Hetou Old Street, Tangshan, Hebei

As dusk settles over the Tangjin Canal, rows of lanterns begin to glow, while visitors wander through the lively streets and along the waterfront. Named after the meeting point of the Meihe River and the Tangjin Canal, Hetou was once an important hub for Tangshan's coal transportation more than a century ago.

Today, a stroll through the old street offers a different way to experience its heritage: take in the canal illuminated at night, listen to traditional performances such as Pingju Opera, shadow puppetry, and laoting dagu (a traditional storytelling and singing art accompanied by drums and percussion), and soak up the sounds of people and water that bring Tangshan's canal history to life.

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