Shuidong Old Street in Xuancheng, Anhui: A hidden, authentic gem perfect for a stroll

Shuidong Old Street in Xuancheng, Anhui: A hidden, authentic gem perfect for a stroll Shuidong Old Street is located in Shuidong Town, Xuanzhou District, Xuancheng City, Anhui Province. It is a town with a thousand-year history and one of the ten most pristine old streets in Anhui. · History: Founded during the Sui and Tang dynasties, it became an important trading port during the Ming and Qing dynasties due to the "Golden Waterway" of the Shuiyang River, earning it the nickname "Little Nanjing" of southern Anhui. · Architecture: It retains a well-preserved complex of Ming and Qing Hui-style buildings (covering over 30,000 square meters) featuring blue bricks, black tiles, and horse-head walls. The layout typically follows the "shop below, residence above; shop in front, workshop in back" style. · Core attractions: · Eighteen Steps and Five Wells: The landmark of the old street. Beside the 18 ancient stone steps are five ancient wells. The water was graded for drinking, washing vegetables, and doing laundry, reflecting the wisdom of the ancients. · Shuidong Catholic Church: The first Catholic church in southern Anhui, where Gothic style coexists with Hui-style architecture. It is as famous as the Sheshan Basilica in Shanghai. · Ningdong Temple (Sanguan Hall): Founded in the Tang dynasty, it is the oldest existing temple in Xuanzhou. · Daifu Mansion: A residence of a fourth-rank official from the Ming dynasty, representing the old houses of the street. · Cultural heritage: You can experience traditional crafts such as southern Anhui shadow puppetry, the provincial intangible cultural heritage of Shuidong candied date making, and century-old Xuan fan making. · Travel info: The street is open all day, all year round, and is free to enter. It is not overly commercialized and is still inhabited by local residents, offering a rich, authentic atmosphere.