Tunxi Old Street

Location

downtown of Tunxi District, Huangshan, Anhui Province.

Reasons to visit

The best preserved ancient business street.

Our Ratings

Opening Hours

All day.

Tunxi Old Street, located at the center of Tunxi District of Huangshan City, has been the distribution center of south Anhui Province knowing for the production of green tea and ink. It is the witness of the flourish of Anhui merchant's for a period of time.

Tunxi Old Street is an ancient Western-European architect once visited the old street and said that he had found "The Eastern Ancient Rome." First built over 700 years ago, during the Song Dynasty (960-1279), the street is flanked by some buildings from this period. More noticeable are the buildings from the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368-1911), during which time the "Tunxi Old Street" became a distribution center for goods and materials to Huizhou.

Huizhou Style Buildings

Stretching for 1.5 kilometers in length and 7 meters in width, the street forms a harmonious corridor of history. The architecture is a quintessential example of the Huizhou style, characterized by a sublime blend of functionality and elegant aesthetics. The buildings are uniformly two or three stories high, creating a consistent and dignified skyline. They are constructed with locally sourced materials: stone bases that guard against damp, brick-laid walls, and elegantly sloping roofs covered in small, dark-green tiles. The most captivating features are the exquisite wooden carvings that adorn eaves, windows, and door frames. These intricate reliefs depict scenes from folklore, symbolic animals, and floral patterns, each carrying wishes for prosperity, longevity, and good fortune.

The shop fronts are works of art in themselves. They are flanked by wooden panels that are removed each morning to open the store to the world. Above, ancient shop signs, often lacquered in bold black or red and adorned with calligraphy by renowned masters, announce the business within. The combination of the stark white gable walls (horse-head walls), dark tiles, and warm wood creates a visual rhythm that is both simple and majestic, clean and profoundly elegant. The overall effect is so authentic and transportive that it is often described as the three-dimensional realization of the famed ancient painting, "Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival."

What to Buy Here

The true magic of Tunxi Old Street lies in its vibrant, ongoing commercial life. This is not a sterile museum but a thriving marketplace where ancient traditions are still practiced and sold.

Hui Ink and Shexian Ink Stones: As the historic center of the ink trade, the street is the best place in the world to purchase these essential tools of Chinese calligraphy. Artisans can be seen crafting and carving the fragrant, high-quality ink sticks, while shops display a stunning array of finely polished Shexian ink stones.
Tea (Qimen Hongcha & Huangshan Maofeng): Tea connoisseurs will be in heaven. Numerous tea shops offer the robust, orchid-scented Qimen Black Tea (Keemun) and the delicate, green Huangshan Maofeng. Shop owners are often happy to invite you for a tasting, turning a simple purchase into a cultural ceremony.
The Four Carvings of Anhui: The region is famous for its brick, stone, wood, and bamboo carvings. These are available in all forms, from small, affordable souvenirs to large, intricate pieces of art.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): Authentic TCM shops, filled with the earthy aroma of herbs and roots, line the street. Here, you can find everything from ginseng and goji berries to more complex prescriptions.

The Cinematic Canvas
The perfectly preserved ambiance of Tunxi Old Street has made it a favorite location for China's film and television industry. Its ability to convincingly portray towns from various dynasties has attracted over a hundred productions, earning it the nickname "The Native Place of Movies." It's not uncommon to visit and stumble upon a film crew, adding another layer of living history to the experience.

Comprehensive Travel Guide

【Chinese name】: 屯溪老街 (Túnxī Lǎojiē)

【Opening hours】: The street is open all day. Shops generally operate from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

【Recommended time to stay】: A minimum of 2-3 hours is recommended to fully appreciate the street. To experience it at its most atmospheric, consider an evening visit followed by a return trip the next morning.

【How to get there】:

From Huangshan North Railway Station: This is the most common access point for high-speed rail travelers. Take public bus No. 1 or a taxi for the 20-minute drive to the old street.
From Huangshan International Airport: The airport is very close to the city center. A taxi ride to the old street takes approximately 15 minutes.
By Foot: If you are staying in a downtown Tunxi hotel, the old street is almost certainly within easy walking distance.

Best Time to Visit:

Early Morning (8:00 - 10:00 a.m.): Experience the street as the shopkeepers open their wooden panels and sweep the flagstones, offering a quiet, more personal view.
Evening (7:00 - 10:00 p.m.): The street is magically illuminated by traditional red lanterns, creating a bustling, festive atmosphere. This is the best time for photography and feeling the vibrant energy.

Practical Tips:

Wear Comfortable Shoes: The main street is paved with smooth stone, but comfortable shoes are essential for exploring its entire length and the smaller alleys that branch off from it.
Bargain Politely: While prices in many shops are fixed, polite bargaining is acceptable and expected in smaller souvenir stalls.
Venture Off the Main Drag: Don't hesitate to explore the narrow side alleys (like Liyi Street). They are often less crowded and reveal quieter, more residential glimpses of life.
Savor the Local Food: Beyond shopping, the street is lined with food stalls and restaurants. Be sure to try local Huizhou delicacies such as stinky mandarin fish, Huangshan sesame cakes, and various savory pastries.