Imperial Street of the Southern Song Dynasty

Imperial Street of the Southern Song Dynasty

Zhongshan Road is well known as a historical and cultural heritage in town reflecting ancient urban values as well as a modern landscape. Known as Imperial Street and Heaven Street, Zhongshan Road was the north-south axis of the ancient Capital Lin'an City in the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279 AD).

The objectives of the treatment and renovation project of Zhongshan Road is to recall the city memory, rebuild the civil life and blend the eastern and western culture in this international tourism complex. It will be a meeting point for seniors to look back at history, for the youngsters to taste the latest fashion, for foreigners to experience China and for the Chinese to take a look at the world around them.

The newly refurbished Imperial Street of the Southern Song Dynasty opened to the public in late September. The opening week celebration held from Sept 30 to Oct 5 was loaded with events under the theme "Imperial Memories, Creative Fashions".

Three National Museums

Three national museums containing scissors, swords, fans and umbrellas were built last January in order to protect the cultural heritage of three local products, namely, Zhang Xiaoquan Scissors, Wang Xingji Fans and West Lake Silk Umbrellas. The three museums were unveiled with a grand opening last month displaying a total 2,016 collections, including 251 umbrellas, 779 fans and 986 knives, swords and scissors. The museums have been offering free admission since Oct 1st.

The museums will not only showcase their respective collections but also display the historical background of each item with multi-media technology. Experienced folk artists will be invited to the museums to showcase their exquisite skills of making fans, silk umbrellas and scissors. The interactive facilities will enable visitors to experience the practice firsthand.

Xixi International Tourism Complex

The Xixi International Tourism Complex, located in the southeastern corner of Xixi Wetland, consists of a wetland museum, a top grade shopping center, six international hotels and premium serviced apartments and public tourism service facilities.

Phase I of the Xixi International Tourism Complex was partially opened on Oct 1, but the other areas are still under development, including the Xixi Wetland Museum—the first national wetland museum. Limited access to the museum will be available for the public in October.

Xixi Brook Hotel with 118 rooms has been open since Aug 1 and the construction of the Sheraton Hotel is scheduled to be completed and have its soft opening in 2010.

By Li Hui