Travel through time in Huangshan – Take a slow stroll down Tunxi Old Street in Anhui and try a bite of "hairy tofu"

▲ Anhui’s most famous Tunxi Old Street.

Reporter Yu Jiayun / Reported and photographed in Anhui

Located in Huangshan City, Anhui Province, Tunxi Old Street features rows of Huizhou-style architecture that seem to recreate the early Song Dynasty streetscape. The red lanterns hanging from the eaves, carved wooden windows, and wooden archways exude a strong retro atmosphere, as if transporting you back in time to the Song Dynasty. At Tunxi Old Street, you can find local specialties and produce such as crab shell yellow cakes, hairy tofu, and Qimen black tea, as well as hundreds of styles of the Four Treasures of the Study. If you want to experience authentic Anhui culture, a visit to Tunxi Old Street is a must!

▲ Anhui ink is very famous in China.

▲ The antique architecture makes the whole street feel like another era.

Some describe Tunxi as “half old street, half water,” with the old street referring to Tunxi Old Street and the water being the Xin’an River, the mother river of Anhui. In the past, many merchants sold fabrics, tea, and other goods here, making it one of the busiest places in Anhui. Originally, the area was mostly residential housing, but later, in an effort by the government to turn the old street into a tourist attraction, the original residents gradually moved out, and the buildings were sold for commercial use. This one-kilometer-long old street is now packed with shops selling all kinds of goods—food, daily necessities, clothing, and more—and becomes especially lively after dusk.

▲ Snacks sold along the street.

▲ Tunxi Old Street takes on a unique charm at night.

The architecture of Tunxi Old Street is built in the style of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Although everything has been rebuilt later, the exteriors maintain the look of earlier times and preserve the characteristics of Huizhou-style design. Elements such as the fire walls on both sides of the rooftops, gate towers, and carvings all contain “antique” details. These buildings have been transformed not only into shops but also into unique homestays and bars, offering the experience of “being in the modern world while feeling the ancient atmosphere.”

▲ Huizhou Ink Cake, unique to Anhui.

▲ Qimen black tea is one of the four famous teas of Huangshan.

▲ Hairy tofu, which tastes similar to stinky tofu.

If you’re looking to buy some souvenirs at Tunxi Old Street, local guides first recommend the “Huizhou Ink Cake,” unique to Huangshan. This cake, shaped like an ink stick, melts in your mouth and pairs perfectly with Qimen black tea, another local specialty. The mellow aroma of the tea complements the sweet taste of the ink cake, making it an ideal afternoon treat. For something more unique, be sure to try the Huizhou specialty “hairy tofu”! The fermented, furry tofu is pan-fried and has a flavor somewhat similar to Taiwan’s stinky tofu, but with an incredibly soft texture that’s both lovable and intimidating.

▲ Tofu deliberately left to ferment and grow fur.

▲ Come to Anhui to experience Huizhou culture at Tunxi Old Street.