The historic Hefang Old Street is located at the foot of the scenic Wushan Hill in southern Hangzhou and quite close to the famous West Lake. It is a best preserved cultural and hisoric area of ancient Hangzhou, it's a epitome of the city's history.
Hangzhou was China's capital during the Southern Song Dynasty 800 years ago, and Hangzhou's urban Hefang Street has many shops, restaurants and bars that represent its place in history. Hefang Street has stood the test of time, surviving through the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. Today it is still a prosperous marketplace. Most of the businesses and shops in Hefang Street are over 100 years old. Hefang Street was not only the heart of old Hangzhou but also the commercial center in ancient China.
Walking along Hefang Street, you can enjoy shopping and snacking. Known also as the Snack Street for the diverse food it served, Hefang Street clearly concentrates on cuisine from all around the country, while simultaneously highlighting local flavors. This place is for street food junkies. People eagerly dart from stall to stall, buying some great snacks and treats and munching away as they seek out the next interesting flavors with which to indulge their palates.
Hefang Old Street also displays a variety of unique Chinese crafts, such as land-blown sugar candy, paper-cutting, and hand-made dough figurines. You'll also find a large variety of local snacks, such as roasted walnuts and "dragon-whisker" candy. The street is full of art pedlars, candy sculptors, pillow shops, caricaturists, old-fashioned movie players, storytellers, bonsai shops, teahouses, and an array of small restaurants, making Hefang Street come alive with charm and whimsy.
