Southern Song Imperial Street南宋御街
Southern Song Imperial Street (Zhongshan Middle Road) was the royal thoroughfare of Lin'an, capital of the Southern Song dynasty. Running about 1,400 m, it remains the historic heart of Hangzhou's old town. During the 2007 renovation, archaeologists found superimposed roadbeds from five eras — Southern Song, Yuan, Ming, Qing and the Republic — in a state of preservation rarely seen in Chinese urban archaeology; a protected exhibition area now shows the site free of charge.
Hangzhou · Visitor Guide2026-10-18
Quick Answer
Is Southern Song Imperial Street worth visiting?
The central artery of the Southern Song capital Lin'an, carrying 1,000 years of history and a preserved underground road layer. Free to stroll, linked to Hefang Street, loveliest lit up at night.
Quick facts
| Ticket | Free admission (some exhibition halls ticketed separately) |
|---|---|
| Hours | Open all day (shops roughly 09:00-21:00) |
| Recommended duration | About 1-2 hours |
| Best time to visit | Year-round; most atmospheric at night under the lights; best light for photos in the early morning |
| How to get there | A 5-10 minute walk from Ding'an Road or Longxiang Bridge station on Metro Line 1; multiple bus routes pass nearby |
| English signage | Yes |
| Wheelchair accessible | Partial |
| Length | About 1,400 m |
| History | First laid out under the Southern Song (1127-1279) |
| Significance | Central axis of the Southern Song capital Lin'an |
| Archaeological value | Superimposed roadbeds from the Five Dynasties to the Republic era |
| Location | Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, running north to south |
What to expect
Southern Song Imperial Street — Zhongshan Middle Road — runs from Qingchun Road in the north to the Drum Tower in the south. It was the main avenue and royal route of Lin'an, the Southern Song capital, continuing a street first laid out under the Northern Song, and it witnessed the whole of Hangzhou's history as a capital through the Southern Song, Yuan, Ming, Qing and Republic eras. During the 2007 renovation of the historic district, archaeologists uncovered five superimposed roadbeds about 2 m below the modern surface, their paving materials, drainage channels and column bases still clearly legible — a milestone in the history of Chinese urban archaeology.
In Southern Song times the street was lined with shops and ranked among the busiest commercial thoroughfares in the world, selling everything from jewelry and jade to everyday goods. Where Meng Yuanlao's "Dongjing Meng Hua Lu" recorded the splendor of the Northern Song capital in words, the Imperial Street is Lin'an's prosperity preserved in the flesh. Many Republican-era western buildings still stand along the street — arcade fronts, colonnades and shikumen gates in varied styles — mingling with Qing-era structures.
Plan on about 30 minutes to walk the street end to end, or 1.5-2 hours if you linger over the architecture and the underground site exhibits. Start at dusk, shoot the street by daylight, then wait for the lights to come on around 19:00. From the southern end at the Drum Tower, Hefang Street is a 500 m walk away, closing a complete old-town loop; time-honored shopfronts and small design studios line the way.
How to get there
Take Metro Line 1 to Ding'an Road station Exit B and walk north along Gaoyin Street to Zhongshan Middle Road, about 10 minutes; or from Longxiang Bridge station (also Line 1) walk south along Zhongshan Middle Road, about 10 minutes. Buses 8 and 25 stop at Zhongshan Middle Road.
Best photo spots
- The street's entrance archway by the Drum Tower
- The underground ruins display, where the ancient roadbed shows through a glass floor
- The cluster of Republican-era arcade buildings
- The illuminated shop plaques after dark
- Where the Imperial Street meets Hefang Street
Tips
- Come at dusk and walk south to north, shooting daylight scenes first and night views after
- The underground ruins hall is free but not open daily — check the hours before you go
- Look for time-honored names along the way, such as Wanlong ham shop, Zhuangyuan Lou and the Shao Zhiyan brush shop
- Pair it with Hefang Street and Wushan Hill Square — start at the square and work north
Scams to avoid
- Some handicrafts in the street-side shops cost far more than on major e-commerce platforms — compare prices online before buying
- A few stretches are quiet and thinly trafficked at night; keep an eye on your belongings
Frequently asked questions
Are Southern Song Imperial Street and Hefang Street the same street?
No, but they are next to each other. Hefang Street lies to the south (near Wushan Hill Square) and the Imperial Street (Zhongshan Middle Road) to the north, about 500 m apart — an easy walk between the two.
What can you see of the underground ruins?
Remains uncovered in the 2007 excavation are displayed under glass floors in designated areas: roadbeds, drainage channels and column bases from the Five Dynasties through the Republic period.
Does the street charge admission?
The street itself is free to enter. A few exhibition halls (such as the Southern Song ruins museum) may require a separate ticket or reservation.
Is the street the same place as the Southern Song Ruins Museum?
No. The Southern Song Ruins Museum sits at the southern end of Zhongshan Middle Road near the Drum Tower and displays the excavated street remains; it is visited separately. The Imperial Street itself is an open public street.
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