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.
The Cangqiao Straight Street is not worth visiting at night. The riverside is quite dark, and there are residential buildings nearby. The photos you take won’t turn out well, and the products being sold are pretty much the same. Unless it’s necessary, it’s better to avoid going at night. However, if you just want to stroll around the night market, that’s fine!
This morning I woke up early and wandered through the alleys of Cangqiao Straight Street . It felt like a completely different world compared to the evening. The ancient street in the morning shed its nighttime commercial atmosphere, leaving only tranquility. Sitting in a pavilion by the river, watching the rain, it felt like time stood still.
We arrived at around 9 AM, and there weren’t many people. The photo opportunities were great. However, many shops were not open yet. By the time we reached the end and were coming back, a few more shops gradually opened.
My first stop in Shaoxing was Cangqiao Straight Street. It must be incredibly beautiful in spring, but during winter, it feels somewhat desolate. However, the fewer crowds make it perfect for a leisurely stroll.
As I walked along, there were many vendors selling cured meats and yellow wine. If you’re not afraid of getting tipsy, you can taste from each shop until you find your favorite flavor.
In my memory, I rarely see such a few people on Wancangqiao Straight Street. It was also a nice nightlife experience.
Not bad at all. It’s not as lively as Shantang Street or as commercialized as Pingjiang Road. With the light drizzle, there is a hint of that misty Jiangnan charm.
I arrived at Cangqiao Straight Street around 7:30 PM, and to be honest, there isn’t much to explore. It’s just a narrow street lined with a few shops on either side.
The commercial atmosphere on Cangqiao Straight Street is not very strong. Most of the surroundings consist of residential homes, and many of the elderly neighbors are running small businesses right at their doorsteps.
After a rain shower, this weekend in Shaoxing has become cooler. As the night falls, the streets are still lively with tourists showing great enthusiasm, attracted by the handcrafted trinkets on the old streets.
At 10 o’clock in the evening, everything here is already closed and dark. Walking in, it feels no different from other tourist streets.