[Photo from guilin.com]

Built in 1674, West Street is the oldest street in Yangshuo. It lies beside the Lijiang River and faces the East Ridge with Gaoze Mountain on its west and Bilian Mountain on its east. The 8-meter-wide and 800-meter-long street is paved with local marbles with a betel nut pattern. On both sides of the street are Simple and graceful brick tiled houses from Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) line both sides of the street in a typical Lingnan style (low, with pinkish-white walls and red windows).

[Photo from guilin.com]

The name West Street comes from its location and its history traces back over 1400 years. The street, which has not always been as long as it is now, is the oldest street in the city and one of the most popular tourist sites in Yangshuo.

Most historical buildings on the street are well preserved, as is the Ming-Dynasty (1368-1644) city wall and various stone inscriptions, ancient temples and pavilions. Many buildings have significant historical value; it was on this street that Dr. Sun Yat-sen gave his speech; where renowned artist, Xu Beihong, once lived; and where leaders of over 150 countries have paid visits over the years.

Many of the buildings on West Street were built approximately 60 or 70 years ago, with the exception of a few surviving buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties. The large marbles used to pave the street add to its sense of history. Following renovation works in 1864, the street became an attractive cultural tourism attraction.

From 1999 to 2004, Yangshuo county completed carried out an extensive protective renovation in which the architectural style of Northern Guangxi folk residences was enhanced. The style consists of elements such as gray tiles, sloped roofs, horse-head walls, wooden doors and windows with hanging balconies. Since then, the parallel West Street and Guihua Street, have created a unique scene in Yangshuo.