Hefang Street and Southern Song Imperial Street are the most vibrant and authentically old-world historical and cultural blocks in Hangzhou. Located in Shangcheng District, at the foot of Wushan Mountain, the two streets intersect and connect closely, forming a pedestrian area that integrates historical relics, folk culture, and commercial leisure. If West Lake represents Hangzhou's "elegance," then this area represents Hangzhou's "life."
Hefang Street：
Century-Old Brands:
Hu Qing Yu Tang: The soul of Hefang Street. Founded by Hu Xueyan, a prominent merchant in the late Qing Dynasty, this national key cultural relics protection unit is not only a pharmacy but also a museum of traditional Chinese medicine. The "Hu Qing Yu Tang National Medicine Store" sign still stands on the high wall. Visitors can experience the antique architecture and the cultural heritage of "honesty and integrity."
Fang Hui Chun Tang: Another famous time-honored brand of traditional Chinese medicine. Experienced doctors are always on duty in the lobby, and you can even see the staff preparing medicine according to ancient prescriptions.
Zhang Xiaoquan Scissors: A famous Hangzhou specialty. The store offers information on the history and craftsmanship of scissor making.
Specialty Snacks: This is a paradise for food lovers. Traditional Hangzhou snacks such as Ding Sheng Gao (a type of steamed cake), Cong Bao Hui (scallion pancake), Long Xu Tang (dragon beard candy), Beggar's Chicken, and West Lake Lotus Root Starch are readily available, allowing you to sample them as you stroll along.
Folk Handicrafts: The street is filled with shops where handicrafts are made on-site, such as sugar blowing, dough sculpting, and sugar painting, as well as shops selling various exquisite trinkets, creating a charming and nostalgic atmosphere.
Specialty Museums: In addition to the Hu Qing Yu Tang Traditional Chinese Medicine Museum, the street also features smaller museums such as the Guanfu Classical Art Museum and the Hangzhou History Museum, allowing you to learn as you stroll.
Southern Song Imperial Street：
Millennia-Old Road Relics: Under glass enclosures along the street, layers of road remains from different eras—from the Southern Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties to the Republic of China—are clearly visible, creating a three-dimensional history of Hangzhou's urban development.
Diverse Architectural Styles: Unlike the purely Ming and Qing style of Hefang Street, the Southern Song Imperial Street boasts a diverse range of architectural styles. Here you'll find banks, shops, and residences built during the Republic of China period (such as the Phoenix Temple and the former site of the Zhejiang Industrial Bank), featuring both traditional Chinese wooden structures and Western-style buildings, making it a veritable "museum of modern architecture."
Water System: The renovated Imperial Street incorporates winding waterways, their flowing water adding a touch of dynamism to the ancient street. Strolling along it at night, illuminated by lights, is a truly pleasant experience.
Drum Tower: Located at the southern end of Imperial Street, it is an important landmark. Climbing the Drum Tower offers panoramic views of the surrounding old city.
Phoenix Temple: Located at the intersection of Zhongshan Middle Road and West Lake Avenue, it is one of the four famous ancient mosques along my country's coast, featuring a unique Arabic architectural style.
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Voltage and socket
The standard voltage in China is 220V. The commonly used socket shape is as shown in the picture. Most luxury hotel rooms are equipped with universal sockets, and tourists can also rent socket adapters at the hotel front desk.
Make a phone call
When a foreign mobile phone dials a Chinese fixed-line phone in China, it is necessary to dial the China area code (+86) and the city area code (e.g. Beijing +10) before the fixed-line phone number to be dialed.
When a foreign mobile phone dials a Chinese mobile number, it is necessary to dial the Chinese area code (+86) before the mobile number of the person being called.
Emergency call:
Call the police: 110
Fire emergency: 119
Traffic police: 122
Emergency: 120
Purchase a SIM card for a Chinese mobile phone
At major airports serving as ports of entry in China, there are designated counters for communication service providers, such as China Mobile and China Unicom. Foreign tourists can purchase SIM cards for Chinese mobile phones simply by presenting their passports.
Traffic safety tips
In China, all vehicles drive on the right side of the road, and both drivers and passengers must wear seat belts.
Health and medical tips
It is recommended to bring along commonly used medications (such as painkillers or gastrointestinal medications). If you need to take prescribed medication for an extended period, it is advisable to prepare sufficient quantities before departure and carry along doctor's certification documents, medical records, etc.
It is recommended to visit the international medical department of a general hospital or a foreign-funded hospital for treatment, as they generally provide medical services in English.
It is recommended to purchase relevant insurance before departure, and properly keep diagnosis certificates, outpatient medical records, fee lists, prescriptions, invoices, etc.
Cultural taboo
China is a multi-ethnic country, and there are significant differences in customs and habits among various ethnic groups. Especially when traveling in ethnic minority areas, it is important to pay attention to cultural taboos, such as taking off shoes when entering a Dai bamboo house, avoiding pork in Hui restaurants, and treating Buddhist statues, scriptures, and beads as sacred objects that must not be touched. It is recommended to listen carefully to the pre-trip introduction provided by the accompanying personnel and respect local culture and customs.
