As a famous landmark in Wenzhou, Wuma Chan Street has experienced ups and downs. Nowadays, after undergoing renovation and upgradation, more and more citizens praise its new face, which indirectly confirms the reemergence of pedestrian street. Let’s follow the beautiful photos to explore the cultural stories in Wuma Chan Street.

Through renovation and upgradation, Chan Street links up Songtai Square and the central tourist axis of Zhongshan Park, and successively builds the "12 Characteristic Scenes on Chan Street", and the "10 Characteristic Scenes on Gongyuan Road". Old shops such as Wuweihe and Jinsanyi have returned one after another. The completion of Wenzhou Imperial Examination Culture Exhibition Hall and the renovation of Yuyuan mean that traditional culture is well restored and its contemporary value has been fully brought into play. The charm of this old city reappears, evoking the nostalgia of countless Wenzhou people.

Fashion and arts converge here. Wuma Street has built China’s first commercial street characterized with facial payment. 24 shops accept facial payment, and all shops here have realized 100% mobile payment. At the same time, the introduction of panoramic VR technology to build a tourist experience center, smart hotel, etc. on Gong'an Road. With the collision of tradition and modernity, the old street has been fully reinvigorated, becoming the "Inter-famous site" for young people.

The Chan Street is overflowing with people in an unprecedented prosperity

The Millennium Ancient Qiaolou was built in the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. It stands at the intersection of Gulou Street and Gong'an Road in Wuma Street, guarding this ancient city.

According to legend, Wang Yizhi, the calligraphic giant, was once appointed as governor of Wenzhou County, and he often took a five-horse-driving carriage to and from this street. This is why Wuma Street was named after. As "The Chronicle of  Wenzhou" written: "Wang Xizhi, the governor of Yongjia County, traveled with a five-horse-driving carriage. Local people admired him so much."

The flowers are budding and trees are flourishing. The traces of spring are all over the Wenzyhou city.

The weather is getting warmer. The old garden has its new look. The beauty and peach blossoms converge here, what good signs of happiness and longevity

At the entrance of Wenzhou 8th Middle School, a stone tablet, which is made in the 23rd year (1818) during the reign of Emperor Jiaqing of Qing Dynasty, is standing side by side with the "Wenzhou Normal School". It’s a perfect evidence tha tthis place was the site of the Wenzhou Ancient Examination Hall. After reading the inscription, you can understand the hidden mystery why Wenzhou could be a major town in the thousand-year history of imperial examination.

The "Wangmu Pavilion" was turned to ashes by a fire in 1919. It is said that the pavilion was built by Wenzhou people to commemorate Wang Shipeng, a village scholar of the Southern Song Dynasty. He once ranked the number one in the imperial examination. Now, "Wangmu Pavilion" once again returned to the sight of Wenzhou citizens, standing on the east side of the gate of Wenzhou 8th Middle School.

The Chan Street celebrates the Chinese new year with auspicious stone lions

Among the Wenzhou’s 36 “fang”(as same meaning as “neighborhood”) , which were planned by Yangpan, the governor of Wenzhou in the Northern Song Dynasty, Ganquanfang starts from Wuma Street in the east and ends at the foot of Songtai Mountain in the west. According to legend, there is an octagonal well in the west of Ganquanfang. The water quality is sweet and delicious, and it is not dry for a long time. The well was called Ganquan(which means sweet spring water) Well. Hench, Ganquanfang was named after it. Furthermore, there is a large bridge built in this neighborhood, which means that the sweet spring water is given by the gods.