Tangqi Ancient Town is located in Yuhang District. It is the starting point of the Hangzhou section of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. The canal passes through the ancient town. On both sides are old houses with an antique flavor, and ancient bridges connect them on the river. Tangqi is famous for its loquats and traditional pastries. Every year in late May when the loquats turn yellow, there is always a lively scene here for a while. Many people from Hangzhou come here to eat loquats.
Highlights of the ancient town: The ancient town is an open block. Visiting the old street is free, and only a few venues charge fees. However, the free Guangji Bridge, Emperor Qianlong’s stele, Guo Pu’s well, and the Canal Granary Museum are the essence of the ancient town. They are all genuine historical sites. The museum is also quite stylishly built, allowing one to sense Tangqi’s history as an important water transportation hub back then. The Shuibei Street and Shuinan Street on both sides of the canal are the main tourist areas of the ancient town. There are more scenic spots on Shuibei Street. Xi Yaozhai, Tangqi Shuibei Grain Station, the Christian church, and the famous Emperor Qianlong’s stele are all on the street along the river. Looking from a distance, it is magnificent yet aesthetically pleasing. It is a must-see scenic spot for everyone who comes to Tangqi, and the photos taken here can be called ‘standard photos of Tangqi’. Delicacies of the ancient town: On Shuinan Street opposite the Guangji Bridge and in its surrounding blocks, there are many shops selling pastries and snacks. In addition to the original traditional pastries, there are also some cafes and Hangzhou-style restaurants. It’s great to eat and stroll around. The famous local pastry shops are Fagen Pastry Shop and Zhu Yitang’s mung bean cakes, Lixia cakes, etc. Until now, many old Hangzhou people still specially come to Tangqi to buy them. During the loquat season, at the bridge-side vegetable market and even everywhere on the roadside, one can see fruit farmers selling loquats. The expensive white-sand loquats are about 12 yuan per catty and are a good choice for giving to relatives and friends. In the historical block of the city river near Shuinan Street, San Tiao Ban Nong has some old houses and is also worth a visit. Transportation tips: Tangqi has very convenient transportation. Starting from Hangzhou, in addition to taking a bus, a more interesting way is to take a water bus tour. The whole journey takes about 7 hours. Consultation phone number: 0571-85190851. During the loquat festival, you can also pay attention to the free bus from Huanglong Tourist Distribution Area to Tangqi. Opening hours: Open all year round and all day. Must-see tips: For information on the Tangqi Loquat Festival, you can pay attention to the Tangqi Loquat official website.
