General Road, or Jiangjunlu in Chinese, runs from east to west between Huangsha Road and Nanshan Road in Hubin District in Hangzhou.

Younger generation may not know that back in late 1960s, the road was named People Road, which was then popular in China. General Road was reused in 2003.

To the regret of lots of people, especially senior citizens, many old allies, streets in Hangzhou were destructed to make space for high rises over the last century.

In the memory of Mr Xu Guangshou who has been living in Mishi Alley for over 50 years, there were hundreds of small allies in the district, but many had been gone.

Statistics shows that for the period from 1985 to 2005, 698 old allies and streets, which dated back to the Qing dynasty, even the Song dynasty, disappeared from the map of Hangzhou. Over 100 allies were gone in the district where Mr Xu Guangshou lives over the years.

The construction of West Lake Avenue, which connects the Hangzhou Railway Station and the West Lake, wiped Yongjin Road, Yangbatou, Yingmenkou, Dajingnong and 20 other historical streets, off the surface of Hangzhou.

The disappeared allies and streets became missing pieces of Hangzhou, a city with 2229 years of history.

Authorities realized the significance of heritage protection. In the year 2004, historical alley and street reservations were on the top agenda of Hangzhou Municipal Government.

Last year, the Confucius Temple was reopened after renovation. A nearby alley changed its name from Labor Alley back to Fuxue Alley, which means an institution for study, to honor the renovated temple.

In Gongshu District, Wanwu bridge alley and Xugong alley, were relocated and restored. “We moved in here in 2008,” said Ms Li, a resident in the area, “there is a story behind every alley and street in Hangzhou. The restored allies and streets will be living history of this city. We’re very proud of our community and this city.”

By Li Hui

Editor: Xie Fang