Yifang Street

Yifang Street is a historical and cultural district in the heart of Huzhou City, named after the numerous tailor shops and silk merchants that gathered here in ancient times, with a history spanning over a thousand years. Located in the core area of Huzhou's old town, Yifang Street stretches from Hongmenguan in the east to South Street in the west, bordered by Hongqi Road to the north and Xiaoshi Lane to the south, adjacent to the Zha Stream. Formed during the Tang and Song dynasties, Yifang Street flourished as a renowned "garment industry street" in Jiangnan during the Ming and Qing dynasties due to the prosperity of the silk trade. As Huzhou was known as the "Home of Silk," the area was once crowded with silk shops, cloth stores, and tailor workshops, hence the name "Yifang Street" (Clothing Street). Since 2005, the Huzhou municipal government has carried out protective renovations to preserve the architectural styles from the Ming and Qing dynasties to the Republic of China era, while integrating modern commercial elements, transforming it into a cultural landmark that blends historical heritage with vibrant energy.