This northern end of Taojin Road feeds pedestrians and traffic into Hengfu Lu, which is blighted by a World Bank funded elevated road. The many side streets form an extensive pedestrian network, many of which don't allow vehicular through traffic. As a result the area is filled with 'traffic cells' which by cutting off through traffic serves to greatly limit car traffic. Combined with the large variety of land uses and intensity of activity the contrast of these interior areas with the traffic-dominated main roads - Hengfu Lu to the north and Huanshi Road to the south - is extreme.
Since this part of Taojin Road functions mainly as a traffic street, people tend not to linger, making it relatively straightforward to look around without drawing too much attention even while many people pass by.
The 'local' character of this northern section of Taojin Road is reflected in the variety of shops and businesses. Rents are relatively high given the constant pedestrian flow and restaurants & cafes tend to come & go fairly regularly. The topography adds an appealing design element to the street, with many of the shopfronts perched up above the footpath (and some down below & at street level) accessed via stairs and providing some cover in cases of heavy rain. The access stairs and balcony frontages provide an opportunity for individualized decorations which some of the shops have taken advantage of, further enhancing the kaleidoscopic appeal of Taojin Bei Lu.