Qinghefang Historical Street

After Hangzhou became the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty, it formed a special layout of "the imperial court in the front and markets at the back" and "imperial palaces in the south and markets in the north" and Qinghefang was the site of "markets at the back" where restaurants and tea houses were row upon row, and business was prosperous. Hefang Street (Qinghefang) has not only witnessed the thousand years of changes in Hangzhou, but also retained the cultural memories of the old generations. A stroll through the street, especially on a light-illuminated night, brings you suddenly back to the scenes of prosperity at the foot of the old imperial city.

The Southern Song Imperial Street, which intersects with Hefang Street, is located on the central axis of Lin'an City, the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty, and was a special road used by emperors on their way to the Jingling Palace to pay homage to their ancestors. This "Ten-li Sky Street" is not only home to the political center of the imperial court, but also the daily life of common people. The restored Imperial Street features an old-fashioned charm, paved entirely in blue bricks and featuring gurgling water and old-fashioned signs on both sides... Here, old-fashioned charm and modern style are interwoven.

[Goulan Washe]

Washe refers to entertainment venues in major cities during the Song Dynasty that offered performances such as opera, acrobatics, singing and dancing. Goulan is a purpose-built performance venue in Washe. There are more than 20 goulan in and around Lin'an, such as Beiwa at the Zhong'an Bridge, Mishiqiaowa below the Mishi Bridge, and Houchaomenwa outside the Houchao Gate. The largest of these is Beiwa at the northern end of Imperial Street.