Overview
Dongguan Street is Yangzhou's most famous and representative historic street, stretching 1122 meters from the ancient Grand Canal in the east to Guoqing Road in the west. Since the Tang and Song dynasties, this street has been a vital transportation hub for both land and water transport in Yangzhou. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, it became a center of commerce, handicrafts, and religious culture, and still retains its traditional Ming and Qing dynasty features, with its bluestone pavement. The street is home to numerous century-old shops, such as Simei Sauce Shop (established in 1817) and Xie Fuchun Perfume Shop (established in 1830), as well as shops selling traditional Yangzhou handicrafts such as lacquerware, jade, and paper-cutting.
The street is open 24 hours a day and admission is free. A visit of 2 to 5 hours is recommended. The best time to visit is from March to May and from September to November, when the weather is pleasant and the scenery is at its most beautiful.
How to Get There
How to get there:
High-speed rail/Train: After arriving at Yangzhou East Station by high-speed rail, you can take Tourist Bus Route 1 directly to Dongguan Street; or take a taxi to the Dongmen Ruins, which takes about 20 minutes.
Bus: Several bus routes reach Dongguan Street—take routes 25, 45, 52, 58, 210, tourist buses, or tourist special lines and get off at the "Dongguan Ancient Ferry" stop, which is right at the entrance to Dongguan Street; take route 8 and get off at the "Maternal and Child Health Hospital" stop, which is right at the entrance to Xijie Street; take routes 12, 26, 32, or 33 and get off at the "Qionghua Temple" stop, which is also within walking distance.
Getting around the city: The attractions are relatively close together; walking or riding a shared electric bicycle (about 20 yuan/day) is the most convenient.
In terms of how to enjoy the trip, you can enter from the East Gate Ruins, stroll westward along the main street, browse time-honored shops, taste local delicacies (such as lotus root starch dumplings and Huangqiao sesame cakes), and visit the mansions of salt merchants and historical sites along the way; the night view is especially enchanting when the lanterns are lit in the evening.
What to Expect
The main street of Dongguan Street is paved with bluestone slabs, which are relatively smooth, although some areas may be slightly uneven. The street is primarily pedestrianized; vehicles cannot enter. Shops line both sides of the street, offering gift shops, specialty stores, and snack stalls where you can buy Yangzhou specialties such as lacquerware, jade, and Xie Fuchun face powder. There are also supporting facilities such as teahouses, cafes, convenience stores, and a visitor center. Some established shops and attractions may have steps or thresholds, which wheelchair users should be aware of. Overall, Dongguan Street has relatively complete commercial and service facilities, capable of meeting the basic needs of tourists.
Practical Tips
- It is recommended to visit on weekday mornings to avoid peak hours on weekends and holidays.
- Dongguan Street is an open-air area without unified public Wi-Fi. It is recommended to purchase a local Chinese SIM card or activate an international roaming data plan in advance.
- Some long-established store employees may only speak Chinese, so it's recommended to download a translation app beforehand.
