itself is a glass door leading into a well-lit interior with shelves of books visible. A "HOLIDAY CLOSURE NOTICE" is posted on the glass door.
Chun Violins Shop Front
A long shot of a shop front with large glass windows and a black facade. The words "CHUN VIOLINS" are visible in gold lettering on the black facade. The shop appears to be an establishment selling violins. The walkway in front of the shop is tiled with a diamond pattern.
Bookstore Entrance
The exterior of a bookstore with a green painted wall and a wooden sign with Chinese characters. The store has a glass door revealing shelves of books inside. There are posters on the door and a sign with store hours.
Maha Yu Yi Pte Ltd
The exterior of a bookstore with a large sign that reads "MAHA YU YI PTE LTD". The storefront features glass doors and windows, revealing shelves filled with books inside. A mural of a girl and rabbits in a grassy field is painted on the left side of the entrance.
Children's Bookstore
A brightly lit sign with red Chinese characters on a dark background hangs above the entrance to a bookstore. The sign reads "友書誼齋" and has the number "#03-07" below it. To the left of the entrance, two posters are displayed on a lime green wall. One poster has the title "物说新语" and dates "28 Jan - 29 Feb 2024". The other poster has the title "张纸, 牵出家族的历史" and the date "Feb 2024". The entrance itself is a white door with a silver handle. Above the door, a sign indicates "CHILDREN'S BOOKSTORE" and lists operating hours. To the right of the entrance, a wall made of glass blocks is visible, with a poster that says "Now... ABC..." and a calendar with the number "2" prominently displayed.
Maha Yu Yi Pte. Ltd.
The exterior of a bookstore with a large mural of a girl and rabbits in a field. The store name "MAHA YU YI PTE. LTD." is visible in blue lettering above the entrance. A red sign with Chinese characters is also displayed. Through the glass doors, shelves of books are visible.
Bookstore Entrance
The exterior of a bookstore with shelves of books visible through the glass entrance. A large mural of a tree and a girl is on the left side of the entrance. Christmas decorations are hung above the bookshelves. The store sign reads "MAPA YU YI PTE LTD" and Chinese characters.
Maha Yu Yi Pte Ltd
The exterior of a bookstore with shelves of books visible inside. A sign above the entrance reads "MAHA YU YI PTE LTD". There is a display rack of books outside the entrance. The store has large glass windows with a mural of a tree and children.
Bookstore Entrance
A wide-angle view of a bookstore entrance with a whimsical, tree-like pillar in the foreground. The pillar has a small, cartoonish owl face peeking out of a window and a tiny door at its base. A circular sign with Chinese characters and a rainbow motif hangs above the pillar. The bookstore itself has large glass windows revealing shelves packed with books. The interior is brightly lit, and the walls are decorated with colorful murals depicting a pastoral scene with trees, hills, and swans. The floor is tiled in a diamond pattern with red lines marking a path.
Children's Book Corner
The exterior of a children's bookstore is visible through a glass door. Inside, shelves are filled with books, and a red table and blue stool are placed in the foreground. A banner with Chinese characters and a rainbow is displayed above the entrance. Cardboard cutouts of cartoon characters stand near the entrance.
Children's Bookstore
A corner storefront with a large, decorative tree trunk column. The shop has glass windows displaying shelves of books. The exterior features colorful murals of a whimsical landscape with trees and animals. A sign with Chinese characters and a rainbow motif is visible.
Bookstore Entrance
The exterior of a bookstore with shelves full of books visible through the glass entrance. The store has a whimsical mural of a tree and a landscape on the wall. A sign with Chinese characters and a rainbow is visible above the entrance.
Bookstore Presentation
A woman is giving a presentation in a bookstore. She is sitting at a table with a book and a bottle of water in front of her. Behind her are shelves filled with books. A large screen displays an image of two people.
Bookstore Interior with Stairs
The image shows the interior of a bookstore with shelves filled with books. A staircase leads upwards, with signs indicating "More Books Upstairs". Various books are displayed on shelves and on the stairs. Artwork and calendars are hung on the wall.
Books on Shelves
A close-up view of bookshelves filled with various books. The books are arranged in rows, with some standing upright and others lying flat. The spines of the books display titles in Chinese characters. In the foreground, several books are fanned out, revealing their covers and titles. The overall impression is of a bookstore or library setting.
Bookshelves filled with books
A close-up shot of several bookshelves packed with various books. The books are arranged in rows and columns, with some standing upright and others lying flat. The spines of the books display titles and authors in different languages, primarily Chinese and some English. The shelves are white and appear to be made of wood. The lighting is bright, illuminating the titles and covers of the books.
People browsing books in a store
A group of people are gathered inside a store, browsing through books on shelves. The store is decorated with Singaporean flags and banners. There is a large screen displaying an image of a person in a garden. The shelves are filled with books of various sizes and colors. Some people are standing and looking at the books, while others are walking around.
Children's Books Display
A display of children's books categorized by age group, with promotional stickers. The books feature colorful illustrations and titles in Chinese and English.
Bookstore aisle
A view down a narrow aisle in a bookstore, with shelves of books lining both sides. Books are also displayed on tables covered with dark red tablecloths. The ceiling has fluorescent lighting.
Bookshelves with various books
A close-up shot of several shelves filled with books. The books are mostly in Japanese and Chinese, with some featuring manga and illustrated covers. The shelves are organized and appear to be in a bookstore or library. Some books have price tags attached.
BuySingLit Book Vouchers and Reading Lists
A red poster advertises the redemption of #BuySingLit book vouchers and a free tote bag with a $30 purchase. It also provides event dates. To the right, a green chart displays book covers categorized by color and reading levels, with titles in Chinese and English: 'I Can Read' and 'I Love Reading'.
Bookstore Interior
A long aisle in a bookstore, with shelves packed with books on both sides. Books are also displayed on tables covered with dark red cloths. The lighting is fluorescent, and the floor is tiled.
Presentation with food image and books
A woman is giving a presentation in front of a bookshelf filled with books. She is holding a round, brown object in her hand. A large screen behind her displays an image of a bowl of food. The bookshelf contains various books, some with colorful covers depicting illustrations. A sign on the bookshelf indicates "50% off". A laptop is on a table in front of the presenter. The audience is partially visible in the foreground.
Books on Shelves
A close-up view of several bookshelves filled with various books, primarily manga and novels. The books are arranged in rows, with some standing upright and others stacked horizontally. The spines of the books display titles in Chinese characters, and some feature colorful illustrations. The shelves appear to be made of wood.
Books on a Shelf
A bookshelf filled with various books. In the foreground, a stack of books is visible, with the top book featuring the title "COVID-19 The Great Reset" in English and Chinese. The book discusses the post-pandemic era and its global implications.
Children's Mural
A colorful mural depicting children and whimsical elements. On the left, a child blows bubbles in a sky with clouds. To the right, a girl stands among large flowers with rabbits. The mural is painted on a wall with a tiled floor in front.
Bookstore Event
A woman and a man are standing in front of bookshelves, addressing an audience. A large screen displays an image of a woman preparing food. The room appears to be a bookstore or library, with many books on display.
Books Display
A display of various books, mostly in Chinese, arranged on shelves and a table covered with a red cloth. Some books are stacked, while others are displayed individually. A computer monitor is visible on the left.
Children Reading Books
Three children are sitting on a wooden floor, engrossed in reading books. The child in the foreground wears a yellow t-shirt with a giraffe print and is reading a large, open book with illustrations of sea creatures. To their left, another child in a yellow t-shirt is also reading. Further back, a child in a pink t-shirt reads a book. Books are visible on shelves to the left of the frame. The scene appears to be indoors, possibly a library or bookstore, with a glass partition reflecting the floor pattern.
Year of the Ox Themed Envelopes
A collection of envelopes featuring artwork and stamps related to the Year of the Ox. Some envelopes have illustrations of bulls and people, while others display stamps with bull imagery and Chinese text. One envelope is dated 2021 and includes a calendar. Another has a price tag of $2.00.
Zhongyi Neikexue Biji Tujie
A book titled "Zhongyi Neikexue Biji Tujie" (Traditional Chinese Medicine Internal Medicine Notes and Illustrations) is shown. The cover is orange with floral patterns and features Chinese characters and Pinyin. The bottom part of the cover is off-white with decorative patterns and text indicating it is published by Chemical Industry Press, Biology and Medicine Publishing Branch.
Mural of a child blowing bubbles
A colorful mural depicts a child wearing a blue hat and an orange shirt, joyfully blowing bubbles in a field of flowers. The child is holding a bubble wand and has striped pants. Two small animals, possibly hamsters, are visible in the grass. The background is a bright blue sky with fluffy white clouds and large, iridescent bubbles. The mural covers a wall in what appears to be a hallway or walkway, with tiled flooring visible in the foreground.
Bookstore Advertisement
A collage of images showcasing a bookstore, including its exterior, interior shelves filled with books, and framed calligraphy. Text in Chinese and English states "友谊书斋 since 1969" (Youyi Bookstore since 1969) and describes it as "Singapore's most abundant Chinese bookstore with guaranteed quality and a long-standing reputation."
Children's Book Corner
A young boy sits at a small red table, reading a book, in a children's book corner. Shelves filled with books are visible on the left, and a poster is hanging on the right. The text on the glass door reads "CHILDREN'S BOOK CORNER" and "ART-FRIEND".
Family reading books
A family is gathered together, with adults and children reading books. The scene appears to be in a library or bookstore, with shelves of books visible in the background.
2019 Chinese New Year Calendar
A red calendar page for 2019 features a vibrant illustration of traditional Chinese deities and children celebrating. The top of the page has Chinese characters and the year 2019 prominently displayed. Below the illustration, there is a logo for "SAILING BOAT ALENDAR" with the text "#168 Chinese-English Almanac" and "Happy New Year". A red seal with Chinese characters is also visible on the right side.
Opening Hours Sign
A sign displaying the opening hours of a business, written in both Chinese and English. It also indicates closures on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Below the opening hours, there are logos for SafeEntry and TraceTogether, and a "CHECK IN" banner.
Storytelling & Craft Session Poster
A poster advertises a storytelling and craft session for children aged 4-7 years old. The event is titled 'Sunshine Little Theatre' and features a book cover illustration. It will take place on Saturday, August 10, from 4:00 to 5:15 PM at Bras Basah Complex #03-11. Registration is available via a provided URL. The poster is displayed in front of bookshelves filled with books.
Small wooden door on a tree-like structure
A small, arched wooden door is set into a textured, tree-like structure. The door is made of vertical wooden planks and has visible hinges on the left side. A black latch and a small brass padlock secure the door on the right. The surrounding structure is dark brown and black, with a rough, organic texture.
Explorer Coursebooks
Three coursebooks titled "Explorer" are displayed on a red surface. The books are labeled Coursebook 1, Coursebook 2, and Coursebook 3. The covers feature scenic landscapes and the title in English and Chinese. The books are part of the IB Diploma Programme for Chinese B: SL & HL.
Children's Book
A close-up shot of a children's book with a watercolor illustration on the cover. The book is titled "请问一下, 踩得到底吗?" which translates to "Excuse me, can I step to the bottom?". The illustration depicts a cat and a stingray in water, with a path leading down to the water. Another book is visible in the background.
Mural with birds and girl
A mural painted on a brick wall features several colorful birdhouses, whimsical birds, and a cartoon-style girl with a purple flower in her hair. Pink and red leaves are scattered around, connected by white vine-like elements. A green, leafy border runs along the bottom of the mural. The artist's initials, KF, are visible in the lower right corner.
Books
Two books are placed on a wooden surface. The book on the left is red with a colorful illustration of a traditional Chinese deity and children carrying gold ingots. The book on the right has a photograph of a woman tending to plants and text in Chinese.
People browsing books
A group of people, including children and adults, are browsing books in a store. Books are displayed on shelves and tables. One child is reading a large book, while an adult holds a book and looks at the shelves.
Cartoon character cutout with promotional sign
A cardboard cutout of a cartoon boy with pink mittens and hearts around his head stands on a tiled floor. In front of the cutout is a sign with Chinese text and a smaller image of a cartoon character. Behind the cutout, bookshelves filled with books are visible through a glass window.
Bookshelves with Children's Books
A close-up view of several wooden bookshelves filled with children's books, primarily in Chinese. The books are arranged in rows, with some standing upright and others lying flat. The spines and covers of the books display colorful illustrations and Chinese characters. Some books have titles like "神农鞭药" (Shen Nong's Herbal Medicine), "盗御马" (Stealing the Imperial Horse), "公园里的声音" (Sounds in the Park), "我妈妈" (My Mom), "小种子" (Little Seed), and "爸爸, 我要月" (Dad, I Want the Moon). There are also small wooden tags on the shelves labeled "FAVOURITE AUTHORS".
Bookstore Talk
A group of people are seated, facing a woman who is speaking at a podium in front of bookshelves. Singaporean flags are strung across the ceiling. A screen displays text in Chinese about Southeast Asian food culture.
My Neighbor Totoro Book
A book cover featuring characters from My Neighbor Totoro is displayed on a wooden shelf in front of bookshelves. The book is in Chinese and appears to be an authorized edition.
Bookstore Interior
The image shows the interior of a bookstore with shelves full of books. An opening hours sign is prominently displayed.
Bookstore Interior
A view inside a bookstore with shelves and tables filled with books. The shelves are organized by genre or author, with black signs indicating categories like "老舍" (Lao She), "鲁迅" (Lu Xun), and "傅雷" (Fu Lei). Tables in the foreground display stacks of books, some with colorful covers and others in white or blue. The overall impression is of a well-stocked and organized bookstore.
Bookstore Entrance with Cartoon Character
A brightly lit bookstore with shelves full of books is visible through a glass storefront. A large, smiling cartoon rabbit character stands outside the entrance. The store has a whimsical mural of a tree and landscape on its exterior wall. A red cart with books is placed near the entrance. The walkway in front of the store is tiled with a diamond pattern.
核心逆齡 節拍超慢跑
A book cover titled "Core Anti-Aging: Slow Jogging with Beat". The cover features an image of a man running and illustrations of exercises. It highlights benefits such as building muscle, reducing pain, improving metabolism, and preventing age-related diseases. It also includes testimonials from over 1,000 students and endorsements from various professionals.
Story House Logo
A colorful illustration featuring a rainbow arching over large red Chinese characters that appear to say "Friendship" or "Companionship." Below these characters is a yellow house shape with green Chinese characters that read "Story House." To the left of the house is a small mushroom, and perched on the top left of the large red characters is a teal owl. To the right of the house, a small wooden sign hangs, displaying red Chinese characters.
AFCC 2019 Poster
A poster advertising the Asian Festival of Children's Content (AFCC) 2019, held from September 5-8 at the National Library Building. The poster features a grid of children's books categorized by color and reading level, with titles like "I Can Read" and "I Love Reading." The right side of the poster announces the festival, lists featured speakers, and promotes an early bird discount on festival passes.
Red Stamp with White Japanese Text
A square red background with a white serrated border resembling a postage stamp. In the center, large white Japanese characters are displayed. The top row has two characters, and the bottom row has two characters. The characters appear to be stylized and bold.
Bookstore Interior
A view down the aisle of a bookstore, with shelves of books lining both sides and tables of books in the center. Orange signs hang from the ceiling, indicating different sections such as "Mechanical Industry", "Traditional Chinese Medicine", "Health and Wellness", and "Classical Literature". Smaller signs on the shelves indicate categories like "Leisure", "Geography", "Literary Theory", "University Studies", "Sports and Fitness", "Health Knowledge", "Maternal and Child Health Care", and "Dietary Adjustments".
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