Anting Old Street, the historic core of Anting town in Jiading district, stretches for more than 900 meters along the town's western edge. The town's name dates back to the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220), and is believed to have originated from roadside pavilions that once offered shelter to travelers, with Anting literally meaning "peaceful pavilion".

Preserved as one of the better-kept water-town lanes in northwest Shanghai, the street is centered on the Yansi Bridge, built during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), and retains the classic "road-bridge-street" layout. A leisurely walk takes visitors past the tranquil Anting River, the elegant Yong'an Pagoda, and a pomegranate tree that has stood for more than 160 years.

Beyond its historical charm, the street weaves together diverse cultural threads. These include a Shanghai-level intangible heritage workshop dedicated to traditional indigo-patterned cloth, creative cultural products inspired by the 1,200-year-old ginkgo tree in Anting Gushu Park, and modern artistic touches drawing on Peking Opera and automotive design.

If you go

Where: No 325 Yong'an Street, Jiading district

Admission: Free

Open: All day

(Updated on Dec 18, 2025)

Source: Jiading district government