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Road's tranquil present after dark times in past
By Wu Huixin |
January 21, 2013, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
JIANGJUN Road is an east-west road connecting West Lake and Huansha Road, dominated by residential buildings and several former mansions now used for commercial purposes. Compared with the neighboring Kaiyuan and Jiefang roads, Jiangjun Road is shorter, narrower and more tranquil.
Jiangjun in Chinese means general, and the road acquired this name in the Republic of China (1911-1949) period. According to the Shen Bao newspaper of the time, Yuan Shikai - the second president of the Republic of China - bestowed on Zhejiang governor, Zhu Rui, the title of Xingwu General. And as the original site of today's Jiangjun Road was the political center of Zhejiang Province, the road was named "general" in recognition of the governor's title.
The street also contains a reminder of a dark period of history.
At the intersection of Jiangjun Road and Huansha Road are four three-floor dwellings called Si Shui Xin Cun (泗水新村). These concrete buildings with red windows were the site of a so-called "comfort station" during the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1937-1945).
A "comfort station" housed incarcerated "comfort women" who had been forced into prostitution by the Japanese.
According to historical documents, the Japanese government at the time established 13 "comfort stations" in Hangzhou. Of these, only Si Shui Xin Cun remains.
After victory, locals lived in the buildings for many years, though the very basic facilities there were an inconvenience to residents.
In 2011, Hangzhou government relocated occupants of Si Shui Xin Cun to better housing.
In order to preserve historical evidence of the war and ensure future generations do not forget the national humiliation of that time, it was decided to convert this one-time "comfort station" into a museum. Work on this project is ongoing.
Alongside dark reminders from history, Jiangjun Road is home to numerous stylish stores and venues.
Shanghai Daily took a walk on this peaceful road last weekend and found three gems situated there, namely a gallery, a cafe and a teahouse.
Tea Show (雅叶集)
Teahouses are very much an industry of Hangzhou. Tea Show is one of the numerous teahouses dotted around the city, but is unique due to its combination of tea art training, tea set sales and drinking tea itself.
Owner Chen Ying is a national tea art expert, who graduated from the tea department of Zhejiang University. She patiently explains basic knowledge of tea to customers while making tea. Chen says she adheres to the ancient Chinese concept of "making friends through tea."
Every cup of tea here is made and served by Chen. Visitors can appreciate the culture of the tea ceremony while enjoying a mellow cup of tea.
Tea sets and teas on display are for sale. Tea set varieties range from celadon to Yixing purple clay pots; while teas include everything from Longjing to Dahongpao tea.
Moreover, Chen holds a tea art training class on evenings during the work days. She teaches students how to select, smell and taste tea and how to perform the tea ceremony.
The decor is elegant but comfortable, making customers feel as though they are at home. Often they linger over their tea until night falls.
Address: 68 Jiangjun Road
Sunmark Tanning Cafe (日晒咖啡)
This is a cafe with a secret- - it's not only an cozy coffee spot but also the only tanning parlor in Hangzhou.
Owner Ada imported the high-tech tanning unit from the Netherlands. It looks like a space capsule, featuring 48 tubes radiating a blue glow.
Traditionally, Chinese people consider pale skin the symbol of beauty, but in recent years, more and more people have come around to the idea of tanning, seeing it as symbolizing health and highlighting body contours.
The owners say that their machine filters out harmful light of sunlight and boosts beneficial rays, making the tanning tone even.
Ada says the tanning room is not only for beauty but also for health. On hazy days, people are prone to be depressed and fall sick, while the simulated sunlight can activate cells and relax nerves.
Indoor sun worship doesn't come cheap though. One year's unlimited-use membership is 4,790 yuan (US$770); three months' unlimited-use membership is 1,990 yuan; 24 eight-minute sessions cost 1,560 yuan; while 12 eight-minute sessions are 900 yuan.
Address: 62 Jiangjun Road
Dahan Gallery (大瀚艺术空间)
China Academy of Art collaborated with Taiwan's G. Zen 50 Gallery to establish this gallery on Jiangjun Road, aiming at providing a space for exhibiting works by academy teachers and students.
Although not large, the gallery has numerous items on display, including porcelains, ceramics, oil paintings and sculptures.
Currently, works on show are from Dai Yuxiang, Ning Xiaoli and Lu Bin. These include embossed flowers on porcelain plates; an abstract work of a man holding a lotus seedpod; an iron crow; and a Buddha head.
Exhibits are also for sale.
Address: 56 Jiangjun Road
Jiangjun in Chinese means general, and the road acquired this name in the Republic of China (1911-1949) period. According to the Shen Bao newspaper of the time, Yuan Shikai - the second president of the Republic of China - bestowed on Zhejiang governor, Zhu Rui, the title of Xingwu General. And as the original site of today's Jiangjun Road was the political center of Zhejiang Province, the road was named "general" in recognition of the governor's title.
The street also contains a reminder of a dark period of history.
At the intersection of Jiangjun Road and Huansha Road are four three-floor dwellings called Si Shui Xin Cun (泗水新村). These concrete buildings with red windows were the site of a so-called "comfort station" during the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1937-1945).
A "comfort station" housed incarcerated "comfort women" who had been forced into prostitution by the Japanese.
According to historical documents, the Japanese government at the time established 13 "comfort stations" in Hangzhou. Of these, only Si Shui Xin Cun remains.
After victory, locals lived in the buildings for many years, though the very basic facilities there were an inconvenience to residents.
In 2011, Hangzhou government relocated occupants of Si Shui Xin Cun to better housing.
In order to preserve historical evidence of the war and ensure future generations do not forget the national humiliation of that time, it was decided to convert this one-time "comfort station" into a museum. Work on this project is ongoing.
Alongside dark reminders from history, Jiangjun Road is home to numerous stylish stores and venues.
Shanghai Daily took a walk on this peaceful road last weekend and found three gems situated there, namely a gallery, a cafe and a teahouse.
Tea Show (雅叶集)
Teahouses are very much an industry of Hangzhou. Tea Show is one of the numerous teahouses dotted around the city, but is unique due to its combination of tea art training, tea set sales and drinking tea itself.
Owner Chen Ying is a national tea art expert, who graduated from the tea department of Zhejiang University. She patiently explains basic knowledge of tea to customers while making tea. Chen says she adheres to the ancient Chinese concept of "making friends through tea."
Every cup of tea here is made and served by Chen. Visitors can appreciate the culture of the tea ceremony while enjoying a mellow cup of tea.
Tea sets and teas on display are for sale. Tea set varieties range from celadon to Yixing purple clay pots; while teas include everything from Longjing to Dahongpao tea.
Moreover, Chen holds a tea art training class on evenings during the work days. She teaches students how to select, smell and taste tea and how to perform the tea ceremony.
The decor is elegant but comfortable, making customers feel as though they are at home. Often they linger over their tea until night falls.
Address: 68 Jiangjun Road
Sunmark Tanning Cafe (日晒咖啡)
This is a cafe with a secret- - it's not only an cozy coffee spot but also the only tanning parlor in Hangzhou.
Owner Ada imported the high-tech tanning unit from the Netherlands. It looks like a space capsule, featuring 48 tubes radiating a blue glow.
Traditionally, Chinese people consider pale skin the symbol of beauty, but in recent years, more and more people have come around to the idea of tanning, seeing it as symbolizing health and highlighting body contours.
The owners say that their machine filters out harmful light of sunlight and boosts beneficial rays, making the tanning tone even.
Ada says the tanning room is not only for beauty but also for health. On hazy days, people are prone to be depressed and fall sick, while the simulated sunlight can activate cells and relax nerves.
Indoor sun worship doesn't come cheap though. One year's unlimited-use membership is 4,790 yuan (US$770); three months' unlimited-use membership is 1,990 yuan; 24 eight-minute sessions cost 1,560 yuan; while 12 eight-minute sessions are 900 yuan.
Address: 62 Jiangjun Road
Dahan Gallery (大瀚艺术空间)
China Academy of Art collaborated with Taiwan's G. Zen 50 Gallery to establish this gallery on Jiangjun Road, aiming at providing a space for exhibiting works by academy teachers and students.
Although not large, the gallery has numerous items on display, including porcelains, ceramics, oil paintings and sculptures.
Currently, works on show are from Dai Yuxiang, Ning Xiaoli and Lu Bin. These include embossed flowers on porcelain plates; an abstract work of a man holding a lotus seedpod; an iron crow; and a Buddha head.
Exhibits are also for sale.
Address: 56 Jiangjun Road
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