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Sights on the city's most elegant road
By Wu Huixin |
October 15, 2012, Monday
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Print Edition
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ASK Hangzhou locals to choose a road epitomizing the charm and elegance of the city and most, without hesitation, many will pick Nanshan Road.
The mention of Nanshan Road makes many people think of its roadside lush phoenix trees. In summer, they act as sunshades, blocking the scorching sun, while in autumn the fallen golden leaves bring a sense of tranquility to the inhabitants of the bustling city.
As the road traces the east and south of the beautiful West Lake, it also boasts scenic spots which attract a seemingly endless stream of visitors each day. These include Leifeng Pagoda at Sunset, Orioles Singing in the Willows and Jingci Buddhist Temple.
Buildings dotted along the road match the quiet surroundings of the road. Shikumen - traditional Shanghainese stone-gate houses - built during the Republic of China period (1911-1949) and characterized by Western terraces and high brick walls, together with other slope-roof villas with gray bricks built in 1920s, add a historic flavor to Nanshan Road.
These buildings are used as galleries and bookstores today, such as Nanshan Bookstore, which mainly sells books about art, and Henglu Gallery.
A peaceful location filled with elegant architecture, Nanshan Road provides an ideal setting for admiring artworks and cultivating artistic talent.
China Academy of Art and Zhejiang Art Museum are situated here. With their modern architecture and exhibitions, both campus and museum have become attractions in themselves.
Visitors should also look out for a music studio hidden away in the nearby Goushanli Street. The West Lake Qin Society was founded by Xu Yuanbai, a master of the guqin - a seven-string zither-like instrument - half a century ago, with the aim of protecting traditional Chinese guqin culture.
On a crisp autumn day, Shanghai Daily took a ride along the road, discovering some of Nanshan Road's other charms, including a museum, a youth hostel anda memorial hall.
Su Dongpo Memorial Hall
Su Shi was a writer, poet, calligrapher and statesman of the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127). His pseudonym was Dongpo Jushi, and he is often referred to as Su Dongpo.
In many Chinese people's eyes, his poetry and writings are the summit of literature in 11th-century China, while in the eyes of Hangzhou locals, it was Su who laid the foundations of the basic layout of current West Lake.
In the beginning of the Southern Song Dynasty's Yuanyou era (1086–1094), Su came to Hangzhou as mayor. During his tenure, Su was concerned with the suffering of people and left behind a legacy of many contributions to the city. These included dredging the West Lake and piling up the Su Causeway, which helped solve drought problems farmers faced, winning Su the praise of locals. Today, he is still cordially known as "old mayor" by many.
At the crossroads of the Su Causeway and Nanshan Road, the government has built a memorial hall to commemorate the old mayor. It features exhibits devoted to Su, plus examples of Hangzhou cuisine.
In the grounds behind the museum, Su's calligraphy work and poems were carved on the walls.
Address: 1 Nanshan Rd
Jingshang Youth Hostel
Although the hostel is situated in a residential block, its location across from the famous tourist attraction Orioles Singing in the Willows has seen it become popular with young tourists.
An informal tone is set by the hostel exterior, where thriving flowers surround a small blackboard with details of the food on offer.
Inside, plants dot every corner alongside shelves of Hangzhou postcards for sale and books and knick-knacks.
The reception area has sofas, TV, a computer and a pool table to help guests feel at home. Paintings hung on walls and magazines piled on tables add to the homely vibe. The front yard has tables and chairs so people can sit outdoors and take in the clean autumn air over a cup of coffee. A small carp pond adds to the tranquil atmosphere.
The bar counter offers free lemon water with fruit and seasoning. The hostel has more than rooms featuring Chinese-style decor.
Address: 148-5 Nanshan Rd
Shadow Play Art Museum
China Academy of Art is responsible for preserving the venerated art of shadow play and established the museum in a 100-year-old villa beside the school.
Traditionally, donkey or cowhide was cut into various shadow play human and animal characters. The museum has 47,000 shadow play puppets in its collection, including some dating back to the Ming (1368-1644) and Yuan (1271-1368) dynasties and contemporary works.
The puppets originate from Hebei, Shanxi, Gansu, Henan, Hubei, Shaanxi provinces, as well as northeast China.
Some are masterpieces to be found nowhere else, including the "Picture of Amusement and the Animal World," an animal character which dates back to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).
T-shirt and postcards on the shadow play theme are on sale at the museum.
Address: 206 Nanshan Rd
The mention of Nanshan Road makes many people think of its roadside lush phoenix trees. In summer, they act as sunshades, blocking the scorching sun, while in autumn the fallen golden leaves bring a sense of tranquility to the inhabitants of the bustling city.
As the road traces the east and south of the beautiful West Lake, it also boasts scenic spots which attract a seemingly endless stream of visitors each day. These include Leifeng Pagoda at Sunset, Orioles Singing in the Willows and Jingci Buddhist Temple.
Buildings dotted along the road match the quiet surroundings of the road. Shikumen - traditional Shanghainese stone-gate houses - built during the Republic of China period (1911-1949) and characterized by Western terraces and high brick walls, together with other slope-roof villas with gray bricks built in 1920s, add a historic flavor to Nanshan Road.
These buildings are used as galleries and bookstores today, such as Nanshan Bookstore, which mainly sells books about art, and Henglu Gallery.
A peaceful location filled with elegant architecture, Nanshan Road provides an ideal setting for admiring artworks and cultivating artistic talent.
China Academy of Art and Zhejiang Art Museum are situated here. With their modern architecture and exhibitions, both campus and museum have become attractions in themselves.
Visitors should also look out for a music studio hidden away in the nearby Goushanli Street. The West Lake Qin Society was founded by Xu Yuanbai, a master of the guqin - a seven-string zither-like instrument - half a century ago, with the aim of protecting traditional Chinese guqin culture.
On a crisp autumn day, Shanghai Daily took a ride along the road, discovering some of Nanshan Road's other charms, including a museum, a youth hostel anda memorial hall.
Su Dongpo Memorial Hall
Su Shi was a writer, poet, calligrapher and statesman of the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127). His pseudonym was Dongpo Jushi, and he is often referred to as Su Dongpo.
In many Chinese people's eyes, his poetry and writings are the summit of literature in 11th-century China, while in the eyes of Hangzhou locals, it was Su who laid the foundations of the basic layout of current West Lake.
In the beginning of the Southern Song Dynasty's Yuanyou era (1086–1094), Su came to Hangzhou as mayor. During his tenure, Su was concerned with the suffering of people and left behind a legacy of many contributions to the city. These included dredging the West Lake and piling up the Su Causeway, which helped solve drought problems farmers faced, winning Su the praise of locals. Today, he is still cordially known as "old mayor" by many.
At the crossroads of the Su Causeway and Nanshan Road, the government has built a memorial hall to commemorate the old mayor. It features exhibits devoted to Su, plus examples of Hangzhou cuisine.
In the grounds behind the museum, Su's calligraphy work and poems were carved on the walls.
Address: 1 Nanshan Rd
Jingshang Youth Hostel
Although the hostel is situated in a residential block, its location across from the famous tourist attraction Orioles Singing in the Willows has seen it become popular with young tourists.
An informal tone is set by the hostel exterior, where thriving flowers surround a small blackboard with details of the food on offer.
Inside, plants dot every corner alongside shelves of Hangzhou postcards for sale and books and knick-knacks.
The reception area has sofas, TV, a computer and a pool table to help guests feel at home. Paintings hung on walls and magazines piled on tables add to the homely vibe. The front yard has tables and chairs so people can sit outdoors and take in the clean autumn air over a cup of coffee. A small carp pond adds to the tranquil atmosphere.
The bar counter offers free lemon water with fruit and seasoning. The hostel has more than rooms featuring Chinese-style decor.
Address: 148-5 Nanshan Rd
Shadow Play Art Museum
China Academy of Art is responsible for preserving the venerated art of shadow play and established the museum in a 100-year-old villa beside the school.
Traditionally, donkey or cowhide was cut into various shadow play human and animal characters. The museum has 47,000 shadow play puppets in its collection, including some dating back to the Ming (1368-1644) and Yuan (1271-1368) dynasties and contemporary works.
The puppets originate from Hebei, Shanxi, Gansu, Henan, Hubei, Shaanxi provinces, as well as northeast China.
Some are masterpieces to be found nowhere else, including the "Picture of Amusement and the Animal World," an animal character which dates back to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).
T-shirt and postcards on the shadow play theme are on sale at the museum.
Address: 206 Nanshan Rd
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