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December 31, 2014

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Home » City specials » Hangzhou

Great brands that survive the test of time

By Wu Huixin | December 31, 2014, Wednesday | Print Edition

MOST cities in China boast time-honored brands. Such brands are popular with tourists, who like to buy the products as gifts for family or friends Hangzhou is no exception. Zhang Xiaoquan scissors and Wang Xingji fans are among the city’s time-honored brands.

Some of the companies selling these products have experienced some bumps through history, including during the “cultural revolution” (1966-76). Even now, modernization and leaps in technology have put some of these companies in trouble. Yet whatever happens in the future, no one can deny theses brands once boomed and are a part of the city’s history.

Shanghai Daily looks at six Hangzhou time-honored brands — three today and the others next Wednesday. They still enjoy great fame across the city.

Zhang Tong Tai Pharmacy

If the subject of traditional Chinese medicine pharmacies comes up in Hangzhou, most residents think first of Qing Yu Tang, which was established in 1874 by Hu Xueyan, a famous official and herb merchant.

However, Zhang Tong Tai is famous around the country as the pharmacy has adhered to its own TCM principles since it was established by Zhang Mei in 1805.

Its TCM health care clinic is still packed with patients most days. It has 60 national-level or provincial-level TCM physicians, thus making an appointment in advance is recommended.

Stepping into the pharmacy, customers are hit by a strong smell of herbs. The ceramic implements for grinding herbs are antiques handed down from generation to generation and still very much in use. Prescriptions are obtained from the medicine preparation hall, where visitors can watch employees make pills and other medicines.

 

Address: 99 Zhongshan Road N.

Tel: 0571-8707-0097

Jing Yang Guan Pickles Store

Dubbed one of the four renowned pickled vegetable stores across the country, Jing Yang Guan's products were given as tributes to members of the imperial court during the late Qing Dynasty.

Dating back to the early 1900s, a Zhuji, Zhejiang Province native named Shou Daqing established Jing Yang Guan in Hangzhou and began to sell his homemade pickles.

With the help of a Hangzhou official who took Shou’s pickled vegetables to Beijing, Jing Yang Guan soon became popular among imperial officials, which in return made the brand famous in Hangzhou.

The store closed during the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1937-1945). It remained nothing but a sweet memory until 2002, when Hefang Street was revamped and the government reopened Jing Yang Guan.

The store is now in a protected historic building and long queues are common. Pickled cucumbers, dried vegetables, fermented soya beans and other preserved vegetables provide customers with a taste of old Hangzhou.

 

Address: Intersection of Zhongshan Road N. and Hefang St

Tel: 0571-88964987

Kong Fengchun Cosmetics Store

A century ago, Kong Fengchun compared to what Coco Chanel is to women today. In its prime, this brand was considered the height of luxury and fashionable women wouldn’t use any other cosmetics.

Kong Fengchun was founded in 1862 by Hangzhou native Kong Chuanhong. During the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), its face powder was given as a tribute to the royal family, where it found favor with Empress Dowager Cixi.

In 1929 when the city hosted the inaugural West Lake Expo, Kong Fengchun showcased eight of its products, all of which won prizes.

Through the years the brand switched strategies to offer high-quality cosmetics that were more affordable. Kong Fengchun’s products are considered one of the city’s top five specialties along with silk and brocade.

 

Address: No. 25, Dajing Lane

Hangzhou


 

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