Hefang Street - A Glimpse of Hangzhou Culture

Hefang Street (河坊街), once called Taiping Street, dates back to the time South Song Dynasty when Hangzhou was the capital city. In 1152, General Zhang Jun (张俊) was conferred the title of “Qinghe County King”. In order to highlight his high status, Zhang Jun began to build his mansion around Taiping Street. People called this site Qinghe Fang and renamed Taiping Street as Hefang Street. In South Song Dynasty, Hefang Street has been a rather prosperous business site and the center of culture and politics. It is said that Zhang Jun once invited Emperor Gaozhong to have an unprecedented feast in China's history in Qinghe Street, and the menu came down and became today's Hangzhou Dishes.

Nowadays, Hefang Street is the most famous and the only well-preserved ancient street in Hangzhou. It represents the old story and showcases the folk culture of Hangzhou. The cobbled street is lined with lots of time-honored stores, from which you will get a better understanding of ancient Hangzhou and ancient China. You could explore the traditional Chinese medicine culture, enjoy the delicate handicrafts, taste the delicious Hangzhou dishes...

Interested in magic Chinese medicine culture? Hefang Street is the first option for tourists in Hangzhou. In ancient times, Hefang Street was home to many Chinese medicine halls, and some of them are still there today. Now, you can explore traditional Chinese medicine culture here in Hu Qing Yu Tang, Yezhongde Tang (叶种德堂), Baohe Tang, and Fanghuichun Tang (方回春堂).

Hu Qing Yu Tang (胡庆余堂): Founded in 1874 by Hu Xueyan, Hu Qing Yu Tang is a herbal medicine shop as well as a museum of traditional Chinese pharmacy. Insisting on the concept of “kind deeds, excellent goods at reasonable prices and never cheating”, Hu Qing Yu Tang has long been respected and praised by local people. Hu Qing Yu Tang is a well-preserved business architecture group of the late Qing Dynasty. Entering this majestic building, you can see the great hall, exquisite carvings, and its unique layout. Taking up more than 4,000 square meters, it features not only the architectural style and features of ancient buildings but also the opportunity to read about the treasures of Chinese medicine, learn many anecdotes of some celebrated Chinese doctors, and, if you're interested, experience the pharmaceutical technology in person.

Baohe Tang (保和堂): It is said that Baohe Tang is a herbal medicine shop with a history of over one thousand years. According to the legend, Xu Xian (许仙) was an apprentice in Baohe Tang when he met Madam White Snack (白娘子) in the West Lake. So you can find a bronze statue of Xu Xian near the gate of Baohe Tang. In fact, Baohe Tang enjoyed a high prestige at Qinghe Fang because the doctors in Baohe Tang always cured poor people for free. At the end of the Qing Dynasty, Baohe Tang declined for the growing prosperity of Hu Qing Yu Tang. Today's Baohe Tang is newly built, and medicinal liquor and medicinal tea are on offer.

Hefang Street is home to many interesting museums or theme exhibition halls. Visiting these museums enables you to have a deep touch with the essence of Hangzhou art and Hangzhou culture. Zhu Bingren Copper Sculpture Museum, Guanfu (观复博物馆) Museum - a treasure trove of antiques that houses a rich collection of cultural relics spanning different eras, Rongbaozhai (荣宝斋) - an art gallery exhibiting paintings from Ming and Qing dynasties, and Ancient Ceramics Museum (古陶瓷博物馆) all deserve seeing.

Zhu Bingren Copper Sculpture Museum (朱炳仁铜雕艺术博物馆): Zhu Bingren Copper Sculpture Museum is the only museum focusing on copper sculpture in China. Occupying about 3,000 square meters, the whole museum shows a Jiangnan style in the Ming and Qing dynastes. Except for the wall and the floor, other building structure and furniture are all made by copper structure or decorated with copper, totally costing 56 ton of copper, so it is also honored as Jiangnan Copper House. Entering this museum, you can feel the strong copper culture and these beautiful copper paintings, copper calligraphies, copper murals and copper statues, which will really fest your eyes and give you a surprise.

Handicrafts are a big label of Hangzhou. In fact, Hangzhou is not only the capital of the South Song Dynasty, but also a "capital" of knives, scissors, umbrellas, and fans. Luckily, you can see all these four products (quite different from the ordinary ones) in Hefang Street. Stores of Wangxingji Fans, Zhang Xiaoquan Scissor (张小泉剪刀) are both there. Moreover, there are stores selling various pottery works of lion dances and Peking Opera figures, bamboo weavings, delicate clothing...

Wangxingji Fans (王星记扇): With a history dating back to 1875, Wangxingji Fans is renowned as one of the "Three Wonders of Hangzhou". Wangxingji's product range is extensive, covering 19 major categories with over 10,000 patterns, including the famous black paper fans, sandalwood fans, and silk fans. Whether for practical use on a hot day or as a decorative art piece, Wangxingji fans blend functionality with intricate craftsmanship, making them a tangible symbol of Hangzhou's cultural heritage and a popular souvenir for visitors to Hefang Street.

Wuyue Family (吴越人家): Wuyue Family in Hefang Street is a hot shop for selling some articles of daily use and clothing supplies which are made by blue cloth with design in white. This cloth is also called Medicine Spot Cloth. It is weaved with pure cotton obtained from indigo plants. This amazing and elegant design is loved by many tourists, and most people like to buy some souvenirs here. You get an opportunity to watch the process of spinning, weaving and embroidering. On the exhibition hall, you can admire these delicate clothes and quilt series.

A Chinese old saying goes like that "outstanding people are always developed in good place" and Hangzhou is such a good place. In Hefang Street, Hu Xueyan's Former Residence and Yu Qian's Former Residence are now open to public.

Former Residence of Hu Xueyan (胡雪岩故居): Hu Xueyan was born in a poor family, but he bore good character. As Hu Xueyan set up Hu Qing Yu Tang, his business developed well. In his career peak, he built his mansion in Hefang Street. Combining the traditional Chinese features and western architecture style, this mansion shows magnificence and creativity. Pavilions, towers, rockeries, bridges, and corridors make Hu Xueyan's Former Residence a large garden. Wood carvings, stone carvings, calligraphy, and paintings add much enjoyment to this large garden.

Yu Qian's Former Residence (于谦故居): Yu Qian is a famous official and national hero in the Ming Dynasty. His devotion to country and people makes him well-known in China. Compared with Hu Xueyan's Former Residence, Yu Qian's Former Residence is much simpler and more unadorned. As you step into the yard, you will have a panoramic view of the whole residence - one tablet, one well, one room, one hall, one pool, and two pavilions. One household poem of Yu Qian is carved in the screen wall, which suggests his braveness and integrity.

Savoring the Exquisite Art

Countless roadside markets on two sides of Hefang Street can give you great fun as well. No matter in daytime or night, colorful candies, sugar paintings funny handicrafts, lively figurines, tasty snacks, and sweet beverages are all waiting for you to choose. Purchasing some as a gift to friends and family or just strolling on the busy street, tourists can feel the delight and kindness of local people.

South Song Imperial Street (南宋御街) used to be a paramount street during the South Song Dynasty. As its name suggests, this street came into shape in the South Song Dynasty. In every three years, the emperor would offer sacrifice to the ancestors and the heaven, and South Song Imperial Street was for the emperor exclusively. Because of its special location (near the imperial palace), it once was a flourishing street with millions of stores and entertainment venues. Nowadays, South Song Imperial Street is a noted food street in Hangzhou. It is especially famous for its night market, which offers all sorts of snacks from different parts of China. When the night falls, South Song Imperial Street turns into a food paradise, which makes you hard to leave. The largest Masjid - Fenghuang Temple, and the Halal restaurant owned by the temple are both located in South Song Imperial Street, and you can have a visit.

Hefang Street is located in the west part of Hangzhou city, and can be reached conveniently by metro, bus, and car. It's

• about 3 km from West Lake, 20 mins' walk from the Willows Park
• about 10 km from Lingyin Temple, 30 mins by car
• about 8 km from Hangzhou East Railway Station, 20 mins by car
• about 2 km from Hangzhou Railway Station, 15 mins by car
• about 19 km from Hangzhou West Railway Station, 45 mins by car
• about 14 km from Hangzhou South Railway Station, 40 mins by car

Metro Line 1 has a stop at Dingan Road Metro Station, which is about 1 km (10 mins' walk) from Hefang Street, and Metro Line 5 and 7 stop at Jiangcheng Road Metro Station, which is about 950m (15 mins' walk) from Hefang Street.

If you want to get rid of hustle of public transportation and troublesome navigation, it's highly suggested to travel with us China Discovery. As part of our comprehensive tour packages, we offer convenient pick-up & drop-off at airports and train stations, as well as seamless transportation between all scenic spots on your itinerary. Once you book our service, you'll bid farewell to travel-related worries, with a knowledgeable tour guide, satisfactory accommodation and dining and so on. You just need to focus on sightseeing. So, don't hesitate to contact us and let us take care of all your travel needs in China.

1. Accommodation: There are enough starred hotels in around Hefang Street, from luxury to budget-friendly, like Sofitel, Shangri-La Hotel, Xizi Hotel etc., all equipped with well-designed rooms and great service. Some basic but comfortable hotels are also available.

2. Food & Drinking: In Hefang Street, you can satisfy your stomach with tasty local food. At far end of Hefang Street are many stalls for street foods like crabs, squids, stinky tofu, BBQ, cool noodles and so on. There is a 140-year-old teahouse called Taiji Teaism where people like to have a cup of tea, listen to the popular tune and enjoy the performance of tea-brewing.

3. Best Time: All seasons are available to visit Hefang Street. The view is different between daytime and night. In day time, you can have a clearer sight of these old shops and museums. At night, Hefang Street offers you a better view with the red lanterns.

Usually, visitors spend 2 days around to enjoy a classic Hangzhou tour to visit the West Lake Scenic Area, including the amazing West Lake, Lingyin Temple, Longjing Tea Plantations, etc. If you want an in-depth Hangzhou tour, you can also pay another half day or so to visit Xixi National Wetland Park, one day around to Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, or one day or so to Thousand Islands Lake, etc. Check all Hangzhou Tours >>

☛ 2 Days Essence of Hangzhou Tour

☛ 3 Days Classic Hangzhou Tour Plus Tea Plantation Exploration

Also, you can spend 1 day to take a side trip to the nearby water towns like Wuzhen and Xitang in Jiaxing, 2~3 days to Putuoshan - one of the four sacred Buddhist Mountains in China, or 1 day to the popular Nanxun Old Town in Huzhou. Check more about Zhejiang Tours >>

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Besides, compared with just travelling Hangzhou, most of the visitors prefer to travel the metropolis Shanghai, Suzhou Gardens and Hangzhou Lakes in One Go! Such an amazing tour will take 5~6 days.

☛ 5 Days Shanghai Hangzhou Suzhou Highlights Tour

☛ 3 Days Hangzhou & Suzhou Beauty Tour by High Speed Train

☛ 4 Days Heavenly Hangzhou Suzhou Tour with Zhouzhuang Water Town

Some visitors also ride a high speed train to Huangshan to visit the world-famous Yellow Mountain. A Hangzhou Huangshan tour needs about 5 days around.

☛ 5 Days Yellow Mountain Tour from Hangzhou

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