China has extremely long history of about 5,000 years, and there countless ancient streets left to record the multiple kinds of things happened at their homeland cities. But do you know which top streets to visit? Here we list the top 10 China old streets in 2023 with beautiful old structures, authentic local folk life, great places to taste the food there, and other special charm, for your nostalgia exploration of old China, such as Tunxi Old Street in Huangshan, Muslim Quarter in Xian, Jinli Old Street and Kuanzhai Alleys in Chengdu, Shantang Street and Pingjiang Road in Suzhou, etc. Let’s see each one at below before your go!
Location: Tunxi District, Huangshan City, Anhui Province
History: about 630 years
Visiting Time: 1-2 hours
Tunxi Old Street leaning the splendid Yellow Mountain is the best preserved pedestrian street with the building styles of Qing, Ming, and Song dynasties as far in China. Lying in Huangshan for over 600 years, this is one of the oldest streets with real old structures in China, and also the best streets to appreciate the typical architectural beauty of Hui style, which are featured with the white walls, black tiles, and exquisite carvings. Since Tunxi Street is a key business place made by the famous Anhui businessmen, there on the 853-meter long ancient street, you could find tens of time-honored stores presenting decent products like tea, ink and ink slabs, and so on. Besides, strolling on the street to admire the red lanterns and tasting the local Huangshan snacks are also favored by many tourists with special flavor. Check more about Tunxi Old Street.
Location: Beilin District, Xian City, Shaanxi Province
History: over 1,000 years
Visiting Time: 2-3 hours
This old street block is a paradise for foodies home and overseas. Moreover, it is really a good place to go to find the international charm and inclusive culture of Xian and China. Very near to the Drum Tower in Xian, the Muslim Quarter is not to be missed for a tourist to Xian, where hundreds of local snacks could be found effortlessly. As in the starting city of the significant ancient Silk Road which brought products and foreigners into Xian over 2,000 years ago, a special culture of people from multiple countries and regions gathering there harmoniously could be enjoyed. Therefore, if you visit Muslim Quarter, do not miss the typical old constructions combining the traditional Chinese architectural features and special Islamic styles together. Multiple types of tasteful food would please your taste bud highly. Check more about Muslim Quarter.
Location: Wuhou District, Chengdu City, Sichuan Province
History: over 1,800 years
Visiting Time: 2-3 hours
Has long been well known nationally, even from the Qin and Han dynasties, Jinli Old Street represents the hustle and bustle of the business street in ancient Shu Kingdom. Exquisite old wooden buildings with the bright red lanterns hung high on the eaves, hawking of the sellers in the stores along the streets, relaxing quiet bar, idyllic lakes, running streams and stone bridges, and visitors of distinct colors walking, etc., all that make Jinli a worth place to seek the old charm of Chengdu and the contrasting international elements in this magical city. By the way, Jinli Ancient Street is famous for the local food of Sichuan flavor, good for a new taste. Check more about Jinli Ancient Street.
Location: Shangcheng District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province
History: 1127 AD – 1279 AD
Visiting Time: 2-3 hours
Hefang Street is the best preserved ancient street and the most well-known one in Hangzhou city. Hefang Street shows the prosperity and ancient flavor of this city of heaven. Along the over 1800 meters long pedestrian street featured with the style of late Qing dynasty and early Republic of China period, the famous Five Hangzhou Specialties are provided in the time-honored shops, which are Hangzhou face powder, scissors, fans, tobaccos, and threads. During your roaming on the flagstone walkway with old architectures standing by, the profound and unique culture and handicraft art of Hangzhou that is once an ancient capital in China, would authentically go into your mind. More importantly, Hu Qing Yu Tang and Hu xueyan’s former Residence are especially great to know about the story of the famous businessman Hu Xueyan and more knowledge about traditional Chinese medicine. Check more about Hefang Street.
Location: Chengguan District, Lhasa City, Tibet Autonomous Region
History: over 1,300 years
Visiting Time: 1-2 hours
Want to see the original look of Lhasa? Barkhor Street should be in your top choices. You would feel the religion is so magic while walking on the street, where pilgrims from different places of the world worship with turning the prayer wheels, kneel down, etc. That is just because their devout belief to the Buddhism. Moreover, there are many well preserved buildings along the street. The peculiar and colorful constructions of Tibetan styles on both sides of the street are really beautiful, especially seen under the sunshine. Since this holy circumambulatioin is built around the famous Jokhang Temple, you are highly recommended to visit there during your discovery in Lhasa. Check more about Barkhor Street.
Location: Gusu District, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province
History: over 1,160 years
Visiting Time: 2-3 hours
Reputed as the “Miniature of Old Suzhou and Window of Wu Culture”, Shantang Street of over 1,100 years old is a must-visiting place to admire the romantic ancient charm of Suzhou city. With the old river goes through different places in this old city, you would easily enjoy the fun and surprises while appreciating the scenery of Chinese ink painting, watching boats sailing your windows in the restaurants or opera house onshore, etc. Apart from the wandering on the old street to watch the prosperous scene, you could also take a sightseeing boat to appreciate the classic antique houses passing by and know about more interesting stories of the old Suzhou Canal. Check more about Shantang Street.
Location: Pingjiang District, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province
History: about 800 years
Visiting Time: 2-3 hours
Pingjiang Road is reputed as the epitome of old Suzhou city. This about 1600 meters long ancient road along the river is romantic and antique. There are many narrow lanes reaching crosswise, old stone bridges connecting to the local old residents, featured restaurants and boutiques, etc. Therefore, you will find it interesting and like a maze. Life changes so simple and easy on Pingjiang Road. Whether you choose to tasting the local snacks while walking on the uneven old paths, appreciating the river landscape during your dining moment, or enjoying the traditional Kun Opera in a small tea house, finding never-seen small handicrafts, time would take you to the past Suzhou to immerse into its classic culture. Check more about Pingjiang Road.
Location: Qingyang District, Chengdu City, Sichuan Province
History: about 300 years
Visiting Time: 2-3 hours
Kuaizhai Alley is a Qing styled street block in Chengdu city. Being one of must-visit places in this city of leisure, the three main narrow alleys, namely the Kuan Alley, Zhai Alley and Jing Alley are left from the Qing dynasty with good scale. Taking a cozy stroll along the three paralleled alleys, you would admire the archaistic quadrangle dwellings with black tiles and bricks, which form a great atmophere to trace back to hundreds of years ago. Besides, in this famous attraction, you would see many interesting sculptures, paintings, and carvings on the wall, which are often chosen for selfies or photographs. At night when all the lights lit up, Kuanzhai Alley is particularly charming, and you could sit in a bar, restaurant or café to enjoy the distinct of this old place. Once you pay a visit there, you would find why Kuanzhai Alley is so popular among visitors domestically and globally. Check more about Kuanzhai Alley.
Location: Shapingba District, Chongqing
History: over 1,000 years
Visiting Time: 2-3 hours
Ciqikou Ancient Town is to some extent an old street block. Boasting 1 river, 2 streams, 3 mountains and 4 streets, Ciqikou is reputed as the “Little Chongqing” to symbolize the culture, history, and image of old Chongqing city. This old street is quite different from other tops. Because of the unique mountain landscape in Chongqing by rivers, it enables people to admire the beauty of the streets in different directions and the typical mountainside folk residences in eastern Sichuan area. Also, there are a series of local skill performances, like powder figure making, Sichuan opera singing, etc. It creates great time to experience the art of folk masters. As it is a great resort place of local Chongqing people to get relaxed and entertained, you could have fun along the way and get close to the real life style there. Besides, the world famous spicy food of wonderful flavor would lighten your go. Check more about Ciqikou Ancient Town.
Location: Xicheng District, Beijing City
History: over 450 years
Visiting Time: 2 hours
Hutong in Beijing is really famous, and the Tobacco Pipe Byway or Yan Dai Xie jie, is a typical old hutong in Beijing. Its special name comes from the look of the street like a tobacco pipe and its past business of tobaccos. This street of more than 200 meters long is a particular business pedestrian street remaining the traditional culture and folk art in Beijing. When you taking a light walk there, the featured paper cutting, sugar-figure blowing, mold clay figuring, and many other treasurable folk handicrafts would be enjoyed vividly. Despite that, a lot of small shops continue providing various kinds of smoking sets, Chinese painting and calligraphic works, antiques, jades, and so forth. Therefore, this special street of Beijing Hutong style is a great place to enjoy the traditional culture in past Beijing. Also, because of the old structures and different visitors coming and leaving, you could get into the beauty of the architectures and people through your lens. Check more about Beijing Hutongs.
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Besides the top 10 old streets recommended above, there still are many worth-visiting streets, roads, or street blocks for your seeking for ancient flavor of China, such as Guozijian (the Imperial College) in Beijing, Duolun Road in Shanghai, Zhongyang Street in Harbin, and so on. Set off to visit the old streets to savor more!
The top China old streets are all easy to be found as their good connection with the local transportation. If you are planning to visit to discover the beautiful architectures, culture, history, and their other shining points, you could travel with China Discovery. Our local guide would give wonderful introduction to let you enjoy the real essences of the streets. Besides, the private transfer service would save your time for waiting for the vehicles and other parts along the road. You just have a relaxing rest on the private car and focus on the highlights. For more details about private tour with China Discovery, you could contact our professional Travel Consultant who would help tailor make your tour best suitable for your needs and budget.
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