Hefang Street — Ancient Hangzhou

With brilliant culture and long history, Hefang Street (河坊街) is regarded as a typical symbol of ancient Hangzhou. This pedestrian-only lane is lined with traditional Chinese architecture housing time-honored stores: pharmacies (Hu Qing Yu Tang, established 1874, is the most famous), tea houses, silk shops, calligraphy studios, and street food stalls. You can see many century-old brands still operating here. It's touristy but genuinely atmospheric — especially in the evening when lanterns light up and the crowds thin. Try the local snacks: Dingsheng cake, scallion pancakes, and West Lake lotus root starch.