The Shangma Street area in the southeastern part of central Taiyuan is one of the few remaining patches of the city's pre-modern urban fabric — a cluster of traditional courtyard houses, old commercial buildings, and narrow lanes that has survived multiple rounds of redevelopment. The buildings are mostly from the late Qing and Republican periods, built in the northern Chinese courtyard house style with carved stone door-frames and ornate wooden screens. Some are in poor condition, others have been renovated as restaurants or small shops.
The neighbourhood is not well-signposted as a tourist area, which is part of its appeal — locals live and work here alongside the heritage buildings. A morning walk through Shangma Street, stopping for breakfast at one of the traditional food stalls, is one of the more authentic urban experiences available in Taiyuan.