Poetic and picturesque Hangzhou
Hangzhou locates at southeastern coastal China, downstream of Qiantang River. She is the capital of Zhejiang Province, the center of politic, economy, culture, finance and transportation. Hangzhou has long history and residents 4700 years ago as one of eight ancient capitals in China. There are many scenic spots in Hangzhou, such asthe most famous West Lake, Xixi Wetland, Thousands Island Lake, etc. Hangzhou got her reputation with Suzhou. There is a saying goes, just like there is paradise in Heaven, there are Hangzhou and Suzhou on the earth.
It’s a picturesque and poetic travel city in China, as well as her legendary story. Bai, who was snack spirit, came from afar to pay her debt of gratitude to Xu, who rescued her life a thousand years ago. She finally found him at the Duan Bridge on West Lake. They spend a happy life though years. However, love relationship between spirit and mortal was forbidden. Bai was punished and imprisoned into Leifeng Tower, nearby the West Lake. So, West Lake was a place she found her lover, also a place she had to finish her happiness. This story is loved by Chinese people until today. It is said that there is no lack of beautiful love story at West Lake.
West Lake has influenced poets and painters throughout the ages for her natural beauty and historical relics, and it has been among the most important sources of inspiration for Chinese garden designers, as evidenced by the impact it had on various Chinese classical gardens. It was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011, and was described as having "influenced garden design in the rest of Chinaas well as Japan and Korea over the centuries" and as reflecting "an idealized fusion between humans and nature."
In Hangzhou and nearby areas, travelers can visit West Lake, with cruise, walking leisure at Sudi Causeway, Leifeng Tower, Lingyin Temple, Six Harmony Pagoda, Imperial Street of South Song Dynasty, Former Residency of Hu, Chinese Herbal Museum of Huqingyu, Qiantang River, Xixi Wetland, Thousands Island Lakes. At night, you will enjoy the shows to Impression West Lake and grand shows in Song Dynasty Town.Generally speaking, two or three days are enough to cover those attractions.
Since Hangzhou is a large and advanced city in China, the transportation is very convenient. There are many daily bullet trains and normal trains from and back to Shanghai and nearby cities in Yangtze River delta. The fastest bullet train from Shanghai only takes 45 minutes. Lots of flights are coming from different destinations of China.There are also international flights from some cities in Southeast Asia to Hangzhou, such as Singapore, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur.
