Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street: Guangzhou’s Historic Shopping & Food Street

Shangxiajiu pedestrian street is located in Guangzhou Liwan District. It’s one of Guangzhou’s famous shopping streets, but more than that, it offers a blend of Lingnan architectural culture, Western customs and food culture, Lingnan food culture and Lingnan folk customs. The area attracts locals and tourists alike with daily traffic numbers sometimes exceeding 600,000 people per day. The main section of the pedestrian street runs from the intersection at Zhuji Road through to the intersection of Yangxiang Road.

 Walking on the pulse of Xiguan

As the tides of the Pearl River recede the dust of time, a bustling commercial street slowly unfolds in the old city of Liwan—this is Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street. It is not only Guangzhou’s first commercial pedestrian street, but also a living history book. Here, the carved window frames of Lingnan architecture intertwine with the light and shadow of neon signs, and the aroma of century-old brands collide with the music of trendy shops. Walking along it, you will experience the most authentic symphony of Xiguan’s everyday life.

Deciphering the Streetscape – One Road, Two Legends

Geographical Context

Composed of Shangjiu Road, Xiajiu Road, and Dishipu Road, it stretches approximately 1200 meters, resembling a commercial backbone running through the heart of Xiguan.

Historical Divides

Shangjiu Road: Once a “silk and brocade district,” a gathering place for wealthy merchants.

Xiajiu Road: A century-old “shoe industry hub,” where the spirit of craftsmanship is passed down.

Tenth Street: The “Taste Center” of Traditional Cuisine, the Cantonese Dining Hall.

Architectural Gem

The Lingnan Arcade Buildings are the Soul of This Place. Stretching for kilometers, these arcade corridors are not only practical designs providing shade and shelter from the rain, but their rooftop gables and exterior wall reliefs (such as Manchurian windows and brick carvings) are also a history of open-air architectural art.

The traditional Xiguan housing construction includes Xiguan big house, arcade, bamboo house and so on. The pedestrian arcade of the pedestrian street was built in the Qing Dynasty, and is built in both southern European architectural style and the northern Chinese Manchu style. They are constructed in a way that reflects the cultural architectural aspects and are also suitable for the hot weather and conditions of the south.

In-Depth Exploration of Themed Streets

North Section (Shangjiu Road): Touching the Origins of Guangzhou’s Commerce

Signature Highlights

• Cultural Landmark “Yong’an Hall” (now the Provincial Stomatological Hospital): Witnessing the Commercial Glory of the Republic of China Era.
• Cluster of Time-Honoured Brands: Huangshanghuang Preserved Meat, Guangzhou Restaurant (Main Store). Not only for the food, but the architecture itself is worth admiring.
• Traditional Wedding Supplies Street: A fascinating window into the traditional Cantonese “Three Letters and Six Rites” culture.

Middle Section (Xiajiu Road to Dishipu): A Culinary Journey Through Lingnan

Must-Eat List (by Style):

• “One Pot, Two Dishes” Style: Enjoy morning tea at Tao Tao Ju (1880) and Lian Xiang Lou (1889), experiencing the lingering charm of “Xiguan ladies and Dongshan gentlemen.”
• Snack King Style: Double-skin milk pudding from Nanxin Milk Dessert Expert, shrimp wonton noodles from Baohua Noodle Shop, Chen Tianji’s traditional crispy fish skin (verify authenticity), and coconut ice cream from Shunji Ice Room.
• Classic Souvenirs Style: Sausage from Huang Shang Huang, and chicken biscuits from Qu Xiang Bing Jia.

Foodies Tip: Follow the “small portions, frequent meals” principle and share with companions to fully savour the best of what’s on offer.

South Section (Extended from Wenchang South Road): Echoes of Local Life and Trends

Observe the fusion of local life and commercial changes.

Highlights: Venture into the surrounding inner streets like Wenchang Road and Changshou Road to find affordable clothing and daily necessities shops, hear the authentic Cantonese haggling, and experience the genuine atmosphere of old Guangzhou life.

Unmissable Immersive Experiences

• Arcade Building Photography: The best time to shoot is on a sunny afternoon when the sunlight casts long, thin shadows on the arcade pillars. Use a wide-angle lens to capture the depth of the corridors.
• Attend a Cantonese Opera Performance: In Guangzhou Cultural Park next to the pedestrian street, there are often performances by amateur Cantonese opera troupes (mostly free), allowing you to experience the charm of a century-old art form.
• Explore the “Xiguan Mansions”: From the main street, branch off onto Wenchang North Road or Yaohua Street to encounter traditional Xiguan mansions with their blue brick walls, low-hanging doors, and quiet stories of past grandeur.
• Nighttime Lantern Viewing: As night falls, the lanterns under the arcades light up along with the neon lights, transforming the pedestrian street from its daytime hustle and bustle into a retro-chic scene with a unique charm.

Itinerary Planning Like a Local

Best Time to Visit

Season: Autumn to Spring, with pleasant weather.

Time of Day: Morning (after 10 AM) – Experience the morning tea culture and relatively quiet street scenes; Evening to night – Experience the bustling crowds and dazzling night view.

Avoid: Afternoon on holidays – peak crowds significantly reduce the experience.

Recommended Route

Classic Panoramic Half-Day Tour: Exit from Changshou Road Metro Station → Head north from Shangjiu Road → Enjoy the arcades and visit time-honored shops along the way → Indulge in delicious food on Dishipu Road → Arrive at Hualin Temple (the origin of Chinese Zen Buddhism) or Liwan Lake Park (experience the Xiguan charm of “a stream of green water and red lychees on both banks”).

A Day Trip to Deepen Cultural Exploration: Morning stroll along Shangxiajiu Main Street → Lunch at a time-honored restaurant → Afternoon visit to the Liwan Museum or Cantonese Opera Art Museum → Evening dinner at Panxi Restaurant overlooking the lake.

Important Tips

• Prices: Prices at time-honored restaurants are clearly marked. Please bring cash and small change for food stalls. Negotiate prices for non-branded goods.
• Avoid Scams: Be cautious of overly enthusiastic “specialty sales” and mobile vendors. For high-priced items such as medicinal herbs and jade, choose reputable stores.
• Clothing: Comfortable shoes are recommended, as you will be walking a lot.

Surrounding Areas – The Cultural Puzzle of Xiguan

Shangxiajiu is the key to unlocking Xiguan; don’t stop here.

North (10-minute walk): Chen Clan Academy (Guangdong Folk Arts Museum), admire the exquisite decorative art of this “crown ancestral hall of Yue.”

West (15-minute walk): Yongqingfang, a model of old city micro-renovation, find Bruce Lee’s ancestral home and Zhongshuge Bookstore in the arcade streets and alleys, and experience the creative fusion of old and new cultures.

South: Shamian Island, a former concession, where European-style architecture and towering ancient banyan trees create a completely different colonial historical landscape.

How to get there

The nearest metro stations are Changshou Road Station (Exit A, near Shangxiajiu Road) on Line 1 and Culture Park Station on Line 6. Either station is a good ten-minute walk from the pedestrian street.  You may like to take a taxi, but during peak periods, taxis can be difficult to get in the area, and traffic in the immediate streets surrounding the pedestrian street can be heavy.

Chinese Name for Taxi: 上下九商业步行街

Open: from 10am and many places stay open till 10.30pm

 

Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street Map