Taiping Old Street

太平街

The best-preserved old street in Changsha, with the Former Residence of Jia Yi, flagstone lanes, stinky tofu and sugar-oil rice cakes, and everything from an ancient well to viral snacks.

Taiping Street lies west of Wuyi Square in Tianxin District, running from Jiefang West Road in the south to Wuyi Avenue in the north. It is about 400 m long and preserves the most intact street layout of Changsha's ancient city. Flagstone paving, brick houses, arcades, and long-established shops all sit together. After renovation in the 2000s, it became Changsha's most popular old street and snack street. Highlights include:

The Former Residence of Jia Yi: home of the Western Han scholar Jia Yi during his exile in Changsha. It is the oldest celebrity residence in Hunan and contains the “Changhuai Well.” Admission is free.

Qing dynasty shop sites such as the Qianyi Shengliang Grain Depot and the Lisheng Salt Shop.

Changsha snacks lining both sides of the street: stinky tofu (the classic black version and Wenji), sugar-oil rice cakes, Kouwei shrimp, giant sausages, and Chayan Yuese tea. Queues often form at the street corners.

Du Fu River Pavilion at the far end, leading to the Xiang River. Du Fu spent his final years in Changsha, and the pavilion is a great place to watch the Orange Isle fireworks. Climbing it costs about 20 yuan.

Lanterns and neon signs at night make this a popular spot for night photography. The street is free to enter, and most shops stay open until late.

Getting there: Metro Lines 1 and 2, Wuyi Square Station, about a 5-minute walk. Metro Line 2, Xiangjiang Middle Road Station, about an 8-minute walk.

Tip: Arrive in the early evening, enter from the north gate, and eat your way south. Then walk to the Xiang River for sunset, or visit Pozi Street and Jiefang West Road. Allow about 1.5 hours.

Note: Weekends and holidays are very crowded, so keep an eye on your belongings. Snacks are a little pricier than at neighbourhood shops. Locals prefer the old shops in the side lanes.

Taiping Old Street

Opening hours

Nearby sights

Places to eat nearby