Hangzhou Tourist Attractions

People will not neglect a famous Chinese saying when talking about Hangzhou, "Heaven Above, Suzhou and Hangzhou below", which vividly embodies the brilliance of this city. Well known for its natural scenery as well as its historical and cultural heritages, Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province, China, is one of the most important tourist cities that located along the southeast coast of this country. People endowed Hangzhou with many favourable nicknames such as "Paradise on Earth", "Cultural State", "Tea Capital", "Home of Silk", "Town of Fish and Rice", etc. which in different ways reflect this city's characteristics.

The city of Hangzhou covers a total area of 16,596 Km2 with a population of 6,776,400 (Dec, 2008), and is only 180 Km southwest from Shanghai. Its subtropical monsoon climate makes it neither too hot in summer nor too cold in winter, maintaining an average temperature of 17.5 °C and suitable for all-year tourism. It underwent profound vicissitudes of more than 2,200 years and has been one of the most prosperous cities in China for the last 1,000 years, serving in several dynasties as the seat of the imperial government, a center of trade and entertainment, and the hub of the major branches of the civil service.

As a result, there is an abundance of historical sites and scenic spots that characterize this city. The West Lake, for example, is the most famous feature of Hangzhou. The "Ten West Lake Prospects" are especially for the visitors to take fabulous views of the lake, mountains and monuments. Its natural beauty merges together with some other most frequently visited scenic spots nearby such as Lingyin Temple, Six Harmonious Pagoda and the Mausoleum of General Yue Fei.

In Hangzhou one can also experience colorful cultural life. It is estimated that Hangzhou city has about 51 museums, 16 theaters, 13 public libraries, 14 cultural centers, and 2 music halls, among which Huqing Yutang Chinese Medicine Museum, the National Silk Museum and the National Tea Museum are the most representative for the development of Chinese traditional culture and history in Hangzhou.

After taking in the fascinating views of this city, one can take a break and go shopping in the Night Market where various handicrafts are sold like many other cities; or enjoy a cup of Dragon Well tea or coffee in numerous teahouses and cafes along the West Lake bank.

• Air quality: ★★★★☆
• Foreigner-friendly degree: ★★★★★
• Public security degree: ★★★★☆
• Hygienic degree: ★★★★☆
• Traffic jam degree: ★★★★☆
• Internationalization level: ★★★★☆
• Consumption level: ★★★★☆

• Language: Mandarin, Wu
• Best traveling season: whole year
• Tourist resources: historic relics, culture, cityscape
• Airport to downtown: 27 km
• Demographics: Han (99.75%), minority groups (0.25%)
• Key words: scenic, West Lake, balmy, beauties, prosperous, foods, shopping, tea.

Local Delicacies: Dongpo Pork (Dongporou东坡肉), West Lake Fish in Vinegar Gravy (Xihu Cuyu西湖醋鱼), Wushan Hill Crisp Cake (Wushan Suyoubing吴山酥油饼), Noodles with Fried Eel Silces &Shrimps (Xiabaoshan Mian虾爆鳝面), Beggars Spring Chicken (Jiaohua Tongzi Ji叫花童子鸡), Stewed Fish Head with Tofu in Pottery Pot (Yutou Doufu鱼头豆腐), Fish Head Thick Soup (Yutou Nongtang鱼头浓汤), Hangzhou Sauce Duck (Hangzhou Jiangya杭州酱鸭), West Lake Water Shield Soup (Xihu Chuncai Tang西湖莼菜汤).

Local Specialities: West Lake Dragon Well Tea (Longjing Cha西湖龙井茶), Silk(Sichou丝绸), Fan(Shanzi扇子), Zhangxiaoquan Scissors (Zhangxiaoquan Jiandao张小泉剪刀), West Lake silk umbrella (Xihu Chousan西湖绸伞), Lotus Root Starch (Oufen藕粉), Tianzhu Chopsticks (Tianzhu Kuai天竺筷), Copy Guan Kilns Celadon (Fang Nansong Guanyao Qinci仿南宋官窑青瓷), Dujinsheng Brocade (Dujinsheng Zhijin都锦生织锦), Changhua Chicken Blood Stone (Changhua Jixueshi昌化鸡血石), West Lake Water Shield (Xihu Chuncai西湖莼菜), Hangzhou Chrysanthemum Tea (Hang Baiju杭白菊), Woodcarving (Mudiao木雕), Jinhua Ham (Jinhua Huotui金华火腿).

Useful lines:

• 杭州旅游咨询服务中心 Hangzhou Tourist Information Center
• 0571-96123
• 杭州市旅游委员会 Hangzhou Tourist Council
• 0571-87925051