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More tales from the riverbank
By Xu Wenwen |
October 22, 2012, Monday
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XIAOHEZHI Street block is a typical watertown block that features a mixture of restaurants and teahouses nestled in two-story black-and-white houses. Shanghai Daily last year recommended some of its restaurants, but Xiaohezhi Street can boast many attractions - both eateries and other businesses.
Since the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907), the confluence of the Grand Canal, Yuhangtang River and Xiaohe River has traditionally been a neighborhood of vendors, stevedores and boatmen, and still maintains that folk atmosphere.
Renovations that ended in 2009 gave the area a facelift, and many residents have opened small teahouses, noodle shops or mahjong rooms in their homes.
With simple signs hanging at gates, they welcome visitors keen to experience authentic folk culture.
A diversity of other businesses - everything from a bikers' coffee bar to a tai chi studio - have settled at riverside. Here are four.
Star Nest MicroFilm Studio
If the prospect of having your picture taken in a photographic studio sounds a bit too mundane, how about having a short film made instead?
This idea inspired a group of young people to set up their own "micro film studio" this year. The studio offers customers tailor-made movies of between three and eight minutes long. Popular options - especially among children - include "time travel" mini-epics where the stars pretend they are the heroes and heroines who go back to old dynasties.
The studio has many costumes for different ages and of different dynasties, plus props. Mini-movies are shot in Xiaohezhi Street, along the Grand Canal or around the West Lake.
Filmmakers will also visit homes to make movies of babies and young children with their families.
Address: 149-10 Hushu Road N.
Tel: (0571) 8827-6985
Rouzhiyi Tai Chi Club
This is one of the few indoor tai chi schools - more typically tai chi lessons take place in parks.
Established for six years, the club now has more than 100 members and is a gathering place for local tai chi fans to meet and learn.
The club has six instructors and teaches both Chen School and Yang School - the two most widely spread tai chi schools in the world. Also it teaches tuishou, a combat form of tai chi.
General manager Jin Hui is planning to make part of the club into "a living museum," which would feature tai chi masters giving free lectures and demonstrations.
The health benefits of tai chi are well known. One student tells Shanghai Daily that he has lost 15 kilograms in weight since starting training; another who used to suffer from severe neck problems no longer needs to see a doctor.
Other tai chi enthusiasts at Rouzhiyi say they are better able to handle stress and that their temperament is more even.
Address: No. 30 Donghexia, Xiaohezhi Street block
Tel: (0571) 8896-6193
Onyi Digital Studio
From the outside - and indeed the interior decor - people may think Onyi Digital Studio is a small gallery, but (though it is indeed set to open gallery space) it's a studio that provides services for digital photography and related businesses.
A large "painting" of flowers hangs on the wall, with strong colors and the apparent raised texture of oil paint. Yet it was created by an ink-jet printer, a copy of an artwork. Reproducing artworks is one service offered by the studio. On another wall, framed photographs with digital special effect are on display.
Next month, the studio is to turn its second floor into a small gallery to showcase photography and paintings.
Address: 1-11 Xiaohezhi Street
Tel: 400-6600-616
Macro Coffee
Earlier this month the Xiaohezhi Street block unveiled its second phase at Xiaohe Road, including several new restaurants. Among them is Macro Coffee, which has quickly become a rendezvous for motorcycle enthusiasts, as well as other visitors.
The cafe provides standard fare, including coffee, tea, wine and main courses, but its attraction for local motorbike fans is mostly down to the fact that general manager Pu Jun is president of Hangzhou Winner Motorbike Club - the largest motorcycle club in the city.
Fittingly, motorbike magazines lie around for customers to read, while biker movies are sometimes screened. This month, the motorcycle club held its 10th anniversary bash at Macro Coffee.
The cafe is well-lit by a dozen of French windows, and it also features a backyard facing to river, with barbecue grills, plus swings for little ones.
Address: 50 Xiaohe Road
Tel: 138-5717-0800
Since the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907), the confluence of the Grand Canal, Yuhangtang River and Xiaohe River has traditionally been a neighborhood of vendors, stevedores and boatmen, and still maintains that folk atmosphere.
Renovations that ended in 2009 gave the area a facelift, and many residents have opened small teahouses, noodle shops or mahjong rooms in their homes.
With simple signs hanging at gates, they welcome visitors keen to experience authentic folk culture.
A diversity of other businesses - everything from a bikers' coffee bar to a tai chi studio - have settled at riverside. Here are four.
Star Nest MicroFilm Studio
If the prospect of having your picture taken in a photographic studio sounds a bit too mundane, how about having a short film made instead?
This idea inspired a group of young people to set up their own "micro film studio" this year. The studio offers customers tailor-made movies of between three and eight minutes long. Popular options - especially among children - include "time travel" mini-epics where the stars pretend they are the heroes and heroines who go back to old dynasties.
The studio has many costumes for different ages and of different dynasties, plus props. Mini-movies are shot in Xiaohezhi Street, along the Grand Canal or around the West Lake.
Filmmakers will also visit homes to make movies of babies and young children with their families.
Address: 149-10 Hushu Road N.
Tel: (0571) 8827-6985
Rouzhiyi Tai Chi Club
This is one of the few indoor tai chi schools - more typically tai chi lessons take place in parks.
Established for six years, the club now has more than 100 members and is a gathering place for local tai chi fans to meet and learn.
The club has six instructors and teaches both Chen School and Yang School - the two most widely spread tai chi schools in the world. Also it teaches tuishou, a combat form of tai chi.
General manager Jin Hui is planning to make part of the club into "a living museum," which would feature tai chi masters giving free lectures and demonstrations.
The health benefits of tai chi are well known. One student tells Shanghai Daily that he has lost 15 kilograms in weight since starting training; another who used to suffer from severe neck problems no longer needs to see a doctor.
Other tai chi enthusiasts at Rouzhiyi say they are better able to handle stress and that their temperament is more even.
Address: No. 30 Donghexia, Xiaohezhi Street block
Tel: (0571) 8896-6193
Onyi Digital Studio
From the outside - and indeed the interior decor - people may think Onyi Digital Studio is a small gallery, but (though it is indeed set to open gallery space) it's a studio that provides services for digital photography and related businesses.
A large "painting" of flowers hangs on the wall, with strong colors and the apparent raised texture of oil paint. Yet it was created by an ink-jet printer, a copy of an artwork. Reproducing artworks is one service offered by the studio. On another wall, framed photographs with digital special effect are on display.
Next month, the studio is to turn its second floor into a small gallery to showcase photography and paintings.
Address: 1-11 Xiaohezhi Street
Tel: 400-6600-616
Macro Coffee
Earlier this month the Xiaohezhi Street block unveiled its second phase at Xiaohe Road, including several new restaurants. Among them is Macro Coffee, which has quickly become a rendezvous for motorcycle enthusiasts, as well as other visitors.
The cafe provides standard fare, including coffee, tea, wine and main courses, but its attraction for local motorbike fans is mostly down to the fact that general manager Pu Jun is president of Hangzhou Winner Motorbike Club - the largest motorcycle club in the city.
Fittingly, motorbike magazines lie around for customers to read, while biker movies are sometimes screened. This month, the motorcycle club held its 10th anniversary bash at Macro Coffee.
The cafe is well-lit by a dozen of French windows, and it also features a backyard facing to river, with barbecue grills, plus swings for little ones.
Address: 50 Xiaohe Road
Tel: 138-5717-0800
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