The Ming-Qing street set is a complete recreation of a provincial town from the fourteenth to nineteenth centuries — cobblestone lanes flanked by timber-framed shops, teahouses, and residences with carved wooden facades and hanging lanterns. The set is used for the enormous volume of Chinese period drama set in this era, which makes it the busiest shooting location in the complex on most days.
Walking these streets outside filming hours feels genuinely atmospheric: the architecture is researched and detailed, the street furniture is period-appropriate, and the overall effect is considerably more convincing than most "ancient street" recreations in Chinese cities. Several prop shops along the lane rent period costumes, and posing for photographs in full Ming or Qing dress is part of the visitor experience. The street connects to a reconstructed old Shanghai waterfront district, extending the historical range and the photography opportunities.