Qinghefang Old Street (Hefang Street)

Qinghefang Old Street, also called Hefang Street, runs for roughly 460 meters through Shangcheng District in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, lined with wood-fronted buildings rebuilt in Southern Song Dynasty style. The street sells a mix of Hangzhou specialty goods and general tourist souvenirs: authentic vendors include the centuries-old Zhang Xiaoquan scissors and knife shop, Wang Xingji fan makers, and Hu Qingyu Tang, a working apothecary founded in 1874 that still dispenses traditional Chinese medicine from carved wooden counters. Alongside these heritage retailers are stalls selling mass-produced silk scarves, plastic trinkets, and generic Chinese souvenirs aimed squarely at day-trippers, so quality varies block by block; the heritage shops near the Hu Qingyu Tang end tend to carry genuine local craftsmanship, while stalls closer to the Zhongshan Road intersection lean toward cheaper novelty items. Prices at fixed-front shops are generally marked and non-negotiable, though street stalls and independent vendors often expect light bargaining, especially for handicrafts and clothing. Cash remains widely used by older stallholders, but Alipay and WeChat Pay are accepted almost everywhere, including small kiosks; foreign tourists without a Chinese payment app should carry cash as a backup. The street is pedestrian-only and gets very crowded on weekends and national holidays, with foot traffic slowing to a shuffle at the central intersection. Food options are abundant, from Hangzhou classics like beggar's chicken and West Lake fish to fried snacks and Zhang's spiced beef sold from open stalls; the corner near the Wang Xingji fan shop and the eastern gate near Zhongshan Zhong Road are considered the must-visit sections for genuine crafts and food, respectively.