East Street

East Street is situated in the eastern corner of the ancient Rugao City. In 2004, the People’s Government of Rugao City designated it a Rugao Municipal-level Cultural Relic Protection Unit.

As the only surviving ancient street block in old Rugao, East Street dates back to the Southern Song Dynasty. It stretches 420 meters in length with a width of approximately 2.5 meters. The street center is paved with rough-surfaced stone slabs marked with wheel ruts left by wheelbarrows, while the road edges are lined with rough stone strips, embodying the distinctive street layout of the Southern Song period.

Most buildings along both sides feature wooden shopfronts, behind which lie residential compounds consisting of three or four interconnected halls, many equipped with courtyards or small gardens. The back gates of the houses on the northern side of the street lead directly down to the ancient Grand Canal, enabling merchants and residents to load and unload goods conveniently.

The preserved shops and mansions showcase architectural styles spanning the Ming, Qing and the Republic of China eras, with most dating from the late Qing to the early Republic of China period. Century-old establishments here include Wang Deda Cloth Shop, Xu Dachang Soy Sauce Store and Hengchang Grocery Store.