Hangzhou is the capital and largest city of Zhejiang Province in Eastern China.IT has a lot to offer visitors. The gorgeous city is dubbed as “Heaven on Earth” owing to its enchanting natural beauty and an abundance of cultural heritages. Of particular interest to numerous visitors is the exquisite West Lake(Xi Hu) where they get to enjoy beautiful gardens, the placid lake, reflecting pools, lakeside tea houses and lavish temples. The Lake though is completely man-made in the imperial garden style,offers a lot to its visitors. The water wonderland, which is held in the embrace of hilly peaks on three sides has for centuries been a water wonder and was oncea favorite imperial retreat.
While in the West Lake area, be sure to visit a number of attractions that include:
While in the West Lake area, be sure to visit a number of attractions that include:
- Spring Dawn at Su Causeway that includes six bridges and is heavily sheltered by green vegetation. Be sure to visit it in the spring time when the whole causeway is blanketed by peach blossoms hence creating an especially charming scene!
- The three miniature stone pagodas that act like beacons and are the centerpiece of the scenic spot known as “Three Pools mirroring the Moon”
- Nanping Mountain that is best visited at dusk, when the sun slowly sets and its softened rays cast their multi-colored reflection on the surface of the lake. This is also the precise moment when the huge bell of Jingxi Temple rings with a clear and forceful sound reverberating across the lake.
- Tune your ears to the beautiful singing of Orioles in the willows. Pay a visit to the Imperial garden and enjoy scenic surroundings as you listen to the beautiful songs of the Orioles that are surrounded by weeping willow trees.
- Museums such as the National Silk Museum and National Tea Museum that provide an insight into the history of Chinese traditional products.Six Harmonies Pagoda(Liuhe Pagoda) Which is located on Yueln Hill overlooking the Qiantang River and south of West Lake and provides for some of ancient China’s true architectural masterpieces.
- Solitary Hill which is the only natural and biggest island in the Lake, itis located at the northwestern corner and boasts of beautiful landscapes and a number of cultural relics such as the Wen Lan Pavilion, Zhejiang Museum and Zhongshan Park.
- Temple of Soul’s Retreat (Lingyin Temple) which is a source ofgreat information for those who wish to study aspects of Chinese Buddhism in details.
- The Thousands islets Lake with itscrystal clear water and picturesque surroundings and historic finds such as the two ancient towns that date back over 1,800 years, which were discovered under the lake in 2002.
- Anji bamboo forests with wonderful hiking opportunities in its lush and calm environment.
- Wuzhen Water Town which is one of China’s ancient water towns, with waterways threading their way through the flagstone streets and alleys. Attractions you can see while in the area include the Taoist Temple(Xiuzhen Guan), the former residence of Mao Dun(a respected writer in modern China), the Roofed corridor which a 1000-meter long roofed corridor that runs along the bank of the river and the ginkgo tree that is said to be over 1,000 years old.