Shenyang Manchu Street

Shenyang Manchu Street

Stretching 1,300 meters from the magnificent Fujin Gate in the east to the grand Huaiyuan Gate in the west, Shenyang Manchu Street is lined with archaized buildings adorned with carved beams and painted rafters, blue walls, and upturned eaves—embodiments of traditional Chinese architectural style that create a unique cultural landscape blending Manchu and Han characteristics. Since August 1998, an annual grand royal ceremony performance has been held on this street.

The Qing-era Street stretches from Fujin Gate in the east to Huaiyuan Gate in the west. As dusk falls, when you step into the ancient lane from the towering, majestic, and splendid Fujin Gate, the first thing that catches your eye are the tall buildings lining the wide, flat road. Each building features multiple tiers of upturned eaves, with every layer decorated with painted beams and colored patterns, their intricate designs vibrant and colorful. The black plaques with golden characters above the doors exude an antique charm, while the colorful lights on the rooftops and eaves enhance the grandeur of each structure. The historic Imperial Palace is located right on Qing-era Street.

When you exit the “Wugong Archway,” you’ll be drawn to a tall, imposing statue not far from the dismounting stone—a general clad in armor, a sword at his waist, riding a warhorse. He gazes into the distance, his right hand gripping a battle saber tightly, his left hand reining in the horse. The steed lifts its front hooves, roaring as if charging into battle or triumphantly returning from victory. The over two-meter-high statue base, built from shale, bears three golden characters “Huang Taiji” on the front and a biography of him on the back. It turns out that more than 300 years ago, Nurhaci established his capital here, and after his death, his eighth son, Huang Taiji, succeeded him. This is likely the meaning behind the saying “birthplace of a dynasty, capital of two emperors”! If you happen to catch a royal ceremony performance, the scene is both spectacular and lively—the costumes, props, and makeup are all authentically Qing-style, bringing vivid imperial nobility right before your eyes for a truly impressive experience. As for the various shops along the street, their displays are quaint and richly redolent of the Qing Dynasty.

The Qing-era Street boasts a long history. Shenyang Manchu Street attracts numerous domestic and international tourists with its profound historical culture and distinctive style. It is the pride of Shenyang. Its past is elegant and classic, and its future will be even more prosperous. In the central-western part of Zizhong County lies a major north-south street, 5.1 meters wide and 120 meters long. All the buildings along the street feature uniform overhanging-beam structures, matching heights and styles, and consistent storefront sizes. Three-story wooden buildings, small courtyards, and wooden doors with carvings of civil and military door gods, along with uniform lattice windows and dripping eaves tiles along the street—this is the famous Qing-era Street. It captivates many visitors with its simple yet rich Qing-style ambiance.

Originally named Xinzhen Street, Shenyang Manchu Street was built in the 31st year of the Guangxu reign during the Qing Dynasty. Located near the prefectural yamen, it primarily served as a resting place for those involved in lawsuits or reporting matters, and thus, was filled with inns, restaurants, teahouses, and taverns. To this day, Shenyang Manchu Street remains dominated by the food and beverage industry, with over 40 shops offering famous local snacks, teahouses, and restaurants. At the northern exit of the street, the wooden pillars on both sides still display a couplet written by Bao Rukai, a former educational officer of Zizhong and a renowned calligrapher from Sichuan, reflecting the street’s former prosperity.