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January 15, 2014

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Home » City specials » Hangzhou

Road to college zone features cheap eats, good buys

By Wu Huixin | January 15, 2014, Wednesday | Print Edition

Liuhe Road leads to Hangzhou Xiaoheshan Higher Education Zone, the location for Zhejiang University of Technology, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology and other educational institutions.

The road is flanked by elevations called the Xiaohe Hills and there are plenty of trees along the way. Though the education zone is situated far from downtown, thousands of college students go to classes there and create business for shopkeepers. Establishments offering milk tea, desserts, food and laundry services dot the road.

While many students are heading home to enjoy their Spring Festival holiday, making Liuhe Road quieter than normal, the stores show how bustling it is when students are around.

Shanghai Daily walked along Liuhe Road during a quiet time last weekend to discover three attractive places suitable for gatherings, chilling out and shopping.

Mr Gu’s Cafe

The owner, surnamed Gu, graduated from Zhejiang University of Science and Technology. His business is across from a side entrance to the university that he loves.

He decorated the cafe into a cozy, vintage style with lovely knickknacks and a crystal chandelier. The second floor’s decor is original — photos are strung together with string and suspended from the ceiling, making visitors feel like they are entering an upside down “photo forest.” The sofa and tables are made with floral canvas, presenting a pastoral feeling.

The highlight of the cafe is the wide variety of cocktails concocted by Gu, like Sky City, Van Gogh’s Starry Night, Bomber and Firing Lamborghini. The wine, coffee, dessert, breads and steak served here are made of imported ingredients. However, Gu keeps his prices reasonable to draw students.

Address: 502-26, Han Mo Xiang Lin Residential Block, Liuhe Rd

Tel: 158-6802-7655

Zhi Wei Guan

The restaurant proudly claims a history of 100 years, featuring authentic local dishes and some southern China specialties including xiaolongbao (small steamed buns stuffed with pork), wonton soup, an award-winning dish called zuiji (chicken preserved in alcohol in a small jar), cat’s ear (a classic snack made of glutinous rice), lotus roots with sweet glutinous rice and many others.

Zhi Wei Guan can be translated as, “If you want to know (zhi means know in Chinese) my restaurant’s flavor (wei), just see (guan) my choice of ingredients.”

A century ago, eatery founder Sun Yizhai established a humble snack bar near West Lake and posted the brand Zhi Wei Guan. People intrigued by the name and mobbed his place, finding the food savory and cheap.

The restaurant was listed as a time-honored food service brand in 1993 by virtue of its secret recipes and tasty fare. Whether it’s lunch or afternoon tea or dinner, Zhi Wei Guan is always packed with people. During busy times, diners have to queue up for seats.

The must-orders in Zhi Wei Guan include West Lake’s water shield soup, West Lake vinegar fish, home-made steamed buns, Longjing tea shrimp, beggar’s chicken and dingsheng cakes.

Address: 343 Yangmeishan Rd

Tel: (0571) 8702-8123

Mu Mo

It’s both a furniture store and an exhibition hall. The house where it is located was a former classroom building of Zhejiang University of Technology. Now, it has been converted into cultural and creative studios and workshops.

The furniture is designed by students of the China Academy of Art and is characterized by Japanese minimalist styles. The wooden tables, chairs, desks, wardrobes and beds are simple and plain.

Designers have kept the original color and texture of the timber, without painting it over. All of the wood is oak and walnut imported from North America and of high quality.

The stylish and high-end wood hasn’t caused prices to spiral — they are in line with the rest of the market.

Address: Dongxinhe Cultural and Creative Industry Park, 139 Liuhe Rd

Tel: 137-5810-2809

 

Hangzhou


 

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