Old Street of Taizhou

　　The Old Street of Taizhou is a Ming and Qing dynasty alley paved with bluestone, winding through deep courtyard homes, where the sounds of pingtan storytelling fill the air, and the street is filled with the lingering aroma of snacks, together with the long, drawn-out calls of vendors. It’s just as Marco Polo described Taizhou 600 years ago: “Taizhou is not a big city, but it is full of the happiness of the mortal world…”

　　Outside the Taoyuan Scenic Area by Fengcheng River, there is an ancient architectural belt of blue bricks and black tiles, stretching 600 meters. This is

　　the “Old Street of Taizhou.”

　　The Old Street of Taizhou is a young old street. Developed by the Fengcheng River Management Committee, it became Taizhou’s most bustling commercial district in just two years, and also a hub for intangible cultural heritage, where secular culture and daily life are on full display. “Old trades” continue here, and “old crafts” are revived here.

　　Passing through the ancient memorial archway and entering the old bluestone alley, you’ll find traditional shops lining both sides of the street. Strings of large red lanterns hang across the covered corridors, while various shop signs, plaques, and banners create a delightful scene.

　　Here, you can taste fully hand-made “Cao Lu Baked Buns” and “Taizhou Dried Tofu Shreds,” enjoy authentic local delicacies such as “Jingjiang Soup Dumplings,” “Qinhu Eight Delicacies,” and “Red-Cream Hairy Crabs,” and easily purchase specialty foods and clothing from all over the country and various ethnic groups.

　　At the corner of the old street is a small central plaza. At its southern end stands an ancient theater building with upturned eaves and carved beams and painted rafters; to the west, a winding little stream flows past the edge of the plaza. In the stream stands a three-story-high waterwheel, and the rushing current strikes the scoops of the wheel, flinging water high into the air as the wheel turns—like a sudden downpour—creating a charming scene that showcases the charm of a water town.

　　To the east of the ancient theater building along the main street stands a screen-like high-rise building, topped with a large bronze relief sculpture depicting street scenes of old Taizhou. The imagery is lifelike and immersive, evoking childhood memories. In the corner, ancient stone mills and wooden cartwheels on display transport you back to ancient civilization, as if you’re witnessing the life of people from the past.

　　On the old street, the Big Furnace Baked Buns must be mentioned. The Dream Pool Essays recorded: “The furnace is eight feet tall, and the bakers get inside, attaching the dough to the walls. The flavor is rich and delicious, making it a fine delicacy of the human world.”

　　The furnace of the Big Furnace Baked Buns is built into the wall, nearly a person’s height tall. The spherical hollow interior of the furnace is very large, with straw at the bottom used as fuel—small bundles are added one by one. The bakers, no matter the season, must bare their upper bodies, wet their hands slightly, pick up the bun dough, shake it left and right in their hands to moisten the base, then stick it onto the inner walls of the furnace. They cover the left, right, and top surfaces with a series of rapid pats. When sticking them to the top of the furnace, the baker’s skill is most tested—they must tilt their head and body backward, reaching deep inside, even having their upper body go into the furnace—the Big Furnace Baked Bun is the essence of Taizhou snacks because it embodies the honest and hardworking spirit of the people of Taizhou.

　　Fish Soup Noodles can be considered another masterpiece. Making fish soup noodles involves first gutting and cleaning the fish, leaving no residual blood. The pot is heated with lard until it is 80% hot, then fish is added and fried until crispy, then scooped out without burning. The fried fish is combined with either eel bones or pork bones, and a thick broth is simmered using river water. Scallions and wine are used to remove the fishy smell, and the clear broth is filtered through a fine sieve, sometimes with a small amount of shrimp roe added, to make the noodle soup. The noodles are made from premium knife-cut flour. Fish soup noodles are delicious in color, aroma, and taste, highly nutritious, refreshing and tasty.

　　Boiled Shredded Tofu was known as “Nine-Shred Soup” during the Qianlong period, containing shredded ham, bamboo shoots, mushrooms, wood ear fungus, whitebait, seaweed, egg skin, chicken, and in higher-end versions, sea cucumber or bird’s nest. A bowl of hot tofu shreds, with yellow and white colors, leaves a lasting fragrance in your mouth after just one serving.

　　According to the Fengcheng River Management Committee, since its establishment, the old street has seen an average daily foot traffic of over ten thousand people, which can soar to over one hundred thousand during holidays and festivals. Recently, a traditional Taizhou snack competition has been lively taking place on the old street. Traditional snacks like mahua (fried dough twists), ma dou (spiced beans), stinky tofu, and jingangqi (a type of pastry) have awakened collective memories among locals. Visitors from Shanghai and Nanjing find themselves lingering and reluctant to leave.

　　“The old street is a young old street, providing the people of Taizhou with a platform to recall the past and savor happiness,” said Liu Ning, Deputy Secretary-General of the Taizhou Municipal Government and Director of the Fengcheng River Management Committee. The cultural, theatrical, and folk elements displayed on the Old Street of Taizhou subtly reflect the historical and cultural aspects of Taizhou, resonating with those who appreciate refined experiences. It is reported that in the near future, a Ming and Qing dynasty-style “Water Street” is being planned to the south of the old street. Once completed, the old street and water street will complement each other, showcasing the endless charm of Fengcheng River as a “Water Paradise · Night Tour City.”

　　Address: No. 22, Old Street, Fengcheng River Scenic Area, Chengzhong Subdistrict, Hailing District, Taizhou City

　　Type: Historic Featured District

　　Recommended Visit Duration: 1–2 hours

　　Phone: 0523-86999584

　　Opening Hours:

　　Open all day

　　Ticket Information:

　　No admission fee.