Shankou Old Street

Shankou Old Street

Shankou Town is located in the southwestern part of Xiushui County, where the Wuxiang River, a major tributary of the Xiushui River, flows through. The area boasts vast fertile fields and rolling green mountains. With a long-standing history and culture, well-preserved ancient architectural villages, time-honored local customs, and a beautiful natural environment, Shankou Town is a gem of cultural heritage.

To the southwest of the Shankou town center lies a large cluster of old houses — that’s Shankou Old Street. It is the largest and best-preserved old street within Xiushui County. As early as the first year of the Republic of China (1912), it was called Wude Town, and was renamed Shankou Town in 1927. It is situated in the Wuxiang area, one of the eight townships of Xiushui. The old street runs from north to south, stretching nearly three Chinese miles (approximately 1.5 kilometers) in length. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the street was divided into eight sections, known from north to south as the Eight Bases (八甲). Even today, local residents still use these historic names. The street is lined with shops built from brick and wood, with wooden plank doors facing the street. The Chinese fir planks have gradually darkened with age, but the signs of long-established businesses such as Xiechang Grocery, XXxiang General Store, and Haogu Studio can still be clearly seen. Elderly locals can even recall the names of some of the old shops. All of this seems to echo the street’s former glory.

According to the newly revised “Overall Planning for Shankou Town, Xiushui County,” over the next five years, Shankou Town plans to invest 10 million yuan to protect and plan the old street, optimize its environment, renovate the town area, and develop red tourism, leisure, and historical attractions. These efforts aim to showcase Shankou’s historical culture and ecological environment.

Shankou Town: Located in the southeastern part of Xiushui County, at the border between Xiushui and Tonggu counties, Shankou has historically been a strategic military location. During the revolutionary period, the First Regiment of the First Army of the Workers’ and Peasants’ Revolutionary Army was once stationed and reorganized here. The town covers an area of 173.8 square kilometers, with a population of 20,016, and governs 12 administrative villages. It has a subtropical humid monsoon climate, featuring distinct seasons, mild temperatures, and abundant rainfall — making it particularly suitable for eco-agricultural development.

The people of Shankou have long been known for their simple, hospitable, and polite nature, as well as their diligence, frugality, and pioneering spirit. Locals enjoy tea and customarily serve a bowl of tea to guests, especially teas from the Hakka tea tradition. More detailed information about Shankou Town++