Wuxi·Nanchang Street | Ultimate Guide || Nanchang Street is an old street brimming with the ancient charm of Jiangnan water towns

|| Nanchang Street is an old street brimming with the ancient charm of Jiangnan water towns. By day, it's a bustling marketplace, and by night, when the lights come on, you can take a boat ride to admire the lively scenery along the banks and soak in the vibrant and romantic atmosphere of this land of fish and rice. Bridges are an integral part of Jiangnan water towns, so be sure to walk across all the bridges over the ancient canal on Nanchang Street, including Kuatang Bridge, Dagong Bridge, and Qingming Bridge, which was featured prominently in the Spring Festival Gala.

As one of the 2025 CCTV Spring Festival Gala sub-venues, Nanchang Street has become a popular tourist hotspot. Thanks to the Gala decorations, Qingming Bridge has been adorned even more beautifully—trust the aesthetic sense of CCTV!

🎫 Admission: Free and open all day

🌟 Key Highlights
✅ Important Status: As part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Grand Canal and a National AAAA-level scenic area, the Qingming Bridge Historical and Cultural Block where Nanchang Street is located is hailed as the "Jiangnan Water Alley, the Unparalleled Canal Site."
✅ Spring Festival Gala Boost: The 2025 CCTV Spring Festival Gala Wuxi sub-venue main stage is set here, offering dazzling night views and a spectacular sight.
✅ Nighttime Economy: A comprehensive nighttime consumption scene integrating night tours, night dining, night entertainment, and night shopping, showcasing the bustling nightlife of Jiangnan water towns.

📜 History & Culture
Nanchang Street dates back to the Wu Kingdom during the Three Kingdoms period, when it was already Wuxi's main commercial street. Over centuries of development, it gradually became Wuxi's most prosperous commercial center. The street retains many ancient buildings, such as brick-and-wood structures from the Republic of China era and Qing Dynasty garden villas, exuding a rich historical atmosphere. Additionally, Nanchang Street is renowned for traditional handicrafts, with shops selling exquisite items like paper-cutting, embroidery, and wood carvings, preserving the long-standing craft traditions of the Jiangnan region.

🏘️ Unique Attractions
✅ Ancient Bridge Tour: Qingming Bridge is the iconic landmark of Nanchang Street, known as the "Jiangnan Water Alley, the Unparalleled Canal Site." The "Wuxi" inscription under the bridge is a popular photo spot. Kuatang Bridge and Dagong Bridge are also worth visiting. Due to the Spring Festival Gala influence, there may be queues to visit Qingming Bridge.
✅ Natural Scenery: The rows of plane trees along the street complement the canal, creating a picturesque view, especially in autumn when the leaves turn golden.
✅ Cultural Museums: The China Silk Museum is perfect for visitors interested in traditional culture, offering an in-depth experience of Wuxi's silk craftsmanship.

🍜 Food Recommendations
A visit to Nanchang Street isn't complete without trying the local delicacies. All of Wuxi's famous snacks can be found here: plum blossom cakes, silver thread noodles, pan-fried buns, magnolia cakes, and the must-try tofu pudding, a staple of Jiangnan ancient towns. Also, don’t miss the recently viral Maigan Rope Oil Twist, a unique snack that’s taken the national food scene by storm. Beyond traditional fare, the area also features modern-style restaurants and bars.