Hefang Street

» Hangzhou, Zhe Jiang

Hefang Street Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

The original street has been ruined and it recently takes on a completely new look after lager-scale of restoration. Shops selling art crafts, souvenirs, silk, teahouses, and restaurants line on both sides of the street.

Why do visit

Here, walking along Hefang Street, you can enjoy the nice feeling of eating and shopping.

The Snack Street

Hefang Street is otherwise known as the Snack Street for the diverse food it serves. The street clearly concentrates food from all around the country, while at some time highlighting the local flavors.

Enjoy eating here

This place is for street food junkies. People eagerly dart from stall to stall, buying some eats and munching away as they seek out the next interesting thing to try.

Something needs to know

Eating here can be a lot of work though; it's not for the feint of heart. But pushing your way through the crowds and fighting for a seat are part of the dining adventure.
Seating is extremely limited, so it's best to come with at least three people. This way you can engage in what can only be described as tag team dining. Two remain at the table while the third scours the street for goodies, bringing them back to the tribe like a proud little hunter. As she sits down to nosh, the next person is set loose for his turn at trolling. And on it goes until the crew is all full up.

Souvenir Shopping

Lined with small shops, pharmacies, restaurants and teahouses, and food stalls housed in traditional style buildings,you can enjoy a very nice shoppinghere. The compact mid section of the street is pedestrianised and has loads of little shops selling various specialties of Hangzhou.

Where to find the shopping markets

Walking along this street, you can imagine what it must have been like in centuries past, and in the west end (by Zhonghe Zhong Lu, or Middle Zhonghe Rd), you find the food market. To the east end, towards the lake, you will also find Wushan night market, which sells similar trinkets in small stalls.

Small gifts

You can find any touristy trinkets you like here: jade jewellery, pearls, silk, tea, paintings, wood carvings sweets, and toys, almost anything! Good for souvenirs and small gifts.

Some pointers

To have a nicer trip here, you'd better have a look at the following suggestions for Hefeng Street virgins.

Avoid the weekends

First, definitely avoid the weekends (the crowds are unbearable), and try to go around five in the evening to avoid the dinner crowd. When you first get there, stake out your territory. Yeah, it's ok to grab a skewer to munch on while you search, but you really need a spot so that you can go through all of your stuff once collected.

Ready to be charitable

Another thing, and this might turn some people off, there are a lot of hungry men walking around, waiting for people to finish their food so that they can grab the leftovers. If you are feeling charitable, overbuy and leave some good stuff for them.

Attractions around » Hangzhou, Zhe Jiang

Natural Scene

• West Lake
• Mt. Putuoshan
• Lake Qiandaohu
• Feilaifeng Peak
• Solitary Hill
• Red Carp Pond
• Twin Peaks Piercing the Clouds
• Qiantang River
• Hupao Spring
• Grand Canal

Historical Site

• Lingyin Temple
• Ancient Town of Wuzhen
• Liuhe Pagoda
• Hefang Street
• Tomb of General Yue Fei

Cultural Site

• Hangzhou Botanical Garden
• National Tea Museum
• China National Silk Museum
• Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine
• Orchid Pavilion

Day Entertainment & Sports

• Jian Lake Golf Culb

Shopping & Leisure

• Hefang Street

Hefang Street Highlights

Historical Relic in Great China

• Great Wall at Badaling
• Forbidden City
• Potala Palace
• Tian'anmen Square
• Great Wall at Mutianyu
• Great Wall at Juyong Pass
• Chengde Mountain Resort
• Kuimen
• Xi'an City Wall
• Hutong in Beijing
• Kong Family Mansion
• A-Ma Temple
• Dujiangyan Irrigation System
• Jiayu Pass
• Sacred Way
• Kizilgaha Thousand Buddha Cave
• Yumbulagang Palace
• Great Wall at Simatai
• Great Wall at Huangyaguan
• Binglingsi Grottoes
• Weijin Art Gallery
• Mural in Baisha Village
• Mawangdui
• Loulan Ancient City
• Dazu Rock Carvings
• Tangyue Archway
• Ancient City Wall of Pingyao
• Royal Tombs of Western Xia Kingdom
• Prince Gong Mansion
• Former Residence of Rock
• Grand Kuqa Mosque
• Great Wall at Jinshanling
• Liulichang Culture Street
• Shanhai Pass
• Former French Concession
• Shenyang Imperial Palace
• Hefang Street
• Chengyang Bridge
• Mapang Drum Tower
• Ling Canal
• Palgor Chorten
• Wenshuyuan
• Qiao Family's Compound
• Old Summer Palace
• Bell and Drum Tower
• Panjiayuan Collection Market
• Laolongtou
• Puppet Emperor's Palace
• Tiemen Pass
• Mu Family Mansion
• New Palace of Panchen
• Du Fu Cottage
• Nine Dragon Screen
• Imperial College
• Daxu Ancient Town
• Chongqing People's Assembly Hall
• Panmen Gate
• Quanyechang Bazaar
• Presidential Palace
• Strange Slope
• Yulin Grottoes
• Overhanging Great Wall
• Hulishan Fortress
• Niangzi Pass
• Ruins of St. Paul's
• Nanluoguxiang Alley
• Yuhuatai Martyrs' Cemetery
• OX Street Mosque
• Luoyang Bridge
• Site of the Zunyi Meeting
• Terrace of King Yu
• Astana Tombs
• Former Residence of Mao Zedong
• The First National Congress of the Communist Party of China Shanghai Site
• Ancient Culture Street
• Yanmen Pass
• Heptachord Terrace
• Great Wall at Hushan
• February 7 Square
• Pingxing Pass
• Star Ferry
• Monte Fort
• Former Residence of Sun Yat-sen
• Broad and Narrow Alley in Chengdu
• Yongle Palace
• Zhonghua Gate
• Badabu
• Ji'an City
• Chen Family Temple

Shopping Street in Great China

• Wangfujing Walking Street
• Tunxi Ancient Street
• Nanjing Road
• Shopping Heaven on Xujiahui Street
• Barkhor Street
• Foreign Tourist Street
• West Street
• Liulichang Culture Street
• Central Street
• Hefang Street
• Grand Bazaar
• Panjiayuan Collection Market
• Quanyechang Bazaar
• Dongtai Road Antique Market
• Shopping on Fuzhou Road
• Kaili Sunday Market
• Wai Chai
• Moslem Street
• Shiban Street
• Kundu Bar Street
• Lhasa Carpet Factory
• Shuyuanmen Street
• Fishermans Wharf
• Ancient Culture Street
• Pudong New Area
• Yandang Road Bar Street
• Kashgar Bazaar
• Jinli Street
• Tian Xia Shua Du
• Xi'an Antique Market
• Stanley Market
• Binhai Road
• Chunxi Road
• Senado Square
• Nanshi Food Street
• Xintiandi Area
• Wenbaozhai Tourist Shopping Center
• Red Market

Hefang Street FAQ & Travelers's Tips

  Weather

1. Hangzhou's weather and something we need to know

  Food

1. What's the specialty of Hangzhou cuisine?
2. What are some famous restaurants in Hangzhou?

  Shopping

1. What are the best souvenirs in Hangzhou?

  Customs

1. What are some local festivals in Hangzhou?

• Hangzhou's weather and something we need to know

  Hangzhou's weather is always warm and humid, with a clear division of four seasons.

  The peak season usually starts in March and lasts for a month, due to a flower-blooming season, with a temperature of 9 to 15 C.

  From late June to early July, it is the plum rain season. Rainfalls are very unpredictable. Typhoon takes places in the early August with pouring rains, so during this period of time, an umbrella is always needed when you prepare to go out.

  The winter in Hangzhou is just like other cities' in south China, with piercing cold. Warm clothes are strongly suggested.

  If you want to take a walk alongside the West Lake, please wear some warm clothes too, to avoid from getting a clod which will affect your journey.

  Each season in Hangzhou has its own splendid view and specialty, which are all worth visiting.

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• What's the specialty of Hangzhou cuisine?

  Hangzhou cuisine does have it's own characteristics: smells nice, tastes good and looks pleasant. Fresh tastes is the most well-known specialty of Hangzhou cuisine.

  The most famous dishes are Fish Maw with Chinese Broccoli, Dongpo Pork, West Lake Fish in Vinegar Gravy, etc.

  You can not underestimate Hangzhou's snacks. Thousands years of history provides a peculiarity of Hangzhou snacks. Congbaohui, Cat Ears (Do not panic. It's not really cat's ears. It's dough in a cat's ear's shape and is cooked in different ways), Noodles with Preserved Vegetable and Sliced Pork and Bamboo Shoots in Soup, Crisp Cakes, etc.

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• What are some famous restaurants in Hangzhou?

  Louwailou Restaurant

  Built in the 1840s by a Qing Dynasty Noble, Louwailou Restaurant is said to be the oldest restaurant in China. Many foreign heads have dined there when visiting this city.

  The Restaurant features authentic Hangzhou cuisine. Tasty food served including West Lake Carp in Sweet and Sour Sauce, Beggar's Chicken as well as Dragon Well Tea served with snacks.

  Address: No 30 Gushan Road
  Tel: (0571) 8796 9023
  Opening Hours: Open daily 11:30am - 2:30pm and 4:30pm - 8:30pm

  Tianwaitian Restaurant

  This is also a very old restaurant first opened in 1910. its nice location close to the Lingyin Temple, tasty seafood and warm service make the restaurant very popular eating place for tourist.

  Address: No. 2 Tianzhu Road, outside the Peak Flown from Afar Park entrance
  Tel: (0571) 8796 0599
  Opening hours: Open Daily 7am - 9pm
  

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• What are the best souvenirs to best in Hangzhou?

  Silk

  Hangzhou is well known for producing excellent silks, including satins.

  The best place for purchasing silk in Hangzhou is at Hangzhou Silk City, the biggest silk wholesale and retail market in China with more than 600 silk enterprises dealing in a wide variety of pure silk fabrics, garments, handicraft articles, scarves, and ties.

  It is located at No.253 Xinhua Road (at the intersection of Fengqi Road, Tiyuchang Road, and Xinhua Road). You can get to the site by bus No.11 and 28.

  Tea

  Hangzhou Longjing Tea (Dragon Well Tea) is considered China's best. It is not only famous for its unique green color, fragrant aroma, sweet taste, and flat appearance, but is also regarded as a health elixir.

  The tea falls into different grades; the best is the first pick of a year, normally in late March or early April.

  Besides its good quality, Longjing Tea also enjoys a famous long history. If you are interested in tea culture and history, Meijiawu Village in West Lake District is the ideal spot where you can have a cup of tea, watch a tea ceremony, and select tea under professional guidance.

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• What are some local festivals in Hangzhou?

  There are some remarkable festivals in Hangzhou, maybe you will experience one of them if you are lucky enough:
  

  • Dragon Well Tea Festival (April-May)
    The annual Dragon Well Tea Festival, hosted by Dragon Well Village, attracts people from everywhere to take part in activities such as picking tea, drinking tea, enjoying a tea ceremony, and walking in the countryside.
    
    
  • West Lake Lotus Festival (July-August)
    The main activities of this festival include viewing the beautiful lotus, picking lotus seed pods, shelling lotus seed, watching folk drama performances, and visiting the lotus exhibition. The host area is one of the scenic spots of West Lake-Qu Yuan Feng He.
    
    
  • West Lake Osmanthus Festival (September-October)
    Since osmanthus is the city flower of Hangzhou, the government has decreed that each year during September when osmanthus blooms, Hangzhou citizens host the West Lake Osmanthus Festival.
    
    The sites of the celebration are usually in Man Long Gui Yu Park, Man Jue Long Village, and Hangzhou Arboretum. Appreciating osmanthus and the food made of osmanthus, drinking tea, watching shows and painting exhibitions are the main activities during the festival.
    
    
  • China International Qiantang River Tidal Bore Festival (September-the 18th day of the eighth lunar month)
    During this tourist-friendly festival, one of the largest in China, visitors arrive to appreciate the great spectacle of the Qiantang River Bore. The bore is a unique natural phenomenon triggered by the pull of the moon.
    
    When the tides come in, a wave is produced so large that it surges several meters high. Every year this magnificent wonder draws thousands of tourists from all over the world.
    
    
  • West Lake International Fireworks Show (In the middle of October)
    This dazzling event in West Lake draws thousand of viewers to the fireworks site to witness the glittering and colorful skyline. Thousands of new fireworks products from different countries entertain enthusiastic visitors.
  
  
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