Nanmen Street is located outside the south gate of Gaoyou Ancient City in Jiangsu Province, on the west side of Yuchengyi Scenic Area, adjacent to the Grand Canal embankment. It is commonly known as Nanmen Ming and Qing Street and was once the busiest historical and cultural district in Gaoyou during the Ming and Qing dynasties. In 2014, it was listed as a World Heritage Site (an important part of the 46th World Heritage Site in China, the Beijing Hangzhou Grand Canal). The street was built in the Song Dynasty, flourished in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and prospered in modern times. It is truly a vital link connecting the Lixia River and the Grand Canal, and linking Jiangsu and Anhui provinces. Customers came to both sides of the Grand Canal for transportation, and the situation lasted for more than 600 years until around the 1940s, when it was severely damaged by war and a fire that affected more than 40 shops, gradually leading to a depression. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, from 1993 to 1995, during the renovation of Yuchengyi by the People's Government of Gaoyou City, Nanmen Street was also renovated and restored. The street, which was restored to its original state and revitalized, has a total length of about 230 meters and more than 40 shops of various types. It has become a business card showcasing Gaoyou's products and local customs.
