Ancient Cultural Street of Shuyuanmen, Xian

Walk south for around 700 meters from the Bell Tower and turn right and then you will see an ancient cultural street named Shuyuanmen. It gains its name because of the Guangzhong Academy located in the middle of the street.

Guanzhong Academy was the most prestigious one in Shaanxi Province during the Ming (1368 – 1644AD) and Qing (1644 – 1911AD) Dynasties. It was also the place where the imperial examinations were held. Thus, hostels, inns, tea houses and restaurants were built on each side of the street to serve the examinees who took the imperial examinations. As time goes by, the hostels, inns, tea houses and restaurants have already disappeared.

A renovation project was launched from 1990 to 1991. After the renovation, this street has become an ancient commercial street where seals, scrolls of calligraphy and paintings, painting paper and brushes, antiques and other art objects are sold.