Eat Well on Royal Streets

In its historical heyday, upwards of 50,000 people flocked to Qinghefang (also known as Hefang Street) for its daily delicacies, handicrafts, silk, glass, porcelain, and jewels. Qinghefang has been the busiest market place in town from as early as Southern Song Dynasty. It was located on the west of the Southern Song Imperial Street, at the foot of Wushan Hill and outside the walls of the imperial city, today, those streets are just as (ifnot more）vibrant.Along with a healthy dose of shopping，you can find the finest in street food for the market dining experience.

“Everywhere you turn，there are tea houses，wine stores，noodle shops，stalls forsnacks，colorful silk，scented candles，condiments，grain，fish，and meat，fresh and preserved，”Wu Zimu wrote of the markets in Lin’an during the 13th century in Mengliang Lu，ADream of Millet）.

On the Southern Song Imperial Street，history lovers are treated to a glass-encased，protected area of the original road.Whether day or night，visitors can expect a great deal of excitement on these streets-and not just from the pedestrians.When not basking in the scent of brewing tea or taking in the trinkets，Hefang and the streets nearby contain warrens of wonderful eateries that will take you back to the dawn of the Southern Song.On Gaoyin Street，parallel to Hefang Street，any traditional Hangzhou and Chinese food can be had-from fish braised in vinegar to shrimp fried in Longjing tea leaves.If you can’t find something to eat on Hefang，you won’t find it anywhere else.

qingquang

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