Heqiao Ancient Town

Heqiao Ancient Town

Heqiao Ancient Town is located in the southwestern part of Lin’an City, on the banks of the LiuXi River in Changhua, 100 kilometers from Hangzhou and 50 kilometers from downtown Lin’an.

Heqiao Ancient Town was once the seat of the ancient Changhua County government. During the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty, when Tangchang (i.e., Changhua County) established four towns, Heqiao was ranked first due to its “superior water gateway location and leading commerce in Tangchang,” and the inscription “First Town of Tangchang” can still be seen above the town gate.

Heqiao Old Street is the symbol of the ancient town and the most direct reflection of its culture. The street stretches nearly 2,000 meters from north to south and is five meters wide, paved entirely with flagstones and cobblestones. Over 100 shops line the ancient street, featuring traditional architectural styles from the late Qing Dynasty and early Republican period, and still bear traces of the bustling market stalls that once stood there...

Heqiao has a history of over 1,300 years. During the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty, the area had a dense population, flourishing trade, and a thriving culture. Its location at the confluence of three rivers earned it the title “First Town of Tangchang.” Where there is a bridge, there is water — and where there is navigable water, commerce thrives. In ancient times, “the Heqiao area, spanning several miles, was home to no fewer than a thousand households,” and for quite some time, the prominence of Heqiao’s location went without saying. During the Anti-Japanese War in the 1940s, Heqiao prospered once again, with many institutions setting up operations here, exerting considerable influence. It also served as a commercial hub in western Zhejiang and was known as the “Little Shanghai.” Although the passage of time has dimmed its former splendor, many historic sites and landmarks no longer retain their past glory.

Wiping away the dust of time, the value of Heqiao Ancient Town has not been forgotten by the world. As a mountain town, it boasts picturesque surrounding landscapes, the preserved outline of its old streets, and over a hundred buildings dating back to the Qing and Republican periods. In 2010, when Hangzhou selected its first batch of 13 “Charming Towns,” Heqiao was among them.