Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street上下九步行街
Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street, in Liwan District, is Guangzhou's most famous traditional shopping street, made up of Shangjiu Road, Xiajiu Road and Shifu Road for about 1200 m in all. The street preserves the city's classic qilou arcades and is the first stop for experiencing old-Guangzhou commercial culture. Century-old names line the route — Taotaoju, Lianxianglou, Guangzhou Restaurant — making the street shorthand for traditional Cantonese food.
Guangzhou · Visitor Guide2026-10-18
Quick Answer
Is Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street worth visiting?
Guangzhou's most famous qilou arcade shopping street, about 1,200 m along Shifu and Xiajiu roads. Free to browse, dense with century-old food names, with Hualin Temple's jade street next door.
Quick facts
| Ticket | Free to enter (purchases extra) |
|---|---|
| Hours | Open all day (shops roughly 09:00-22:00) |
| Recommended duration | 1.5-3 hours |
| Best time to visit | Year-round; the arcades are most atmospheric under the evening lights, while early morning is prime time for a food crawl |
| How to get there | Metro Line 1 or 6 to Huangsha, Exit B, then about 5 minutes on foot; or Line 6 to Cultural Park, Exit A |
| English signage | |
| Wheelchair accessible | Partial |
| Length | About 1200 m |
| Made up of | Shangjiu Road, Xiajiu Road, Shifu Road |
| Architecture | Guangzhou's traditional qilou arcades |
| Location | Liwan District |
| Type | Commercial pedestrian street |
What to expect
Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street, in Liwan District, is Guangzhou's most famous traditional shopping street and one of the birthplaces of the city's commerce. The qilou arcades flanking the street shield shoppers from sun and rain while keeping the walkways flowing — the signature form of Lingnan architecture. Beneath them, shop upon shop sells clothing, jewelry, herbal medicine and food. Daily foot traffic runs to the hundreds of thousands, and holidays are shoulder to shoulder: no street in Guangzhou feels more alive.
The district's history runs deep — as early as the Qing dynasty this was among the city's busiest commercial zones, and the sweeping redevelopments of the 1920s and 1930s set the arcade-street layout seen today. Century-old names cluster along the route: Taotaoju (founded 1885) for tea and dim sum, Lianxianglou (founded 1889) for mooncakes, Guangzhou Restaurant for Cantonese cuisine, Huangshanghuang for cured sausage, Zhimeizhai for sauces, plus countless medicine shops, gold shops and cloth stores. This is the best place to taste old Guangzhou — in commerce and on the plate.
Plan your visit: the street runs about 1200 m, a 30-40 minute walk. Start on Dishifu Road and work south to Shangjiu Road to catch the changing character of each block. With this much food, time your visit for breakfast or lunch and graze as you go. Hualin Temple's jade market is nearby and easy to add on; buy jewelry only at proper shops.
How to get there
Guangzhou Metro Line 1 or 6 to Huangsha, Exit B, then about 5 minutes on foot. Line 6 to Cultural Park, Exit A, then about 8 minutes on foot. Buses 6, 61 and 82 stop at Xiajiu Road.
Best photo spots
- The qilou arcades lining both sides of the street
- The old gate front of Taotaoju
- The landmark archway on Dishifu Road
- The entrance to Hualin Temple's jade street
- The arcades under the evening lights
Tips
- Food picks — morning tea at Taotaoju (a century-old house), pastries at Lianxianglou, cured sausage from Huangshanghuang, double-skin milk at Nanxin
- Holiday crowds are immense; watch your belongings
- For valuables such as jewelry, buy at reputable shops and ask for a receipt
- Shamian Island and Chen Clan Ancestral Hall are close by — bundle them into one day
- The street's gold shops price above e-commerce platforms; spend with a level head
Scams to avoid
- Street vendors pushing fruit on passersby — walk on
- Some "century-old" storefronts are actually leased stalls of uneven quality
- Don't join the stone-cutting gambling games on Hualin Temple's jade street
- Gold shops may short you on weight or purity — buy carefully
Frequently asked questions
Does Shangxiajiu charge admission?
No — the street is free to enter; purchases in the shops are extra.
How does Shangxiajiu differ from Beijing Road?
Shangxiajiu is the traditional qilou arcade street, known for old names and classic food; Beijing Road is known for its ancient road remains and modern retail. Different styles, each with its own character.
What sights are nearby?
Shamian Island (10 minutes on foot), Chen Clan Ancestral Hall (15 minutes) and Hualin Temple (adjacent) — easy to combine in one outing.
What should I eat?
Morning tea at Taotaoju, mooncakes and chicken biscuits from Lianxianglou, Guangzhou Restaurant, Huangshanghuang sausage, Nanxin double-skin milk, Shunji Ice Room and more.
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