Hangzhou Travel Guide

Hangzhou is the capital of Zhejiang province and a sightseeing city that combines history and scenic beauty among the finest in China. Marco Polo, who visited in the 13th century, is said to have praised its beauty, and West Lake at the center of the city has been loved by writers and scholars since ancient times.West Lake was inscribed as a World Cultural Heritage site in 2011 as the West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou. The Bai Causeway and Su Causeway cross the water, and the lake shows a different face with every visit: peach and willow in spring, lotus in summer, the moon reflected on the water in autumn, and a coat of snow in winter. Strolling the shore, or viewing it from a sightseeing boat, is recommended.West Lake is not the only sight. Lingyin Temple in the west of the city is a Zen temple with a long history, and the grottoes of Feilaifeng are lined with Buddhist carvings. In Longjing village, a home of Longjing tea, you can look over the tea fields and taste the new season's tea. Hefang Street, which keeps traces of the Southern Song, is a pleasant walking street lined with traditional crafts and snacks.In food, Dongpo pork, West Lake vinegar fish and a stir-fry of Longjing tea with river shrimp are famous, and they can be savored along with the view at long-established restaurants by the lake. The air gateway is Xiaoshan International Airport, and Hangzhou East station is the rail hub, with high-speed trains linking the city to Shanghai and Nanjing. Savor West Lake through the seasons and the culture of Jiangnan at leisure.