Southern Song Imperial Street
Zhejiang · China
End your private tour with a drive back to your Hangzhou downtown hotel or the Hangzhou Train station.
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Southern Song Imperial Street
Welcome to the Southern Song Imperial Street, a place where the echoes of eight centuries of history resonate beneath your feet. In the 13th century, this was the central axis of Lin'an, the magnificent capital of the Southern…
Listen in the app2The Political Heart: Wangsong to the Drum Tower
Our journey begins at the southern end of the street, the section that was once the political heart of Lin'an. This area, stretching from Wangsong to the Drum Tower, was closest to the Imperial Palace and the central authorities…
Listen in the app3The Drum Tower: Guardian of Time
Standing as a majestic sentinel between the political and commercial sections of the street is the Drum Tower. Historically, towers like this were the heartbeat of a Chinese city, used to signal the passage of time and mark the…
Listen in the app4The Middle Section: Commerce and Daily Life
Beyond the Drum Tower lies the middle section of the street, which historically served as the commercial center for daily goods. This was the 'shopping mall' of the 13th century, where the middle class of Lin'an would come to…
Listen in the app5Qinghefang: The Living Snapshot
Just a short stroll from the main axis is the Qinghefang Old Street, the best-preserved historical part of Hangzhou. While technically a separate area, it is culturally inseparable from the Imperial Street experience. …
Listen in the app6The Northern Section: Intangible Heritage
The northernmost section of the Imperial Street, running from Hueming Road to Westlake Avenue, is designated as a 'paradise for intangible heritages'. This area focuses on the preservation of traditional skills and 'time-honored…
Listen in the app7Baewa: The Echoes of Performance
Historically, the area near the intersection of Wuling Road was known as 'Baewa,' which was the largest entertainment center in the Song capital. On any given day, thousands of people would flock here to witness a spectacular…
Listen in the app8Closing
Our exploration of the Southern Song Imperial Street concludes here, but the stories it tells are far from finished. This street is more than a historical monument; it is a living artery that continues to pump the lifeblood of…
Listen in the app
What is Southern Song Imperial Street?
Southern Song Imperial Street is a place in Zhejiang · China with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Zhejiang · China |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 30.2445, 120.1570 |
| Last updated |
