Every city has one, but none have the crowds of Guangzhou’s. Nestled in the old part of town, the “walking street” (“pedestrian mall” doesn’t quite work) is a good place for people-watching, but not for those who can’t handle noise and bustle. It is a hodgepodge of two- to four-story buildings, mostly in the Treaty Port Style. While there are a few restaurants, teahouses, and open-air food stalls hawking freshly cooked local specialties, most of the nearly 250 shops lining the 800-meter walk offer the usual selection of casual wear, sporting goods, handbags, and shoes. There are some beautiful colored glass latticework windows, but the hanging plastic flowers are a bit tacky.
Shangxiajiu Walking Street
上下九商业步行街
