An aerial view of Jiazhi Old Street in Taizhou. [Photo/the official news website of Taizhou]

The historic streets of Taizhou, East China's Zhejiang province, have drawn rising attention over the past year, with renewed cultural events, emerging businesses, and new tourism projects driving a steady increase in visitors.

Ziyang Street, Shili Changjie historic block, and Jiazhi Old Street have each introduced new experiences that blend heritage with contemporary cultural appeal. Shili Changjie historic block was recently included in a national list of best practices for historic and cultural blocks, reflecting the city's progress in enhancing heritage value through immersive programs and diverse cultural formats.

Holiday events have become a major driver of visitor traffic. During the National Day holiday and Mid-Autumn Festival, Shili Changjie historic block hosted a series of intangible cultural heritage performances, attracting families and young visitors with drum shows, lantern parades, and craft demonstrations. During the May Day holiday, the street recorded a single-day high of 370,000 visits and received more than 1.43 million visits in total, up 96.43 percent year-on-year. By Oct 31, annual foot traffic reached 19.9 million.

Other old streets in Taizhou have also expanded their appeal. In August, Jiazhi Old Street introduced a pixel-style setting, drawing crowds to its narrow lanes.

New businesses are also helping to retain visitors. Ziyang Street opened a teahouse featuring storytelling shows and small performances, receiving more than 3,000 visits per day during Spring Festival.

Looking ahead, operators plan to enhance immersive experiences, expand digital guides, and develop themed consumption seasons to support the long-term growth of Taizhou's historic streets.