Guyi Street

　　Guyi Street is situated between the bustling Northeast Corner and Beida Gate, running parallel to North Road, with a total length of 800 meters. It is an old commercial street in Tianjin with a history of over 600 years, once considered the cradle of commerce in the city.

　　Originally, Guyi Street only had clothing shops for second-hand or sample garments, which is how it got its name. During the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty, in addition to these shops, businesses dealing in silk, cotton cloth, furs, and porcelain also developed. Especially in the early 1930s, the area flourished as the distribution hub for silk, cloth, furs, clothing, stationery, traditional Chinese medicine, and daily small commodities in North China. Many time-honored brands such as Qianxiangyi, Ruifuxiang, Ruishengxiang, Yuanlong, Lao Hu Kaiwen, and Lao Maosheng were concentrated on this street. The area was bustling with countless stalls, exceptionally lively.

　　At that time, Guyi Street was also a center for folk activities. During the Lantern Festival, the street hosted three days of illuminated festivities, which a poet once described: “Dragon and fish dances on Guyi Street… Spring lanterns rekindle youthful hearts.” In 1986, after restoration by the municipal government, Guyi Street regained its historic charm. Over 130 open-front shops, both large and small, were adorned with palace lanterns, gilded plaques, couplets, signs, and decorative ornaments. Iconic old brands such as Rui Fuxiang Hongji, Qingji, and Qianxiangyi Baoji had their distinctive iron flower canopies refurbished. The pharmacy Daren Hall showcased vermilion-painted pillars, lattice windows, and a bronze plaque inscribed “Kyoto Daren Hall,” restoring the grandeur of the old shops. The architecture along Guyi Street features gray bricks and tiles, with simple yet tasteful designs — though decorated, the embellishments remain appropriately restrained. At the western entrance of the street stands a replica antique archway, while at the eastern entrance a newly crafted 50-meter-long “Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl” sculpture harmonizes seamlessly with the street’s historic buildings.

　　Address: No. 138, North Road, Hongqiao District

　　Tel: 87731919

Guyi Street is aAAA-rated attraction