Anqing, a city that was one of the first in China to embrace modern civilization, is the birthplace of modern military industry, the cradle of the Hui Opera, the ancestor of Peking Opera, and the hometown of famous figures like Chen Duxiu, Deng Jiaxian, and Zhang Henshui… As time passes, many old things have been lost to the past, but fortunately, the old streets still silently preserve the city’s memories.
The oldest street in Anqing is undoubtedly Daopaishi Street. Located in Yingjiang District, the old street is composed of Sipailou, Guohuo Street, and Daopaishi Street. It was the commercial center of Anqing in modern times, and more precisely, not only in modern times, even today, it is always bustling with people and shops are full of customers.
It is said that Daopaishi Street was first built in the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty. Because of its proximity to the Yangtze River, Anqing naturally became a hub for the distribution and collection of goods from thousands of miles away. The popularity brought business opportunities, and Daopaishi Street, along the river, became bustling, with goods being stored, processed, and sold here. In a street of less than 500 meters, there were more than 200 shops, and the title of “the first street in Anhui Province” was not a false claim.
The stone archway is old and weathered, clearly a “person with a story.” The archway was also built in the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, and because there were two carved long-haired, round-eyed upside-down lions on each side of the stone pillars, it became the source of the street’s name.
As the sun begins to set, the shops on the street light up their lanterns, the bright lanterns reflecting off the white walls, dark tiles, and elegant blue bricks, creating a scene of beauty.
The Daqing Post Office on the old street was built in the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty, and its appearance has a slightly modern look, revealing a blend of Chinese and Western architectural styles. In the past, it was where people sent letters and goods, but today, it is a popular place for people to check in, get stamps, and visit.
Another building of the Daqing Post Office has been transformed into a “Postal History Museum”, which exhibits various old objects related to postal services. From the slow travel of ancient times to the fast trains and airplanes of modern times, the history of Chinese postal services is also full of interest.
On the white wall, there is a poem written by Hai Zi for Anqing, “To Anqing.” Hai Zi was born in Huaining County, Anhui. Historically, Huaining was once part of Anqing City. In his younger years, he entered Peking University’s Law School as the top scorer in the Anqing Literary Examination. Anqing holds a unique place in the life of this modern poet.
Most of the shops in Guohuo Street, with its ancient charm, are authentic old brands. The shops are all connected, the horsehead walls are high and low, the signs light up, and suddenly there is a sense of time and space crossing, as if you are seeing the old prosperity.
In this thousand-year-old city, there have been eight hundred years of war and five hundred years of commercial prosperity. Check in to Daopaishi Pedestrian Street and see the historical vicissitudes and legendary history of Anqing City.
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