The Academy Gate (Shuyuan men) Traditional Cultural Street

Situated on the eastern side of the South Gate of ancient Chang'an city, the Academy Gate (Shuyuan men), is a cultural street factually restored in the style of the ancient architectures of the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties.
Through the archway on which Chinese characters for "the Academy Gate" is inscribed, a green flagstone street extends. Stretches of two-storey stores in traditional Chinese architectural style stand on both sides with the aroma of Chinese ink wafting. These stores deal mostly in the "treasures of study": curios, jade articles, gold and silver ornaments, traditional Chinese calligraphies and paintings, copybooks, and handcrafted keepsakes. There are authentic works by renowned artists, but you can always try bargaining for what you want. Open-air stalls are equally attractive. Along the street, Xun (an ancient egg-shaped wind instrument with eight holes) and jade articles are commonly seen. Walking in the area of the Academy Gate cultural street, you may hear the sounds of the Xun and the bamboo flute played by storekeepers now and again to drum up trade, which is not really a melody but more the symbol of Xi'an. Jade articles here are mostly from Lantian county of Xi'an, renowned for the quality of jade from ancient China. If you are lucky enough, you will see the old folk artist giving a traditional Chinese painting or calligraphy presentation in front of the site of Guanzhong Academy (Guanzhong shuyuan).