Hangzhou, a beautiful water town in the south of the Yangtze River, has a long history and rich cultural heritage. Here, there is an alley called Hefang Street, which is the epitome of Hangzhou citizens' life and the treasure of Chinese traditional culture. Hefang Street is located on the east side of West Lake Scenic Area in Hangzhou, starting from Pinghai Road in the north and Jiefang Road in the south, with a total length of 1,227 meters. There is both a heavy sense of history and the vitality and prosperity of a modern city.
When you walk into Hefang Street, the first thing you see are those buildings with blue bricks and tiles, cornices and beautiful carvings. These antique houses seem to be telling stories of the past. When you walk in this street, you will be unconsciously infected by the strong historical atmosphere around you. There are many shops on both sides of Hefang Street, where you can find all kinds of handicrafts and delicacies with Hangzhou characteristics.
When walking in Hefang Street, please don't miss those representative time-honored merchants. For example, Wang Xingji Fan Store, Zhang Xiaoquan Scissors Store and Huagaiyuan Silk Store are all cultural symbols of Hangzhou. In these time-honored merchants, you can feel the exquisiteness and ingenuity of traditional crafts. And those exquisite fans, sharp scissors and luxurious silk are the best interpretation of Hangzhou citizens' taste in life and aesthetic taste.
Of course, there are many other scenic spots worth visiting on Hefang Street. For example, Wu Shan Square, located at the intersection of Pinghai, is the starting point of the northern end of Hefang Street. There is a tall and majestic Wu Shan Tianfeng archway in the square, with four stone lions on both sides of the archway, guarding the land with their heads held high. During holidays or major events, grand temple fairs and cultural performances will be held here.
Go south along Hefang Street, and there is an ancient architectural complex called Jiangnan Gongyuan near Jiefang Road. This was once an important place for selecting talents in China feudal society. Jiangnan Gongyuan was founded in the Southern Song Dynasty, with a history of more than 811 years. Nowadays, it has become a museum that displays Chinese traditional culture and attracts a large number of tourists every year.
At the southern end of Hefang Street, there is an ancient building called Caotang. It used to be the former residence of Mr. Hu Shi, a famous writer and dramatist. Many relics and manuscripts of Mr. Hu Shi are displayed in the thatched cottage, which gives people a glimpse of this great man. Next to the thatched cottage, there is also a small bridge named Qingshibanqiao, which straddles Hubin Road and connects the West Lake Scenic Area and Hefang Street.
In addition to rich historical and cultural resources, you can also taste all kinds of delicious food in Hefang Street. For example, Hangzhou specialty snacks, such as Zongzi, egg-filled cakes and stinky tofu, can be found here. Of course, there are tea houses and bars with the characteristics of Jiangnan water town, which provide a good place for tourists to rest and relax.
As night falls, Hefang Street becomes more charming. Those ancient buildings were resplendent with colorful neon lights, as if they had crossed back to the prosperous times thousands of years ago. At the same time, there will be various performing artists in the streets and lanes to show their talents here, such as juggling, face changing, shadow play, etc., which will bring endless joy and surprise to tourists.
In a word, Hefang Street is a charming place integrating history, culture and food. It not only makes people appreciate the happiness of Hangzhou citizens' life, but also witnesses the inheritance of the long history and splendid culture of the Chinese nation. Whether you are visiting for the first time or meeting again, Hefang Street can bring you beautiful and unforgettable memories.