Take a trip back in time on Zhouqiao Old Street
Print Edition
Zhouqiao Old Street in downtown Jiading features numerous old houses in the style of the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties. It is a good place for visitors to explore Jiading’s culture and history.
The street is on the bank of the Lianqi River. The buildings are in jiangnan (region south of the Yangtze River) style, typical garden architecture with engraved eaves, piled tiles, wood doors, copper locks and red lanterns at each gate.
All the buildings have been restored to their original appearance. Ancient-style plaques are used as store signs and small gardens inside add beauty to the buildings.
The first house is where you can try Nanxiang xiaolongbao, steamed juicy meat buns.
There is a tea restaurant ahead. Visitors can sit beside the window, chatting while having tea under the lanterns with the Chinese character of ²è (cha), or tea. If more customers come, the restaurant will set up tables in the outdoor yard.
Go through a small lane in Zhouqiao Old Street, walk over a stone bridge and turn left. The former residence of Qian Daxin, a scholar in the Qing Dynasty is located, which is called “Qianyan Hall.”
Opposite to the gate is the sitting room and on both sides of the courtyard are rooms where Qian’s books and documents are displayed.
Looking back to the gate inside the courtyard, you will find delicate and complex decoration on the arch, which is totally different from the simple style of the gate outside.
Go further along the old street you will see Anhui-style high walls and stone arch bridges. You may also meet the stylish women going across the bridges as if they’ve traveled from the ancient times.
Having crossed the Zhouqiao Bridge, you will arrive at the central commercial area.
At the bridgehead there stands an antique shop, where ceramics, pottery, ornaments and jade wares attract a lot of customers.
Around the antique shop there are some bamboo carving shops. Bamboo plaques carved with poems and paintings are quite popular for local people to decorate their rooms. If you have special requirement, the shop owners will be delighted to help.
There is also a flower and bird market in the old street. Gardening tools, ceramic vases, artificial plants, fishing gear and bonsai are all available.
If you want to stay overnight in the street, there is a small inn on the corner. The first floor is used as store and guestrooms are on the second floor. Opening the wood window and looking out from the second floor, you can see the whole street. It’s a great feeling to listen to the hawkers selling their goods and sniff the strong-smelling preserved bean curd.
You can find varieties of traditional snacks on the street. The noodle restaurant in the center of the ancient street is crowded despite its limited menu.
Zhouqiao Tangyuan, a long-established restaurant selling tangyuan, or glutinous rice dumplings, still serves the customers on its old rosewood tables. The dumplings, with fillings of pork, jujube paste, sweet bean paste and black sesame, are floating in boiling water and can be served to diners immediately after they make an order.
Other popular snacks include sesame cake, preserved bean curd and duck soup.
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