It's not very crowded there because locals think it's too touristy. Plus, I like to slip into the back alleys cause the back alleys show the real historical areas and read the stone writings with pictures depicting what happened there many years ago e.g. fights between Chinese and Western people over bread/some bakery long ago. The back alleys are a bit deserted with unrented shops and they're fun for taking pics reminscent of old kung fu movies where the streets are deserted and waiting for something to happen. Go dressed up in traditional wear or buy one in the shops at the middle/end of the street (they're cheaper than at the head of the street and better quality) to make it more fun. They don't have any to rent just to walk around. P.S. for anyone who likes kung fu movies, there's an authentic Wong Fei Hung Chinese medicine shop along the street.

Hi, We only stayed one night in Hangzhou, although I wish it had been longer, so I can only tell you about our hotel which was the Zhejiang Media Hotel (4 star). It was a very nice hotel but it did not have lake views although it was very close to the lake. As the lake is so beautiful I think it would be worth finding an hotel which had lake views & was close to Hefang Street.

1300m, 6km