Qi Lou City refers to the continuous cluster of arcade buildings in the old town of Hedong, Wuzhou. Arcades are not rare in the south, but few can be called a ‘city’. The arcades in Wuzhou are not only well-preserved, but also rank among the top in terms of concentration and scale in China. From Dadong Road to Beihuan Road and Guilin Road, one can see not only South Sea-style and Baroque-style arcades but also numerous historical buildings and old residences. Of course, there are also many specialty shops and delicious snacks. At the height of commercial prosperity, there were more than 1500 shops of various sizes in Qi Lou City. Today, the former glory has faded away, and the small shops along the street are now operating their own businesses, turning into a lukewarm leisure area. There are many sculptures on the street that reflect the style of Wuzhou, showcasing the life scenes of the old Wuzhou citizens. Walking among the arcades, the huge statue of Longmu quietly overlooks the old city in the distance. Amidst the changes of prosperity, many historical relics are still preserved. The former site of Dadong Post Office on Dadong Road, from where a telegram was sent in 1884, is still preserved as a post office. Weixinli has many beautiful modern residences, with deep walls and exquisite carvings worth savoring. The Catholic Church, built in 1898, is also located here. Strolling through Qi Lou City, there are continuous specialty shops along the street, and Wuzhou’s specialty snacks are not to be missed, such as Bingquan Soy Milk and Gui Ling Gao, all of which are recommended to taste. Open all year round, open all day long.
