Research On Catering Industry Of Hangzhou During The Period Of The Republic Of China (1911-1937)

After the1911Revolution, thanks to geographic advantages and historical chances, Hangzhou witnessed rapid development of politics, economy and culture. As an industry that closely interrelated to citizens’ social lives, catering industry performed this unique development from a fresh perspective. In catering industry of Hangzhou during the period of the Republic of China, not only a lot of famous restaurants and dishes had appeared, but also many catering stories had left, which were happened when scholars or businessmen lived in or visited Hangzhou. The first West Lake Expo was held from June1929to October1929. It had a profound impact on catering industry of Hangzhou, promoted the development of traditional catering industry and the popularization of new eating habits. By means of investigation of catering industry of Hangzhou from1911to1937, this paper first generalizes about the background of catering industry of Hangzhou from the aspect of the building of the new transportation and the opening of the new market. Next emphatically analyzes the occasion of catering industry of Hangzhou during the first West Lake Expo. Then the paper chooses catering industry of Hangzhou in1931as a sample to perform the pattern of catering industry of Hangzhou after the first West Lake Expo in respect of restaurants’ operation, salesclerks’structure and customers’distribution. Finally summarizes characteristics of catering industry of Hangzhou during the period of the Republic of China, which are flexible operation mode, equal treatment service and diverse dining flavor. Through a comprehensive investigation of catering industry of Hangzhou during this period, it provides some assistances and references for us to have a better inheritance and use of historical and cultural heritage of catering industry of Hangzhou during the period of the Republic of China.