Dongguan Street Historical Block is located in the center of Yangzhou. Dongguan Street extends from the ancient canal in the east to Guoqing Road in the west. The Dongguan Ancient Ferry at its eastern end was a relatively prosperous wharf in Yangzhou during the Tang Dynasty. With the wharf, a densely commercial street, Dongguan Street, developed. Now Dongguan Street still maintains its appearance from the Ming and Qing Dynasties.
The main street is paved with stone slabs. Walking on the road, from time to time, you can see the large courtyards of salt merchants with black bricks and grey tiles.
The concentration of delicious food and local specialty trinkets adds to the pleasure of shopping for tourists. It is worthy of being ‘a representative historical old street in Yangzhou City’.
When you come to Dongguan Street, naturally, you should first taste the characteristic delicacies of Yangzhou. See which store on the street is popular and buy and eat there. The prices are basically fair. Lotus root starch dumplings, four happiness dumplings, dumpling noodles, Huangqiao sesame cakes, braised shredded dried tofu, lion’s head, etc. can all be eaten on Dongguan Street. Some restaurants are located in old houses. For example, Jiangnan Yipin Zhonghan Residence (No. 312, Dongguan Street) was originally the former residence of banker Hu Zhonghan. Now it mainly serves private dishes of salt merchants. However, it is just for the atmosphere of eating in an old house. When there are many tourists, the serving will be very slow.
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When you’re in the mood for shopping, it’s worth exploring the many small shops that line the streets. Among these, you’ll find numerous century-old establishments. One such example is Xie Fuchun, which was established in 1830 and is located at No. 243, Dongguan Street. Xie Fuchun’s duck egg powder is widely recognized as ‘a must-buy souvenir in Yangzhou’ by many guides and is particularly popular among women. It’s important to note that the version costing around a hundred yuan is intended for facial application, while the one priced at about twenty yuan serves as a solid perfume. Place it in your closet, and your clothes will take on a delightful fragrance.
Another notable historic store is Simei Sauce Garden, founded in 1817 at No. 138, Dongguan Street. Picking up some of their pickles to share with friends during meals can be an extremely enjoyable experience.
To the west of the archway marked with ‘Dongguan Ancient Ferry’ lies the Dongmen Ruins, also known as the Shuangwengcheng Ruins. The city gate you see today is a modern reconstruction. Ascending the city gate offers a panoramic view of Dongguan Street. Inside the city tower, which is set up as an exhibition hall, you can explore the cultural history of Yangzhou and Dongguan Street. Passing through the city gate’s opening, you can view the city wall ruins from the Tang and Song Dynasties through a glass floor. If you’re interested in visiting the scenic spots of Dongguan Street and understanding its rich history, starting your journey at the Dongmen Ruins is an excellent choice.
Among the residences of salt merchants on Dongguan Street, the Geyuan Garden is particularly worth a visit. Exploring the rockery in the garden is a fun activity, and taking a stroll through the bamboo forest of Geyuan is a very pleasant experience.
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If you’re looking to experience the authentic charm of old Yangzhou, a visit to Dongguan Street is a must. Here, you’ll find the Wudang Taoist Temple, a historical site dating back to the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The street is flanked by numerous narrow alleys, which are still home to many residents. These winding lanes are where the spirit of ancient Yangzhou truly resides. Engaging in conversation with the locals will reveal that generations of Yangzhou’s people have lived within these historic pathways.
Changle Inn, located on Dongguan Street, is another distinctive destination. It offers a taste of antiquity, functioning as both a hotel and a sightseeing spot. The inn encompasses several historical sites, including the Yipu of money broker Li Hesheng, the Huashi Garden of salt merchant Hua Youmei from the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China, and the General Mansion of the renowned Qing Dynasty general Li Changle. A careful exploration of these attractions could easily fill an afternoon or more.
In the evenings, Dongguan Street comes alive with lights, and the street remains bustling and vibrant until late into the night. Just 300 meters to the south lies the Dongquanmen Historic District, which runs parallel to Dongguan Street. Together, they are known as the “Double Dong Historic District” and can be visited as a single attraction. Both are open throughout the year and operate on a daily basis.
Visitors should be aware of the following preferential policies:
– Children under 1.4 meters (inclusive) enter for free.
– Elderly individuals aged 60 and above can enter for free with a senior citizen card or ID card.
– Disabled persons are admitted free of charge with their disability certificate, issued by the Central Disabled Persons’ Federation.
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This reformatted text should now be more pleasant to read and follow.Military personnel: Free with their own officer ID card (active duty) or soldier ID card (active duty).
Journalists: Free with their own press card (issued by the Central Press and Publication Administration).
Students: Full-time undergraduate and below students can enjoy preferential tickets with their own student ID cards.
Others: Retired cadres’ certificates issued by the State Council and the Central Military Commission; National medical staff and police officers can enter for free with their valid certificates.
Supplementary note: The above are the preferential policies for Wudang Palace, Zhang Yuliang Memorial Hall, Li Changle’s former residence, and Ruan Family Ancestral Hall in the scenic area. For reference only. The specific situation is subject to the actual disclosure of the scenic area.
Service facilities:
Parking lot: [Anjiaxiang Parking Lot]. Reference price: 4 yuan/hour.
WIFI: Account: yangzhou-free; Password: No password for WeChat login; Scope: The whole scenic area.
Mobile phone charging: The tourist center is equipped with charging power sockets.
Luggage storage:
Scenic area interpretation: The scenic area provides manual interpretation services. Cost: 50 yuan for less than 10 people, +5 yuan/person for more than 10 people.
Toilets: There are multiple toilets in the scenic area, and there are eye-catching signs.
