People visit Qinghefang Street in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. /CGTN

Located just a few hundred meters away from the famous West Lake, Qinghefang, a well-preserved historic street, offers a fascinating glimpse into Hangzhou's traditions, commercial past, and folk customs.

Qinghefang has been the commercial center of the city since the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), when Hangzhou, then called Lin'an, was the capital city of the country.

Nowadays, the 13-hectare area is still a bustling pedestrian street featuring many time-honored shops and restaurants.

Hu Qingyutang, an old pharmaceutical shop, is a good place for people to learn about the culture of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The pharmacy was opened by a local resident named Hu Xueyan in 1874 and it has enjoyed a good reputation throughout its history.

Today, the shop still sells traditional Chinese medicine, but also serves as a museum, telling the story of the pharmacy and exploring various aspects of the TCM industry, from herbal medicines to prescriptions and retail items.

Other famous old shops in Qinghefang include the Wangxingji Fan Store, Zhangxiaoquan Scissors, and the Wangruixing Restaurant.

People shop on Qinghefang Street in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. /CGTN

A pharmacist demonstrates how he manually expands TCM pills at the Hu Qingyutang Chinese Medicine Museum on Qinghefang Street in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. /CGTN

Handheld folding fans are on display at a shop on Qinghefang Street in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. /CGTN

Various kinds of sauces are on display at a shop on Qinghefang Street in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. /CGTN