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Street founded on silver is still a treasure
By Xu Wenwen |
August 6, 2012, Monday
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Print Edition
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WHILE historic Hefang Street has long been a must-visit spot in Hangzhou, neighboring Gaoyin Street, just 20 meters away, is better known as a food street.
Extending around 500 meters, the strip includes more than 40 restaurants - most offering local dishes - enticing visitors from home and abroad.
But Gaoyin Street can boast more than restaurants - there are traditional Chinese medicine pharmacies, specialty shops, artwork and handicraft stores, as well as quiet places where people can escape the city clamor.
The handicraft highlights are not the result of deliberate "touristification," as traditionally Gaoyin Street was home to jewelry and craft stores.
The street took shape during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279) and got its name from a story concerning its early days.
During the Southern Song Dynasty, a young man surnamed Gao lived there. His parents had died when he was young and he eked out a living making snacks.
One day, while walking on a street, Gao found a bag full of silver. Instead of making off with his find, the honest young man waited patiently for the owner to return.
Hours later, the owner of the bag did return, retracing his steps as he searched for his silver. When Gao returned his find, the grateful owner, a merchant from Southeast Asia, asked the young man to become his assistant.
Gao exported Hangzhou's silk and tea to Southeast Asia and imported spice and jewelry, becoming very rich.
He built a large house where his family home had been and opened a jewelry shop. The street developed into a center of handicraft and jewelry stores, and was named Gaoyin Street ( means silver and money).
Gao's house and store may have disappeared but some old wooden houses remain.
Among local cuisine restaurants, Xi Le Yuan Restaurant, Wei Zhai Restaurant and Tian Xing Lou Re are recommended, while a mini "local specialty street" at the east end of Gaoyin Street is the place to go for the likes of tea, ham and traditional Chinese medicine herbs.
Here are some other attractions worth going along Gaoyin Street, including a Nepal handicraft lane, a boutique ceramic store and a mellow Japanese-style cafe.
Cafe Pillow
The name of this cafe reveals the owner's wish - to make the place as comfortable as a pillow - and over the years Cafe Pillow has created a reputation for doing just that.
One year ago, it moved from Laodong Road to Dongtaiping Lane, between Gaoyin Street and Hefang Street, creating a tranquil space among the surrounding bustle.
The owner appears to have taken inspiration from Japanese modern cafes. At the gate carp banners "swim" in the breeze, while a small, plant-filled garden offers a green haven.
The interior of the cafe is simple, featuring book shelves against white walls, pillows placed on sofas and postcards and photographs on shelves. At the entrance, books are for sale - mostly travel and cookbooks, many in Japanese.
The food deserves a mention, especially the desserts and cakes. Though slightly expensive, they are worth the cost due to the fresh ingredients and yummy taste.
Every Saturday, there is a small flea market where people can buy, sell and exchange knick-knacks.
Address: No. 3, Dongtaiping Lane
Nepal Handicraft Street
Nepal Handicraft Street runs between Gaoyin Street and Hefang Street, featuring crafts ranging from jewelry and knick-knacks to figures of Buddha and thangka - scroll paintings of Buddha.
Established in 2006 and run by two Nepali merchants, the lane has become well-known for its distinctive goods, all hand-made in Nepal.
Best sellers include silver chains and rings, plus other jewelry featuring crystal, shells and gems.
Bronze Buddha figures are also popular, with a 10-centimeter one priced at 600 yuan (US$94).
Other items related to Buddhism include ox bone figures of Buddha, prayer beads and praying wheels. Handicrafts on offer also include paper jewelry boxes, collapsible wooden containers, incense and hand-painted stone plates.
Address: Close to the east end of Gaoyin Street
EDENUS Ceramics Store
Next to the Nepal Handicraft Street is a large sign with the Chinese character Tao (ì?) - ceramics - at the entrance to a bright store selling delicate goods.
The store is part of the EDENUS chain, a ceramics brand founded in Xiamen, Fujian Province, that designs and sells porcelain tea sets, flower pots and works of art - mainly china sculptures.
Its items are in classical chinaware style from the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907) to the Song Dynasty (960-1279), though designed for modern life.
Address: 69 Gaoyin Street
Extending around 500 meters, the strip includes more than 40 restaurants - most offering local dishes - enticing visitors from home and abroad.
But Gaoyin Street can boast more than restaurants - there are traditional Chinese medicine pharmacies, specialty shops, artwork and handicraft stores, as well as quiet places where people can escape the city clamor.
The handicraft highlights are not the result of deliberate "touristification," as traditionally Gaoyin Street was home to jewelry and craft stores.
The street took shape during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279) and got its name from a story concerning its early days.
During the Southern Song Dynasty, a young man surnamed Gao lived there. His parents had died when he was young and he eked out a living making snacks.
One day, while walking on a street, Gao found a bag full of silver. Instead of making off with his find, the honest young man waited patiently for the owner to return.
Hours later, the owner of the bag did return, retracing his steps as he searched for his silver. When Gao returned his find, the grateful owner, a merchant from Southeast Asia, asked the young man to become his assistant.
Gao exported Hangzhou's silk and tea to Southeast Asia and imported spice and jewelry, becoming very rich.
He built a large house where his family home had been and opened a jewelry shop. The street developed into a center of handicraft and jewelry stores, and was named Gaoyin Street ( means silver and money).
Gao's house and store may have disappeared but some old wooden houses remain.
Among local cuisine restaurants, Xi Le Yuan Restaurant, Wei Zhai Restaurant and Tian Xing Lou Re are recommended, while a mini "local specialty street" at the east end of Gaoyin Street is the place to go for the likes of tea, ham and traditional Chinese medicine herbs.
Here are some other attractions worth going along Gaoyin Street, including a Nepal handicraft lane, a boutique ceramic store and a mellow Japanese-style cafe.
Cafe Pillow
The name of this cafe reveals the owner's wish - to make the place as comfortable as a pillow - and over the years Cafe Pillow has created a reputation for doing just that.
One year ago, it moved from Laodong Road to Dongtaiping Lane, between Gaoyin Street and Hefang Street, creating a tranquil space among the surrounding bustle.
The owner appears to have taken inspiration from Japanese modern cafes. At the gate carp banners "swim" in the breeze, while a small, plant-filled garden offers a green haven.
The interior of the cafe is simple, featuring book shelves against white walls, pillows placed on sofas and postcards and photographs on shelves. At the entrance, books are for sale - mostly travel and cookbooks, many in Japanese.
The food deserves a mention, especially the desserts and cakes. Though slightly expensive, they are worth the cost due to the fresh ingredients and yummy taste.
Every Saturday, there is a small flea market where people can buy, sell and exchange knick-knacks.
Address: No. 3, Dongtaiping Lane
Nepal Handicraft Street
Nepal Handicraft Street runs between Gaoyin Street and Hefang Street, featuring crafts ranging from jewelry and knick-knacks to figures of Buddha and thangka - scroll paintings of Buddha.
Established in 2006 and run by two Nepali merchants, the lane has become well-known for its distinctive goods, all hand-made in Nepal.
Best sellers include silver chains and rings, plus other jewelry featuring crystal, shells and gems.
Bronze Buddha figures are also popular, with a 10-centimeter one priced at 600 yuan (US$94).
Other items related to Buddhism include ox bone figures of Buddha, prayer beads and praying wheels. Handicrafts on offer also include paper jewelry boxes, collapsible wooden containers, incense and hand-painted stone plates.
Address: Close to the east end of Gaoyin Street
EDENUS Ceramics Store
Next to the Nepal Handicraft Street is a large sign with the Chinese character Tao (ì?) - ceramics - at the entrance to a bright store selling delicate goods.
The store is part of the EDENUS chain, a ceramics brand founded in Xiamen, Fujian Province, that designs and sells porcelain tea sets, flower pots and works of art - mainly china sculptures.
Its items are in classical chinaware style from the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907) to the Song Dynasty (960-1279), though designed for modern life.
Address: 69 Gaoyin Street
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