Saishang Old Street

塞上老街

A Ming-Qing-style commercial street in front of Da Zhao, lined with Mongolian crafts, historic shaomai restaurants, and dairy shops, a good place to get a feel for old Guihua city life.

Saishang Old Street lies in front of Da Zhao in Yuquan District and is part of the old commercial district of Guihua. After renovation, it became a pedestrian street in Ming-Qing style. Shops on both sides sell Mongolian knives, silverware, leather paintings, and horsehead fiddles, as well as local specialties such as milk skin, milk tofu, beef jerky, and toasted rice. There are also many antique and calligraphy shops. Hohhot locals have a saying that you should "eat shaomai in the morning and drink brick tea," and the area around the street is home to historic shaomai restaurants such as Deshunyuan. Shaomai here are sold by the liang, with eight to an order. The lamb and scallion filling in paper-thin wrappers is especially authentic when paired with a pot of brick tea. There is also a Chinese shaomai food street nearby. Admission is free. Consider combining the street with Da Zhao, Xilitu Zhao, and the Five Pagoda Temple for a half-day walking route, and compare prices when shopping.

Saishang Old Street

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