Qinghefang Ancient Street has been the most flourished street in the city since the ancient time. During the Southern Song Dynasty (1127 - 1279 AD), Qinghefang with lots of shops, restaurants and teahouses was the center of politics, culture and commerce in the city. After so many years, it is still a prosperous business area. Many famous century-old shops are located in this ancient street, such as Wangxingji Fan Store, Zhangxiaoquan Scissors, Wanlong Ham Stack, Huqingyutang Pharmacy, Baohetang Pharmacy, Zhuangyuan House, Wangruixing, Yiyuanjindian, Jingyangguan and Sheep Soup Restaurant among others.
In April 2000, the government of Shangcheng District proposed their vision for Qinghefang. Their proposal was to protect the historical buildings of the Ming and Qing Dynasty that were in Hangzhou along this 460m stretch of Qinghefang. The redeveloped ancient street now exudes an atmosphere of its past and is boastful of its street-culture, entertainment, commerce and the tours that are the attention of its citizens and visitors home and abroad. At present, there are 16 old-fashioned street lanes remained, mainly including Zhongshan Middle Road, Hefang Street, Gulou Bay and Gaoyin Lane. From the layout, these lanes are primary from south to north and accessorial from east to west. Most of the existing old buildings in the streets are in the style of late Qing Dynasty's and the well-preserved 'four-corner buildings group' are the masterpiece example of traditional blocks of Hangzhou. Viewed from the end of the block, it is visually pleasing combining both the static structures and the dynamics of the people milling about.