The Changsha Fire of 1938 – also known as Wenxi Fire – burned down part of Taiping Street’s buildings and historical sites. The street has been renovated several times since 1949, and each new generation reinvigorates the street. The renovated street takes on the old street pattern of Qing Dynasty, the living outlook of Republic of China, and the ordinary life scenes of modern residents. Using a potpourri of harmonious cultural displays, the street has gradually become a new venue for sightseeing, doing business and publicizing history and culture.

The past and the present coexist harmoniously. The new Taiping Street keeps the architecture, street patterns and the overall layout of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and carries on past cultural and commercial contexts. It simultaneously becomes the cradle of 1911 Revolution, and the carrier of business and folk traditions.

Rich in cultural resources, possessing a profound culture foundation and unique culture atmosphere, the new Taiping Street takes on the scene and culture it once had, providing tourists with a relaxing aura and shops rich in culture. On the other hand, it is also a site for further development. Here, it perfectly interprets the balance between development and preservation, environment and culture, and social and economic growth.

The oblique rays of the sun shine on the granite road and fire wall, but not to the bottom of the deep Jiayi Well. The 1,000-year-old Taiping Street is now experiencing its daytime bustle. Walking along the street youself, you may find that you are going back to ancient times. It seems that all shops run 200 years in the past. They are living and thriving in the time of great peace and prosperity. However, modern life still penetrates these touches of the past: shops selling personalized boutiques, Indian decorations and ornaments, hand-made puppets, CDs, as well as an increasing number of bars, These qualities make the Street the very place for the young and robust.

The old street is the root of a city which carries forward the city’s culture and history. Taiping Street fabulously displays Changsha’s thousand-year-old tradition. Today’s Taiping Street is fast becoming the new landmark and a new name card of Changsha, which fully demonstrates the glamour of Huxiang Culture and embodies Changsha’s ancient flavor.