Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street

Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street is the main walking and shopping street of Wuhu, a Yangtze River city in Anhui province, China. It sits in Jinghu District at the heart of the old commercial centre, beside Jinghu Park and Jiuzi Square, so the three are easily combined into one outing. The street is closed to traffic, which makes it comfortable for strolling at any hour. Visitors find a continuous run of clothing shops, department stores, cosmetics counters, tea sellers and snack stalls, with Chinese chain restaurants and cafes mixed in among older local businesses. Wuhu is known for regional street food, and the lanes around the street are a good place to try noodle dishes, fried snacks, steamed buns and sweet desserts at modest prices, typically a few yuan to a few dozen yuan per item. The atmosphere changes through the day. In the morning the street is quiet and mostly local shoppers pass through. By late afternoon the crowds build, and in the evening, when signs and street lighting come on, it is at its liveliest, with families, students and couples walking and eating. A typical visit takes one to two hours, longer for anyone shopping seriously. Because the street is flat, straight and well lit, it suits a slow evening walk after a visit to nearby Jinghu Park. Photographers tend to favour the evening, when the shop signs glow, and the busiest weekend evenings give the best street-life atmosphere but also the thickest crowds. Weekday mornings are calmest for anyone who prefers space. Payment is almost entirely by mobile apps such as Alipay and WeChat Pay, so international visitors should arrange a payment method or carry some cash for small stalls. Public restrooms are available in the larger shopping buildings along and near the street.