What Tunxi Old Street actually is
Tunxi Old Street (屯溪老街) is a preserved Huizhou merchant street in downtown Huangshan, with an approximately 830-metre pedestrian main street. The timber shopfronts now house tea sellers, ink and inkstone shops, snack stalls, restaurants and souvenir stores. Go for a walk through an old trading district. Huangshan’s Old Street guide
For the clan halls and courtyards of a rural Huizhou settlement, add Xidi Ancient Village or Hongcun as a separate visit.
How much time you need
- 30–45 minutes for the main street. Start at the east entrance and walk west to Zhenhai Bridge (镇海桥), with time to look at the carved timber fronts.
- 1–2 hours with side lanes. Stop for tea, take one or two lane detours and turn down toward Tunxi River Street (屯溪河街) for a short walk along the Xin’an River.
- About 3 hours with dinner. Walk at dusk, then eat on the old street or by the river. If it’s raining, keep to the shopfronts and take care on the wet stone.
What to eat and what to buy
- Huangshan shaobing · 黄山烧饼
- A small flaky baked pastry, often filled with preserved mustard greens and pork. Try one warm before buying a box.
- Hairy tofu · 毛豆腐
- Fermented tofu with a white coating, usually pan-fried and served with a sauce. It’s an easy snack to split.
- Fermented mandarin fish · 臭鳜鱼
- A Huizhou dinner dish with a strong aroma and firm flesh. Check the portion and price if ordering a whole fish.
For something made in the region, look for Huangshan Maofeng tea (黄山毛峰), Huizhou ink sticks (徽墨) or She inkstones (歙砚). For tea, taste it and check the producer, growing area and packing date. For ink or an inkstone, ask who made it and where. For an inkstone, ask where the stone came from too. Look for a geographical indication on packaged goods that claim one.
Treat magnets, key rings and printed trinkets with no maker listed as generic souvenirs. Ask for a maker or origin label before paying a premium for a local craft. Huangshan’s food guide · Huangshan shaobing · Local products and makers
Getting there from the train station and airport
| Starting point | By car | Where to go |
|---|---|---|
| Huangshan North (黄山北站) | 20–30 min | Take a taxi from the station or take bus 21 from the forecourt to Old Street Er Malu (老街二马路), then walk to the street. |
| Tunxi Airport (TXN) | 15–20 min | Take a taxi or ride-hail from arrivals. Use the east entrance or your hotel’s designated drop-off point. |
| Tangkou South Gate Transfer Center | 55–75 min | Take a car from the transfer center or check the coach to downtown Tunxi and allow for the walk or taxi from your drop-off. Start the clock after you’re back in Tangkou. |
Municipal bus and coach guide · North Station transfer estimates · Airport transfer estimates · Tunxi and Tangkou journey estimates
Where to stay if you have an early train
Stay near Huangshan North for the earliest departure. Pick a hotel with a verified walk or a confirmed early transfer. Check for 黄山北站 on your ticket, since Huangshan Station (黄山站) is a different station.
Stay by Tunxi Old Street if you want dinner and the riverfront within walking distance and have time for a morning car ride. If your hotel is in a pedestrian lane, agree on a pickup point the night before. Choose Tangkou when your next morning starts with the mountain shuttle. See the Huangshan hotels guide for the mountain and town options.
Is it worth it? Honest verdict
- Arrival day. Yes, if you’re staying in Tunxi. Drop your bags and go for dinner and a dusk walk.
- Departure day. Yes, if you have time for the visit, the ride to the station and your train check-in. A main-street walk works if your window is short.
- Only two days in Huangshan. Give the mountain your daylight. Fit in the old street over dinner if you already pass through Tunxi. For a dedicated Huizhou heritage stop, choose Xidi if you can spare half a day.
Use the Yellow Mountain trip planner to see where a city stop fits around your mountain days.
FAQ
Where can I park near Tunxi Old Street?
Use a signed lot outside the pedestrian core. Look for the Yan’an Road paid lot (延安路收费停车场) or the River Street underground lot (河街地下收费停车场). Spaces can fill on weekends and holidays. For a taxi drop-off, ask for the Old Street East Entrance (屯溪老街东入口).
What time do the shops close?
The public street is free to walk through after shops shut. Many shops close around 9–10pm, with hours set by each business. Small workshops may close earlier. If you’re arriving late, check the restaurant’s last order before you go.
Is Tunxi Old Street suitable for children?
Yes. Keep it to a short walk and a snack stop for younger children. A stroller can manage much of the main street, though stone paving is uneven, some side lanes have steps and the street gets crowded after dark. Keep children close by the river.