Plan at a glance
Location and history
Saishang Old Street is west of Dazhao Temple (大召寺) in Yuquan District. Formerly called Tongshun Street (通顺街), it grew into a market street during the Wanli era of the Ming dynasty and its main stretch is about 600 meters long. Today’s lanes retain a mix of building forms from the Ming and Qing dynasties through the Republic of China period, but the streetscape has been renovated and commercial uses have changed. It remains a working old-city neighborhood.
How much time to allow
Allow 45 minutes to 1 hour for the main street. Set aside 1.5 to 2 hours if you want to browse crafts, eat, and continue to nearby lanes. A visit to Dazhao Temple or a courtyard compound takes additional time; check each venue’s hours separately.
More than one lane
The Dazhao Historic and Cultural Tourism Area (大召历史文化旅游区) also includes Dazhao Front Street (大召前街), Hehe Street (合和街), Jiujiu Street (九久街), Tongshun Daxiang (通顺大巷), and Yuquan Well Lane (玉泉井巷). Choose which lanes you want to visit before setting out. The nearby food street, temple, and courtyard compounds do not all share the same entrance or opening hours.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
Choose your visit
Lanes and old-city trade
Start at a street entrance and look at the brick-and-wood shopfronts, gray roof tiles, eaves, and the scale of the lanes. This was once a marketplace linking trade between the grasslands and the Central Plains. Take in the wider area around Dazhao as you walk, and remember that renovated shopfronts are not untouched historic buildings.
Crafts and newer businesses
The area has Mongolian leather paintings, Mongolian-style metal inlay, gold and silver chasing, wool-felt pyrography, creative shops, photo studios, and snack vendors. Whether a hands-on activity is available depends on the shop; ask about the price and duration before taking part.
Add Tongshun Daxiang as a separate stop
Tongshun Daxiang is a separate food lane near Dazhao Square (大召广场), west of the square and south of the main stretch of Saishang Old Street. It is known for dishes such as shaomai dumplings and lamb offal soup. Walk there from the old street; menus and business hours depend on each shop that day. Do not confuse it with Tongshun Street, the historic name for the main stretch of Saishang Old Street.
Who will enjoy it
This is an easy stop near Dazhao for visitors who enjoy walking, browsing small shops, or seeing local crafts. If you plan to shop or eat, set a budget and allow for changes in shop hours.
For a separate visit to the historic mosque, see Great Mosque of Hohhot.
Build your day
The 1-hour main-street walk
Enter from the west side of Dazhao Square, take in the street entrance, and walk along the main street to the far end. Stop at one or two shops, then return to the square or your transfer point. If an event changes access, follow the signs.
The 2-hour lanes-and-food route
Browse the main stretch of Saishang Old Street and stop at a craft or creative shop that interests you. Then go through Dazhao Square to Tongshun Daxiang on the south side for a meal. Use a map to return to a bus stop or taxi pickup point. If you plan to enter Dazhao Temple, check its hours separately and allow extra time.
A relaxed evening walk
For an evening visit, arrive before sunset, walk the main street, and choose a place to eat. Lighting, events, and shop hours vary by date. Before leaving, check bus service or the taxi pickup point; do not count on a festival performance every day.
Photography and crowds
The archway, gray-tiled shopfronts, and depth of the lanes make good street scenes. Ask before photographing craftspeople, customers, or the front of a photo studio. During holidays, keep entrances and shop doors clear; follow on-site directions if a temporary event affects pedestrian access.
Get there
Navigation and bus
Search for “Saishang Old Street” or No. 17 Tongshun Street (通顺街), Yuquan District, and check that the map points to the entrance you want. For buses, look up current routes serving Dazhao stop (大召站); use a live map for the route and drop-off point.
Metro and walking connections
Take the metro to the Xinhua Square area, then use a live map to transfer or continue toward the old city in Yuquan District. The station is not beside the old-street entrance. If traveling with older adults, children, or luggage, choose a transfer point near the edge of the neighborhood.
Taxi and driving
Get dropped off at the edge of the area and walk in; holiday pickup points may change. The old-city roads are narrow and parking is limited, so confirm where you can park before driving rather than circling the main street for a space.
Know before you go
Access and costs
The main street is free to walk through. Shops, courtyard compounds, exhibitions, and events have their own business hours or charges. Some shops may close at night, so check the businesses you plan to visit before setting out.
Shopping and paid activities
Before buying food or crafts, check the price, size or quantity, and expiration date. For a photo session or hands-on activity, confirm what is included, how long it takes, and the total price. Yuquan District’s 2026 notice requires clearly displayed prices; if there is a pricing dispute, contact staff on site or call 12345.
Walking and courtesy in the old city
The lanes are mainly for pedestrians. Watch for stone paving, steps, and crowds, and slow down in rain or snow. Follow the temple’s rules if you enter a nearby religious site. Respect people’s wishes before photographing them, craft demonstrations, or performances.