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A renovation project fit to make Marco Polo even more impressed
August 20, 2009, Thursday
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THE Zhongshan Road protection project is nearing completion, and it will reopen to the public as "Royal Street of Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279)" on September 30, adding a new attraction to the list of places of interest in Hangzhou.
"Royal Street" is the name for the Zhongshan Road M. in the Southern Song Dynasty. Lin'an - now Hangzhou -°? was a center of trade and entertainment during that time, and the street was the principle axis of Lin'an, which had lively entertainment quarters, various stores and factories, some of them even preserved to this day.
During the Southern Song Dynasty, the Song royalty retreated south of the Yangtze River and established its new capital at Lin'an. During that time, Hangzhou became a gravitational center of Chinese civilization.
Marco Polo, who supposedly visited Hangzhou in the late 13th century, referred to the city as "beyond dispute the finest and the noblest in the world."
The Zhongshan Road protection project was launched in January 2008.
It spans 4.3 kilometers, covers 87 hectares and contains 13 historical and cultural relics.
In the block, tourists can live in a village inn, have authentic Hangzhou meals or drink Longjing tea in a century-old restaurant and purchase traditional goods or crafts in various shops.
The "Royal Street of Southern Song Dynasty" is divided into four sections, providing different styles, which "can have elderly recall history, youth enjoy fashion, foreigners experience China and Chinese taste the world" as requested by Wang Guoping, Hangzhou Party secretary.
Section A: Zhongshan Road S. (from the crossing of Wansongling Road to Drum Tower)
This part will display the folk custom culture of ancient Hangzhou with shops, teahouses and restaurants.
For example, a folk custom culture pavilion featuring a traditional stage will offer regular performances of Yueju Opera, Hangju Opera and Muju Opera.
Section B: South part of Zhongshan Road M. (from Drum Tower to Xihu Avenue)
This section is a pedestrian street and will be the first block to open to the public. It aims to attract tourists and high-end consumer groups with its rich international features and leisure elements.
Dajing Lane in this section abounds in exotic culture because of its boutiques set up by foreigners, such as an English cafe, a Thai tinware store, Cuban cigar shop, Nepalese artwork store and a Japanese sashimi restaurant.
Section C: Middle part of Zhongshan Road M. (from Xihu Venue to Jiefang Road)
This section reveals the high-quality life in Hangzhou. You will see the Southern Song Court hotel, SPA Commercial Hotel and stores selling wine, cosmetics and jewelry.
Section D: North part of Zhongshan Road M. (from Jiefang Road to Qingchun Road)
The target group of this section is the mass consumer, and especially young people. It offers electronic toys, outdoor products, comics and animation as well as maternity and baby products.
An opening ceremony of "Royal Street" will be held on September 30 at the junction of Zhongshan Road M. and Xihu Avenue.
There will be two hours of performances followed by other festivities from 2pm to 8pm. A lantern riddle game will be played from 6pm to 9pm. After 9pm, it will be party time until the wee hours.
"Royal Street" is the name for the Zhongshan Road M. in the Southern Song Dynasty. Lin'an - now Hangzhou -°? was a center of trade and entertainment during that time, and the street was the principle axis of Lin'an, which had lively entertainment quarters, various stores and factories, some of them even preserved to this day.
During the Southern Song Dynasty, the Song royalty retreated south of the Yangtze River and established its new capital at Lin'an. During that time, Hangzhou became a gravitational center of Chinese civilization.
Marco Polo, who supposedly visited Hangzhou in the late 13th century, referred to the city as "beyond dispute the finest and the noblest in the world."
The Zhongshan Road protection project was launched in January 2008.
It spans 4.3 kilometers, covers 87 hectares and contains 13 historical and cultural relics.
In the block, tourists can live in a village inn, have authentic Hangzhou meals or drink Longjing tea in a century-old restaurant and purchase traditional goods or crafts in various shops.
The "Royal Street of Southern Song Dynasty" is divided into four sections, providing different styles, which "can have elderly recall history, youth enjoy fashion, foreigners experience China and Chinese taste the world" as requested by Wang Guoping, Hangzhou Party secretary.
Section A: Zhongshan Road S. (from the crossing of Wansongling Road to Drum Tower)
This part will display the folk custom culture of ancient Hangzhou with shops, teahouses and restaurants.
For example, a folk custom culture pavilion featuring a traditional stage will offer regular performances of Yueju Opera, Hangju Opera and Muju Opera.
Section B: South part of Zhongshan Road M. (from Drum Tower to Xihu Avenue)
This section is a pedestrian street and will be the first block to open to the public. It aims to attract tourists and high-end consumer groups with its rich international features and leisure elements.
Dajing Lane in this section abounds in exotic culture because of its boutiques set up by foreigners, such as an English cafe, a Thai tinware store, Cuban cigar shop, Nepalese artwork store and a Japanese sashimi restaurant.
Section C: Middle part of Zhongshan Road M. (from Xihu Venue to Jiefang Road)
This section reveals the high-quality life in Hangzhou. You will see the Southern Song Court hotel, SPA Commercial Hotel and stores selling wine, cosmetics and jewelry.
Section D: North part of Zhongshan Road M. (from Jiefang Road to Qingchun Road)
The target group of this section is the mass consumer, and especially young people. It offers electronic toys, outdoor products, comics and animation as well as maternity and baby products.
An opening ceremony of "Royal Street" will be held on September 30 at the junction of Zhongshan Road M. and Xihu Avenue.
There will be two hours of performances followed by other festivities from 2pm to 8pm. A lantern riddle game will be played from 6pm to 9pm. After 9pm, it will be party time until the wee hours.
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