General Road in the Torrent of History

Walking into General Road is like traveling through time and returning to that heroic and legendary era. The architectural style here is unique, displaying both the graceful beauty of the Jiangnan water towns and the majestic presence of the general's mansion. It is located near the West Lake, surrounded by lush green trees and the chirping of birds. The old buildings lining the street resemble thick history books, recording the vicissitudes of history and the passage of time.

General Road stretches from Huansha Road in the east to Yan'an South Road in the west, with a total length of 527 meters. There are many wooden structures and historical buildings here that bear the mark of old Hangzhou, among which Sishuifang and Qiafengli are the most famous.

Sishuifang, located at the eastern end of General Road, was built in the 1930s. In the Southern Song Dynasty, this area was called "Shi Shui Fang," hence the name. Today, Sishuifang has regained its historical and cultural characteristics with its "new clothes," featuring red walls, black tiles, wooden doors and windows, and neatly organized storefronts along the street.

As for Qiafengli, it is characterized by its exterior of bluestone bricks, with red brick stripes decorating the window frames, window caps, and window sills, complemented by iron window grilles. It is said that these buildings were constructed in 1925 and were originally inhabited by white-collar workers. Several decades have passed, but these buildings still stand quietly. Compared to the bustling West Lake just a hundred meters away, they maintain a style of tranquility and detachment from the world.

Time passes, and everything is subject to change. However, amid the ever-changing world, some things remain constant, enduring the test of time, let alone the countless historical facts that have permeated every corner of General Road.