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City’s rich history comes alive in place names
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LIKE other places in China, many roads, bridges and communities in Hangzhou bear the names of historic events and personages with connections to the city.
Though the deeds and the figures of old may have become obscured by history, a host of public place names continue to stand in testament to the glories and tragedies of the past. Today, Shanghai Daily takes a look at the stories behind the names of four places.
Anle Bridge and Doufu Bridges
When the Southern Song Dynasty took Hangzhou as its capital, imperial princes began to build palaces across the city. Among them, Prince Anle constructed his house alongside the Zhongdong River, near the present-day Hangzhou Railway Station.
At the time, locals crossed the river by ferry. But with most boats filled with construction materials to build Anle’s palace, inconvenienced locals began singing ballads satirizing the young royal.
Shamed by such mockery, Anle built a bridge across the river in an effort to reclaim his lost prestige.
In an attempt to steal Anle’s thunder, Chancellor Qin Hui rushed to build three bridges of his own across the river. Many shunned these bridges though because of Qin’s exorbitant tax levies — as well as his abuse of workers and his execution of well-loved general Yue Fei.
Locals named Qin’s bridges the Doufu Bridges — or the “Comparing Wealth” Bridges.
Huimin Road
The name of this road derives from an episode involving Su Dongpo (1037-1101), the famed writer, artist, pharmacologist, gastronome and statesmen who lived during the Song Dynasty (960–1279).
During a period when Su was serving as mayor of Hangzhou, the city was suffering from both a plague and crop failure. To take advantage of the situation, a local man surnamed Jin opened a pharmacy which sold medicine on credit — albeit at high interest rates that left many poor. What’s more, Jin’s medicines seemed to have little effect against the disease ravaging the city.
To help the sick, Su and his wife opened a pharmacy of their own named Huimin — or “Benefit the People” — right next to Jin’s. With the help of a doctor friend, Su developed remedies which he provided free of charge to local citizens.
Later, when Jin himself was infected with the plague he had no choice but to seek treatment from Su. In exchange for Su’s medicine, Jin had to pay 100 liang (5 kilograms) of silver and burn all the notes of all his debtors.
In honor of this kind-hearted mayor, locals named the road after his pharmacy.
Today, the road is famous for its milk tea and dessert shops.
Yuanbao Street
Yuanbao Street is Hangzhou’s last preserved stone slab road. Though narrow and short compared with nearby avenues, it was the city’s main thoroughfare in ancient times.
In Chinese, yuanbao refers to the shoe-shaped silver ingots which once served as currency in the country.
In the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), a tailor and his beautiful wife lived on the street. A rich bully who lived in the area had lascivious desires on the wife and frequently threatened the couple.
To protect her husband, the woman promised to marry the trouble-maker but ordered him first leave a pile of yuanbao on the street for him. The tailor took the money and fled to another city. Sadly, the woman committed suicide after remarrying the bully.
In honor of this tragedy, the street was renamed Yuanbao Street. Today, this narrow lane is hidden between residential buildings and Hu Xueyan’s former residence, secluded from the bustling downtown area.
Jiang Village
In the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), a wealthy family named Jiang resided in present-day Xixi Wetlands. Three Jiang brothers — Jiang Chongren, Jiang Chongxin and Jiang Chongyi — made names for themselves by aiding the poor and distributing money to those in need.
One year, when a drought cut into Hangzhou’s grain harvest, the Jiang brothers stepped forward to distribute rice from their own stores to famine victims. Their generosity is said to have saved numerous locals from starvation.
Later, when the region was under attack by brigands, the brothers helped organize an armed resistance which repelled the invaders.
In honor of these and other magnanimous acts, the royal court named the wetlands Jiang Village. Although the area was later renamed the Xixi Wetlands, a nearby resident block still bears the Jiang Village name. Three streets near the wetlands also bear the names of the famed brothers.
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