At night in Jingzhou, Hubei, you must visit these local food streets—perfect for eating and strolling!

Sacred land of Lord Guan, charming ancient Jingzhou.

This is my second time in Jingzhou, Hubei—an underestimated ancient city in Hubei. A few friends and I spent four days and three nights here, visiting many places, and we still felt we hadn't seen enough.

Along the way, we experienced Zhang Juzheng's Former Residence in Jingzhou Ancient City, Guan Yu Temple, Guan Di Temple, Jingzhou Museum, Chu King's Chariot Pit, Qianshan Forest Park, Jingzhou Fantawild Oriental Heritage, and Shashi Yangmatou Cultural and Creative Park.

At night, we went to Jing Street, Changjiang University Night Market, and Dasai Alley Night Market to savor local specialties and the vibrant atmosphere of everyday life.

We also drove to Songzi and experienced the Ninth Universe Aerospace Exploration Center and Songzi Weishui Scenic Area.

Thousands of years of Chu culture and Three Kingdoms culture blend here. Over four days and three nights, I gradually formed my own impressions of this ancient Jingzhou city.

In Jingzhou at night, we visited night markets almost every day—I never expected them to be so rich and colorful! These two night markets are must-visits when you come to Jingzhou.

Before coming to Jingzhou, many friends recommended that I go to Dasai Alley, a snack street that has been around for many years in Shashi. This food street was even featured on CCTV. Compared to Changda Xinfeng Night Market, it is more authentic and traditional.

In Dasai Alley, the uncle selling steamed rice cakes was very warm. I bought a few pieces of steamed rice cake—fragrant, soft, and delicious. The uncle said he has been selling them for over twenty years, and the rice cakes were neatly arranged.

The uncle selling rice cakes recommended a local guokui (a type of baked flatbread). He told me to go and eat "Wanhang Guokui"—I listened three or four times but couldn't catch it. Later I figured out that he actually meant "Wang Han Guokui."

This guokui shop is not in Dasai Alley, but it's very close—just walk to the end of Dasai Alley and cross the street.

The uncle said, "Wang Han Guokui" is a name given by the locals. We said, "If you take off your mask, let's see if you look like Wang Han?"

He replied, "No, the mask can't come off; hygiene is important."

"Using traditional techniques and methods, old dough combined with a secret family recipe, creating a hundred-year flatbread. It was once featured on CCTV's 'Home Far Away.' Because he looks very similar to Wang Han from Hunan TV, locals call him Wang Han Guokui. His real name is Peng Yuanxi, and he has been making guokui for 20 years. His love for guokui has surpassed life itself." This is the self-introduction of the guokui shop, telling the origin of its name.

I bought a beef double-flavor guokui for 12 yuan. Ate it hot—very fragrant.

Back in Dasai Alley, I queued up to buy Aizi Pie, the only small shop that evening requiring a line.

Unfortunately, the flavors of pepper-salt, chestnut, and matcha were all sold out. The pies are sold by weight at 18.8 yuan per jin (500g). Other flavors available: brown sugar, sugar-free, durian, and black sesame.

I also had Jinshi beef noodles at a very small shop, ordering a bowl of large intestine round rice noodles.

The soup dumplings here are said to be very special, steaming hot, but unfortunately I couldn't eat any more.

The most distinctive place was a shop called "Round Beans Soaked in Glutinous Rice." At first I thought it was a dessert shop, right next to Dasai Alley Elementary School.

I ordered a portion with pork ribs flavor, 16 yuan per bowl. They gave me a bowl of sticky rice to soak in the soup and eat together—really quite good.

There were many foods in the night market that I had never seen before. The one shaped like this is also called guokui.

A friend said that Jingzhou has a county called Gong'an. If you are a foodie, you must have heard of Niusanbao and guokui—both are specialties of Gong'an County. Unfortunately, I didn't go to Gong'an this time; maybe another time.

What is this? Never seen it.

After walking around the night market, I couldn't eat anymore. Had countless carbs—so happy. There are so many foods in the small alleys, waiting to be discovered slowly.

This night market is great for young people, with many trendy internet-famous foods.

Changda Xinfeng Night Market is located next to Changjiang University in Jingzhou, also full of the lively atmosphere of daily life.

There are all kinds of snacks from all over the country. Many college students come to stroll around.

I tried a few fragrant and soft Jingzhou-style rice cakes; the young lady selling them was quite pretty.

Not far from Changda Night Market, you can also take a stroll on Jing Street, which is perfect for an evening walk.

That day we also encountered a free performance, very lively.

That evening for dinner, we ate at "Du Jia Ji," a 40-year-old local Jingzhou brand restaurant. We tried free-range rooster, pork rib and lotus root soup, and steamed fish cake.

I absolutely love Hubei's lotus root soup—the lotus root is dense and smooth. Steamed fish cake is also a Jingzhou specialty; you must try it.

Finally, go watch the light show on the ancient Jingzhou city wall, and stroll along the moat with a few friends—very romantic.

This is the night scene of Jingzhou Ancient City in my memory: antique yet modern. If you're a foodie, don't miss Jingzhou, Hubei!