Hutong Ancient City

湖东古城

The well-preserved old city district of Quzhou featuring Ming and Qing architecture, traditional merchant houses, and narrow cobblestone streets that showcase Zhejiang's interior character. A quieter alternative to crowded water towns with genuine local atmosphere.

Things to do

• Explore Longyou Caverns — Visit the nearby ancient underground stone caverns featuring intricate carvings and mysterious architectural chambers dating back over 2,000 years.
• Walk Ming and Qing Streets — Stroll through the preserved merchant quarters with original wooden storefronts, carved doorways, and traditional courtyard houses showcasing regional architecture.
• Visit Quzhou Museum — Discover local history and artifacts related to the ancient city's role as a regional trade hub during the Ming and Qing dynasties.
• Tour Traditional Courtyards — Step inside restored family compounds with central atriums, moon gates, and ancestral halls that reveal daily life in Zhejiang's interior cities.
• Attend Local Markets — Browse morning produce and textile markets where residents shop, offering genuine local encounters away from tourist crowds.

Food to try

• Quzhou Soup Dumplings — Delicate xiaolongbao filled with pork and savory broth, a regional variation distinct from Shanghai versions with thinner, more delicate wrappers.
• Longyou Fish Cakes — Springy cakes made from freshwater fish paste and local seasonings, traditionally steamed and served as a street snack or side dish.
• Quzhou Mahua — Twisted fried dough pastries glazed with honey and sesame, a regional sweet treat that has been made in the city for centuries.
• Zhejiang Bamboo Shoot Dishes — Spring bamboo shoots prepared in broth or stir-fried, showcasing the region's surrounding forested hills and mountain agriculture.
• Local Tea Culture Experience — Sample Longjing and other Zhejiang teas at traditional teahouses tucked into courtyards, where proprietors demonstrate proper brewing techniques.

Local customs & good to know

• Visit Early Morning for Authentic Atmosphere — Arrive before 9 AM when locals are shopping and working, as the streets fill with tour groups by mid-morning.
• Respect Private Residences — Many courtyards remain family homes—only enter those marked as tourist sites and always ask permission before photographing residents or interiors.
• Learn Proper Tea Etiquette — When invited to a local's home or teahouse, tap your fingers on the table as a gesture of thanks when tea is poured—a Zhejiang custom showing respect.
• Slow Down and Linger — This is a working neighborhood where locals live; meaningful experiences come from sitting in courtyards, chatting with shopkeepers, and observing daily rhythms rather than rushing between sites.