Zhaode Ancient Street in Qingzhou（青州昭德古街） 

Zhaode Ancient Street in Qingzhou

Zhaode Ancient Street is located in the old town of Qingzhou, the heart of Shandong Province. The Hui ethnic group inhabits the area and gives it a distinct cultural feel.

Qingzhou's location makes it a natural transport hub, with a history of 2,200 years. During the Yuan Dynasty, about 700 years ago, a mass migration of Hui merchants arrived and settled in Qingzhou. The area where they formed their own distinct community was known as Zhaode Ancient Street.

Named after Zhaode Pagoda, Zhaode Street consists of a number of ancient streets, which are all connected, forming a "five-kilometer" street. The street, with its many shops, workshops, merchants and visitors, was extremely prosperous during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Today, the street retains its original layout, and some of the old buildings still stand. The old shops, with their black tiles, antiquated window frames, old-style wood doors, pillars and beams are a graphic illustration of the street's long and rich history.