[Photo from guilin.com]

Zhengyang Pedestrian Street faces the Lijiang River on the east, Central Plaza on the west, the scenic spot of Shanhu Lake on the south and Guilin Prince City on the north. Officially opened on New Year’s Day in 2001, it is the first commercial and pedestrian street in Guilin to adopt market financing and business operations. It is a multi-functional street that offers shopping, sightseeing and recreation. With a customer-friendly and comfortable environment, this ancient street, with its time-honored history and culture, is full of vitality and has already become a vital platform for Guilin to showcase its political, economic, cultural and business vigor to the outside world.

Covering an area of 32,000 square meters, Zhengyang Pedestrian Street is 666 meters long and 12 to 14 meters wide. The 17.5-meter-high red bell tower at the center of the street has become its emblem. Buildings on the street generally take the style of ancient Chinese architecture, while there are also some buildings of classical European style, bringing an exotic element to the street. In addition to the pavilions, terraces and open halls of the Han and Tang dynasties, there are houses with South Asian, Japanese and European styles. Therefore, the pedestrian street blends commerce and traditional culture. It can be as bustling as temple fairs in Beijing but as artsy as Yangshuo West Street.