Hefang Street Hangzhou (河坊街): Historic Street Guide
Updated: Aug 27
If you're exploring the old part of Hangzhou, Hefang Street (河坊街) is definitely worth walking through.
Compared with nearby Nan Song Yu Jie (南宋御街), Hefang Street feels much more lively and touristy.
Think:
street food
traditional snacks
souvenirs
tea shops
Chinese medicine stores
handicrafts
and rows of traditional-style buildings packed with people.
I’d recommend visiting Hefang Street and Nan Song Yu Jie together since they're basically part of the same historic area.
What Is Hefang Street?
Hefang Street sits inside the historic Qinghefang (清河坊) district near Wushan Mountain.
This area was already an important commercial and residential centre during the Southern Song Dynasty, when Hangzhou was the imperial capital known as Lin'an.
It remained one of Hangzhou's busiest commercial areas through later dynasties as well. Today, the restored historic district preserves traditional businesses, pharmacies, restaurants and architecture associated with old Hangzhou.
So while Hefang Street today is definitely built for visitors too, there's real history underneath all the shops and food stalls.
What Is Hefang Street Like Today?
It feels like an aesthetic street where it's lively and busy. Yet you can still find places where it's less crowded and take beautiful pictures here.
You'll find people walking everywhere, food being cooked along the street and shops packed closely together.
We came in April so it's around spring time, so the shops were covered with these beautiful flowers that makes a great picture!
I'd describe it as:
historic Hangzhou + shopping street + street-food destination
rather than somewhere you come specifically to see one landmark.
What to Eat at Hefang Street
This is probably one of the main reasons to come.
You'll find all kinds of snacks and food while walking around.
My approach at places like this is always:
don't buy everything immediately.
Walk through first.
See what looks interesting.
Then come back. 😂
There are plenty of shops and stalls, so you'll probably find something else five minutes later that looks even better.
Hefang Street has historically been known as one of Hangzhou's commercial centres, and the area today continues to concentrate local snacks, shops and restaurants.
Look for Hangzhou's Traditional Shops
One thing I wouldn't ignore is the old Hangzhou businesses around Qinghefang.
The district is home to several long-established local brands, including names associated with:
traditional Chinese medicine
scissors
fans
tea
and other Hangzhou products.
One of the most famous is:
Hu Qing Yu Tang 胡庆余堂
This historic Chinese medicine pharmacy is one of the major landmarks around the Qinghefang area.
The wider district also includes traditional brands such as Zhang Xiaoquan scissors and Wangxingji fans.
Even if you're not buying anything, these shops make Hefang Street more interesting than a normal souvenir street.
Hefang Street vs Nan Song Yu Jie
If you're wondering which one to visit:
Do both.
They're right beside each other and feel different enough.
Nan Song Yu Jie 南宋御街
More about:
history + architecture + cafés + walking
Hefang Street 河坊街
More about:
food + shops + souvenirs + crowds
They form two of the main axes of Hangzhou's old historic district, which preserves some of the city's best remaining late-Qing and early-Republic-era streetscapes.
How Long Should You Spend Here?
I'd give yourself around:
1–2 hours for Hefang Street alone
or:
2–3 hours for Hefang Street + Nan Song Yu Jie
You could easily spend longer if you like shopping or stopping for food.
But I wouldn't rush through trying to see every shop.
Just walk.
Eat.
Look around.
That's basically the point.
Is Hefang Street Worth Visiting?
Yes, but know what you're coming for.
If you only have one day in Hangzhou, I would prioritise:
West Lake
Lingyin Temple
before Hefang Street.
Those are much more essential Hangzhou experiences.
But if you're staying two or three days, Hefang Street is a very easy addition.
It gives you:
historic architecture
food
shopping
and another side of Hangzhou beyond temples and lakes.
And because Nan Song Yu Jie is right nearby, you can cover both in the same trip.
We actually stopped by before catching the HSR to our next destination, Suzhou.
How I'd Fit It Into a Hangzhou Itinerary
Nan Song Yu Jie
↓
walk towards Qinghefang
↓
Hefang Street
↓
eat / shop / explore
↓
Drum Tower
There's quite a lot you can do around central Hangzhou without needing another full sightseeing day.
Planning a Hangzhou Trip?
Continue exploring:
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