Hefangjie is the oldest street in the historical and scenic city of Hangzhou. The 500-meter-long street is lined on both sides by ancient buildings dating back hundreds of years. They all feature white walls and black tiles, built in the typical style of traditional southern Chinese architecture. The street is a favorite place for both locals and tourists to escape the accelerated pace of modern life and take a stroll into the past.

Each morning the silence of Hefangjie is broken by the cheerful song of birds, as the street comes alive with the city?s bird-lovers. Many bring their pet birds every morning to the teahouses where they gather.

The Weiminglou Teahouse is one of the most popular. Even before the doors open at six o?clock, people are always waiting outside with bird cages in hand. Within an hour, all the tables are occupied by the regulars, sipping tea, nibbling on snacks, listening to the birds sing, watching them hop about, and exchanging bird stories. Many of them will stay here all morning.

Zhang is an old customer of the teahouse. He says，since he retired, coming here every morning with his birds is the highlight of each day.

?I like to take a morning stroll with my birds every day, but it?s a little boring all by myself. In the teahouse we all feel at home. Here I can meet and chat with all my friends. It?s a very pleasant experience. ?

36-year-old Ren Xianmin works in a joint venture company. Despite his busy work schedule, he is devoted to taking his pet birds to the teahouse early each morning. He says he feels refreshed by the birds? singing, which puts him in a good mood before starting the day?s work.

?I love birds. Their beautiful singing always makes me feel happy and light-hearted. I come to the teahouse almost every day, where I can see a variety of birds and listen to them sing. My birds can also make friends. They seem more cheerful when they get together with other birds. ?

Ren Xianmin says he usually has his breakfast in the teahouse and stays here until seven thirty, when it?s time to go to work. On the weekend, he often takes his birds to the nearby hills to put them in contact with nature.

Birds have become intimate friends with the locals in Hangzhou. Morning visitors to Hefangjie will not only be mesmerized by the bird-sung melodies, they will also be deeply impressed by the local harmony between bird and man.

(China Radio International July 30, 2002)