Cangqiao Straight Street (仓桥直街, Cangqiao Zhijie) is situated within the historical district of Yuewang City, on the eastern side of Fushan Hill. It embodies the characteristic ancient city style, with traditional residences as its main feature, serving as a blend of living, commercial, and tourist elements within a historical and cultural street. Recognized with the “UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Conservation Award,” this old street is hailed as a “vivid showcase of Chinese heritage.”
The street mainly consists of three parts: waterways, residences, and cobblestone roads. The central axis of the old street is marked by the winding river, an important historical relic of Yuewang City. Stretching from Victory West Road in the north to Luxun West Road in the south, it spans a total length of 2.2 kilometers. From north to south, traditional ancient stone bridges such as Cangqiao Bridge, Longmen Bridge, Baozhu Bridge, Fu Bridge, Shimen Bridge, Jiuwu Bridge, Xiguan Bridge, and Huangyi Bridge are situated along the river, enhancing the atmosphere of the water city.
Flanking the waterways are predominantly water-town style residences, mostly built in the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China period. Among them, there are 43 different styles of gatehouses, each with a small riverside platform in the backyard, reflecting the traditional architectural features and customs of Shaoxing. There isn’t much commercial atmosphere here; instead, you’ll encounter elderly locals who have lived here for generations, exuding a genuine sense of life. Especially in the evening, you can truly feel the leisurely pace of life on the old street, capturing photos that are full of charm.
In terms of dining, there’s no shortage of options. Along Cangqiao Straight Street, there are traditional small shops selling Shaoxing rice wine, fennel beans, and other local delicacies. There are also renowned restaurants like Zhaoyuanlou (状元楼), which are particularly bustling during peak dining times on holidays and weekends.
Basic Informatin
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 hour |
| Ticket Price | Free |
| Opening Hours | 24 hours a day throughout the year |
Location and Transportation
Cangqiao Straight Street is located at the southeastern foot of Wolong Mountain in Yuecheng District, Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province. To get there, you can choose one of the following ways:
Bus: Take bus 3A, 3B, 3, 11, 19, 22A, 22, 24A, 24, 37, 51, 52, or 166, get off at Shaoxing Grand Theater Stop (绍兴大剧院站), and you will be standing at the north end of the street.
Metro: The cloest metro station to Cangqiao Straight Street is City Square (城市广场) on Line 1. After getting out of the station from Exit B, walk about 300 meters to reach the north end of the street.
