Sanjie Liangxiang Historic District
三街两巷
Nanning's last surviving Ming and Qing old-town district, made up of Xingning, Minsheng and Jiefang Roads plus Jinshi and Yinshi Lanes. Restored arcade buildings and old mansions now house pickle stalls, heritage shops and creative boutiques.
Three Streets and Two Lanes forms the core of Nanning's old town. It consists of three streets, Xingning Road, Minsheng Road and Jiefang Road, and two lanes, Jinshi (Golden Lion) Lane and Yinshi (Silver Lion) Lane. It is the largest and best-preserved surviving historic district in the city, spanning the Ming, Qing and Republican eras, and it reopened in 2018 after restoration. Three architectural styles can be seen here: the Qing-dynasty grey-brick mansions along Jinshi Lane, which are Nanning's oldest surviving residential compound and some of which have been converted into museums and creative spaces; the arcaded shopping streets of Xingning and Minsheng Roads, the busiest commercial centre of the Republican era, where heritage shops still trade; and newly built streets in a period style. Other sights include the City God Temple, the site where Su Jian, prefect of Yongzhou, died a martyr's death, the Nanning Administrative History Museum and Lijiang Academy. A suggested route: enter from the eastern end of Minsheng Road, visit the old houses and museum on Jinshi Lane first, walk along Xingning Road to see the arcades, and finish at the sour-snack stalls and sweet-soup shops on Jiefang Road. This takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. The lanterns are best photographed once they light up at night. The district and the museums are free to enter. Nearby, Zhongshan Road Food Street is about a 10-minute walk, so you can plan an evening stroll through Three Streets and Two Lanes followed by dinner on Zhongshan Road. Minsheng Square on the Yong River is also nearby. Getting there: Metro Line 1, Chaoyang Square Station or Xinmin Road Station, then about a 10-minute walk. Notes: some old houses are residences or shops, so do not enter without permission. Photograph the grey-brick lanes in the morning, when there are fewer people, as weekends are crowded. Snacks such as suanye and Laoyou noodles are mostly found around Jiefang Road. Bicycles and e-bikes are not allowed in the district.
Opening hours
All day (shops about 10:00–22:00)
Nearby sights
- Zhongshan Road Food Street
- Yong River Night Cruise
- Guangxi Museum
- Nanning People's Park & Zhenning Fort
- Jianzheng Road Night Market
- Baiyi Shanghe Creative Park
- Golden Camellia Park
- Nanhu Park