Backing onto Wushan Hill and facing Qianjiang River, the South Section of old Hangzhou Downtown has always been the core area of Hangzhou. For many locals, the South Section of old Hangzhou Downtown is the most traditional and typical area of Hangzhou.

The South Section of old Hangzhou Downtown has been through thousands of years. The most orthodox south section of old Hangzhou downtown is the former Southern Song Imperial City, with a drum tower and few ruins survived, which is now the Shangcheng District.
 
As the most prosperous place in Hangzhou during the Ming and Qing Dynasties and even in the Republic of China, the South Section of old Hangzhou Downtown gathered the most resources, such as the South Xingqiao wharf and Hangzhou Railway Station, all of which have been important traffic facilities. Only when the surrounding areas were developed successively did the Southern Hangzhou gradually weaken its position.

With the Southern Song Imperial Street as the axis, the South Section of old Hangzhou Downtown winds along Wushan hill and moat southward to the South Xingqiao, all the way collecting 23 alleys, Wuliu Lane, Fenghuangshan Lane and other old streets and alleys.

Most of these alleys and lanes were named after the Song Dynasty. Many courtyards in the alleys were built in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the Republic of China or the early days of the People's Republic of China (PRC). These old streets and alleys have witnessed the ups and downs of Hangzhou for hundreds of years.
 
Chayuanqian Alley

Behind the valley was the site of a supervisory institution of the Yuan Dynasty. In the Ming Dynasty, it was the imperial itinerant inspector's office in Zhejiang. It was where the prime minister office of the Song Dynasty seated, and where officials of the Qing Dynasty celebrated festivals. The mottled alleys, in fact, had been prosperous for hundreds of years.

Damanong Alley

Damanong Alley is located in an old residential area of Hangzhou. Many residents have lived here for generations. There are several families living in one courtyard. Although their houses are a little bit crowded, the neighbors are very friendly and intimate. It could be the only street market left in the city.

Chenghuangpailou Alley

Located at the foot of Wushan hill and the former imperial city walls, Chenghuangpailou Alley has been prosperous since the Southern Song Dynasty. It is full of old residential buildings, far away from the hustle and bustle of the city, however, with traces of fireworks in the old town.

Dajing Lane

At the foot of Wushan Hill, the Dajing Lane, separated by a wall at the back of Hefang Street, is very quiet and visited mostly by locals. It doesn't take much time to wander around in the 100m long lane.

Shiwukui Alley

Residents in the Alley during the Ming Dynasty are very good at horse riding and archery. Top ten martial arts scholars (武状元in Chinese) were from this alley. Thus, the alley was called in Chinese “十武魁巷” which later become “十五奎巷” with the same pronunciation but different spellings. Probably only the older generation of Hangzhou locals can tell the origin of Shiwukui Alley.

Wuliu Lane

Wuliu Lane starts in the south to No.3 Doufu Bridge and ends in the north to Daoyuan Lane. It is named after Wuliu Garden built in the Southern Song Dynasty. It was once a residential place for dignitaries and later became a place for common people to live in. With an important location in the ancient city of Hangzhou, Wuliu Lane has numerous buildings and historical relics dating back to the Republic of China.