Like Yin and Yang, Hangzhou, the capital city of the Zhejiang Province, has two sides. This historic city is a showcase for traditional medicine, religion and art as well as an example of China’s rapid economic development. Combining idyllic natural beauty, a grand heritage through the ages and an air of affluence, Hangzhou is one of the country’s most pleasant cities to linger in.

Facts

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1. West Lake

The Chinese are so mesmerized by this body of water that every scenic spot has a poetic name and a tale associated with it. Any local can point the visitor to the best spot to enjoy the dawn or the setting sun. The lake also takes on a different look each season and the best way to appreciate it in its splendour is to rent a bicycle and take a ride around.

2. Leifeng Pagoda

This 1,000 year old pagoda continues to capture the imagination of the Chinese for the story behind it - a snake spirit transformed into a beautiful woman who was imprisoned under the pagoda by an evil monk to keep her away from the man she loved. She was eventually released and this fable is retold on a wood carving on the third floor. The top of the five-storey pagoda is accessible by lifts and the view over the West Lake from here is amazing.

Address: 15 Nanshan Road, Hangzhou

3. Song Dynasty Village

Step back 900 years in time for a glimpse of life in Hangzhou during China’s Song dynasty. This is one of China’s largest dynastic theme parks, replicating the architecture and street scenes of that era. The entrance includes an evening song-and-dance show during which the performers are dressed in elaborate period costumes.

Address: 31 Hupao Roa

4. Pagoda of Six Harmonies

Pagoda of Six Harmonies stands on the bank of Qiantang River, just like a responsible general safeguarding the turbulent river. On top of this pagoda waits a magnificent view of the Qianjiang River Bridge, the first modern steel-structured bridge with combined railway and road functions, designed and constructed independently by China. The chief designer, Mr Mao Yisheng, is known as the father of Chinese modern bridges.

Address: 7 Tiantan Nei Dongli, Beijing

5. Evening Bell Ringing at the Nanping Hill

This is a favourite among east-Asian tourists. In old times, the temple bell resounded throughout Nanping Hill every day, heralding people to pray for good fortune at Jingci Temple. Gradually its fame spread as far as Japan. Emperor Kangxi once said that the temple rouses one into deep thoughtfulness and today the monks of Jingci Temple still adhere to their daily sutras-chanting and meditation.

Address: Huiri Mountain, Nanping Hill

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Hangzhou is famous for its traditional cuisine, hearty yet light on the palate. Some of the signature dishes are Beggar’s Chicken baked in fragrant lotus leaves, West Lake fish, which can be steamed or stewed, and Dongpo Pork stewed in soy sauce, a dish invented and named after ancient China’s most famous poet nine centuries ago. This is a divine dish where the meat is cooked to such tenderness it melts in the mouth.

1. Zhi Wei Guan Restaurant

An institution in itself, Zhi Wei Guan was founded in 1913, proudly claiming a history of almost 100 years. There is an old saying that people stop their carriage attracted by aromas from the Zhi Wei Guan restaurant and dismount from their horses. Today, the restaurant sticks to the concept of quality above all and with excellent service, it still ranks as the top restaurant in Hangzhou.

Address: 83 Renhe Road

2. Louwailou Restaurant

Louwailou, which literally means “a house set outside another building” in Chinese, is located at the foot of Gushan, near the beautiful West Lake. More than 150 years old, Louwailou has served many famous persons in history including China’s most famous revolutionary, Dr. Sun Yat-sen and the late Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai.

Address: 30 Gushan Road, Hangzhou

3. Zhangshengji Restaurant

Guided by ancient secret recipes and the principle that “food and medicine have the same origin”, Zhangshengji has invented various new dishes for all seasons, as good for the body as it is on the palate.

Address: 77 Shuanglin Road, Qingchun Road, Hangzhou

4. Hongni Chinese Casserole Restaurant

“Hongni” means “red earth” in Chinese and Hangzhou Hongni Chinese Casserole Restaurant engages in the traditional Chinese casserole cuisine, which combines the great taste of Hangzhou cooking with styles from other parts of the province.

Address: 144 Nanshan Road, Hangzhou

5. 1917 Garden Restaurant

This is a luxurious restaurant in a villa with nostalgic style, which mainly serves bird’s nest, abalone, shark fin and other extravagant gourmet dishes.

Address: 105 Nanshan Road

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The shopping is best along Yan´an Lu and Jiefang Lu. For native produce, Hangzhou is known for its Chinese silk products and there are special shops dedicated to it as well as an entire mall on Xinhua Lu. Another famous local product is tea and the most loved blends are Dragon´s Well and the more delicate White Chrysanthemum.

1. Zhang Xiaoquan Scissors

Zhang Xiaoquan Scissors have 300 years of history and are both famous and trusted domestically and abroad. There is astoundingly over 100 varieties and 400 specifications, ranging from the family scissors, industrial scissors, scissors for agricultural and gardening use, tailor scissors, hairdressing scissors, gift and souvenir scissors and collectors’ series.

Address: No. 225 Yan’an Road

2. Hangzhou Dujinsheng

Located at the poetic and picturesque West Lake, Hangzhou Dujinsheng Industrial Co. Ltd. was established in 1922 by the famous patriotic businessman Mr. Du Jinsheng. Initially, Dujinsheng was a family mill and later became the Hangzhou Dujinsheng Textile Factory. After more than 80, Dujinsheng has become China’s largest silk textile products manufacture and export firm.

Address: No. 519 Fengqi Road, Hangzhou

3. Wu Lin Road Fashion Street

Wu Lin Road is one of the main leisure and shopping spots for women’s fashion in downtown Hangzhou. This is a shopping haven that is 1 650 m long and streches from Qingchun Road in the south to Stadium Road in the north.

Address: Wu Lin Road

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1. Sofitel Westlake Hangzhou

Sofitel Westlake Hangzhou is located on the banks of the city’s famous West Lake, close to the central business district. It has 200 guest rooms, including suites. Half of the rooms boast stunning views of the legendary West Lake Avenue through large bay windows.

Address: 333, West Lake Avenue, Hangzhou

2. Zhejiang Xizi Hotel

Zhejiang Xizi Hotel is situated at the bank of the enchanting West Lake and the foot of the hill that holds Leifeng Pagoda. It is close to Jingci Temple and gives a good view of attractions like the Su Causeway, Three Pools Mirroring the Moon, Baochu Pagoda and more. With delicate pavilions, halls, chambers, towers, ponds and rockeries, the hotel stands apart from its competitors with a unique oriental style.

Address: 37, Nanshan Road, Hangzhou

3. Hangzhou Hotel

Hangzhou Hotel is conveniently located at the southern part of Wu Lin Square, 1 000 meters from the well known West Lake. The hotel is rewarded as “green hotel in the province of Zhejiang" and "Hangzhou 10 best star-rated hotels”.

Address: 546 Yan'an Road, Hangzhou

4. Best Western Hangzhou Hotel

Best Western Hangzhou Hotel is the first hotel from a global chain hotel group - Best Western International - in East China. Located near China’s first wetland park - West Brook Country Wetland Park, the hotel is easily accessible and have only a few minutes’ drive to West Lake.

Address: 511, Moganshan Road, Hangzhou

5. Tea Boutique Hotel

This boutique hotel has a strong tea culture incorporated into their rooms. If you are environmentally concious, you'll also be glad to hear that this hotel is "green and environmentally friendly".

Address: 124 Shuguang Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou

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1. Airport

Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport is located on the south bank of Qiantang River, 27 km away from the downtown area of Hangzhou and 15 km from Xiaoshan Town. A ride from the airport to Wu Lin Road Ticket Centre with the Airport-bus takes about 50 minutes.

2. Public Transport

There are two railway stations in Hangzhou, one is New Railway Station (Cheng Zhan), used as the main station and the other is East Railway Station, that serves as the terminus.

New Railway Station is near the Jiangcheng road and you can take K7, 11, K11, 151 to get there. The East Railway Station is near the Tiancheng Road and 20, 28, 31 and 48 buses can take you to it from downtown.

The public transportation is very good in Hangzhou and buses serve most tourist sites. There are also bicycle rentals, with a deposit, to enjoy a journey around the West Lake.

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