Yangzhou Dongguan Street

Yangzhou Dongguan Street is a lively pedestrian thoroughfare that captures the essence of old Yangzhou. Stretching roughly a kilometer, the street is paved with stone slabs and flanked by well-preserved Ming and Qing dynasty architecture. Visitors can explore a variety of shops selling local crafts, calligraphy, and souvenirs, while the aroma of street food, from steamed buns to candied hawthorns, fills the air. The street also houses several historic sites, including the Ge Garden, a classical Chinese garden known for its bamboo groves and rockeries. Dongguan Street is not just a shopping destination; it's a living museum where the city's rich cultural heritage is on full display. Walking through its bustling lanes, you'll encounter traditional tea houses, silk stores, and even a small museum dedicated to the area's history. The atmosphere is especially vibrant in the evenings when lanterns illuminate the facades, creating a warm, nostalgic glow. What makes Dongguan Street distinctive is its authentic blend of commerce and culture, it remains a working market for locals, not just a tourist trap. You'll see residents buying daily groceries alongside visitors snapping photos of ancient archways. The street is also a gateway to Yangzhou's famous culinary scene, with numerous restaurants serving Huaiyang cuisine, one of China's four great culinary traditions.

Don't miss

• Explore the Ge Garden, a classic Chinese garden with four seasons of bamboo and rock scenery.
• Sample local snacks like Yangzhou fried rice, steamed crab meat dumplings, and osmanthus cake.
• Visit the Dongguan Street History Museum to learn about the area's role in the salt trade.
• Shop for traditional crafts such as Yangzhou lacquerware, paper-cutting, and velvet flowers.
• Stroll the street at dusk when red lanterns light up the ancient architecture.

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit Yangzhou Dongguan Street

Cheapest way inYangon Evening Street Food and Market Walking Tour4.9★ · 110 travelers~3 hoursFree cancellationFrom$61 per personSee dates →Most bookedGuangzhou Walking Tour To Explore The Old Xiguan Area4.9★ · 23 travelers~4 hoursFree cancellationFrom$89 per personSee dates →Private & flexibleOld Guangzhou Backstreet Alley Local Market Walking Private Tour5★ · 20 travelers3–10 hoursFrom$180 per personSee dates →

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Know before you go

• Allow at least half a day if you plan to visit Ge Garden and other side attractions.
• Bring cash as some small vendors may not accept cards or mobile payments.
• Come hungry, the street is famous for its food stalls and restaurants serving Huaiyang cuisine.
• Early morning is best for photography with fewer crowds and soft light.

A bit of history

Dongguan Street dates back over 1,200 years to the Tang Dynasty, when Yangzhou was a major commercial hub along the Grand Canal. It flourished during the Ming and Qing periods as a center for salt trade and handicrafts. Many of the existing buildings are from the Qing Dynasty.