Hefang Street 河坊街

About Hefang Street

Traditional medicine businesses, food shops and craft stores give the street its particular character. Hu Qing Yu Tang, founded by the merchant Hu Xueyan, is an especially useful anchor because its pharmacy buildings and medicine museum offer more context than browsing alone. The whole road extends farther than the visitor-focused historic section, so aim for Qinghefang when planning the visit.

Together with Zhongshan Middle Road (中山中路), the Southern Song dynasty's Imperial Street, Hefang Street was known as the 'four corners' (四拐角), and the two roads formed Hangzhou's most important commercial district from the Song dynasty to the early Republican period. The Qinghefang historic block (清河坊历史街区) that the street passes through is now a national AAAA-level scenic and tourist area (国家AAAA级风景旅游区).

The street runs east from Jiangcheng Road (江城路) to Liulang Wenying (柳浪闻莺) on Nanshan Road in the west, at the foot of Wu Hill (吴山), with its characteristic, visitor-oriented section lying between Zhonghe Middle Road and Yan'an South Road. More than a hundred long-established shops selling local snacks, antiques and calligraphy line the street, offering a historical microcosm of Hangzhou.

What to look for

• Traditional shopfronts and medicine businesses in the Qinghefang section.
• Hu Qing Yu Tang’s historic pharmacy complex beside the street.

Location & getting there

Getting to Hefang Street

Approach from Wushan Square at the western end of the historic shopping section, or from the Middle Zhongshan Road crossing. The visitor-focused stretch lies between South Yan’an Road and Middle Zhonghe Road.