Lanxi Old Street

　　   Lanxi Old Street is situated at the confluence of the Qiao River (a branch of the Yangtze River) and the Qingtong River outlet. There are very few historical records about Lanxi Street, and most are mentioned in connection with Heyue Old Street. Currently, there remains a street section over 500 meters long and 7 meters wide, paved with square stones. The storefronts along the street mostly feature small tiled roofs and horse-head walls, giving them a distinctly Huizhou architectural style. The ancient name of Datong was Lanxi. During the Tang Dynasty, the town was located at the site of today’s Guangrong Village Old Town, and later gradually moved to its current location. In the eighth year of the Yuanfeng era of the Song Dynasty (1085 AD), Datong was officially established as a town. In the 1930s, the town had a population of nearly 100,000, and was known as one of the “Four Major Commercial Ports of Anhui,” along with Anqing, Wuhu, and Bengbu. Datong boasts numerous cultural and historical landmarks. Historical sites include the Dasheng Pavilion (the first heavenly gate of Jiuhua Mountain), the Five-Li Pavilion, ancient wells from the Ming and Qing dynasties, a Catholic church, and a bell tower. According to historical records, figures such as Zhu Yuanzhang, Hong Xiuquan, Sun Yat-sen, and many scholars and poets once visited Datong. Local specialties such as Datong tea tofu, ginger, and sesame oil have also been well-known for a long time.