Hangzhou Brief Introduction Hangzhou is the capital of Zhejiang province and its political, economic and cultural center. With its famous natural beauty and cultural heritages, Hangzhou is one of China's most important tourist venues.The City, the southern terminus of the Grand Canal, is located on the lower reaches of the Qiantang River in southeast China, a superior position in the Yangtze Delta and only 180 kilometers from Shanghai. Hangzhou has a subtropical monsoon type climate with four quite distinct seasons. However, it is neither too hot in summer nor too cold in winter making it a year round destination. Local Culture Shopping and Food Entertainment Transportation Tourist Attractions   Local Culture If there is a heaven on earth then this is it! Noted for its natural beauty and cultural heritage, the city of Hangzhou offers a very special cultural experience, and with its charming West Lake, it attracts many tourists. It is here that the famous Grand Canal ends. The city is famed also for two major Chinese inventions - silk and tea; products you may wish to seek out during your visit along with other local goods. The city was much vaunted in his writings by the famous Italian explorer - Marco Polo. Leading attractions here include the Six Harmonies Pagoda, Red Carp Pond, the Lingyin Temple... these and more await you. Shopping and Food Zhejiang cuisine is one of the eight famous culinary arts in China. The fresh, tender, soft, and smooth dishes accompanied by its mellow fragrance have won for itself widespread reputation in the culinary world. Hangzhou dishes, being the most important part of Zhejiang cuisine, are noted for its elaborate preparations, sophisticated way of cooking and its most refreshing taste. It is not only delicious but extremely elegant in appearance also. The local specialties include Beggar's Chicken (an entire chicken cooked in a ball of mud), West Lake Fish in Sweet Sour Source (vinegar coated fish from the lake), Dongpo Pork (braised pork) and Fried Shrimps with Longjing Tea Leaves, and many others. Entertainment Hangzhou Longjing Tea (Dragon Well Tea) is considered China's best. It is not only famous for its unique green color, fragrant aroma, sweet taste, and flat appearance, but is also regarded as a health elixir. The tea falls into different grades; the best is the first pick of a year, normally in late March or early April. Besides its good quality, Longjing Tea also enjoys a famous long history. If you are interested in tea culture and history, Meijiawu Village in West Lake District is the ideal spot where you can have a cup of tea, watch a tea ceremony, and select tea under professional guidance. In addition to breath-taking scenery and unique handcrafts, Suzhou is rich in cultural heritage. Kun opera, Pingtan (a form of storytelling and ballad singing in Suzhou dialect) and Guzheng (a Chinese zither with 25 strings) are the traditional cultural arts of Suzhou and part of the locals' daily lives. Visitors can visit the Garden of Master of Nets at night to enjoy all three of these classical forms of entertainment. Folk music and dancing and six other artistic performances will provide lasting memories of Suzhou City.  Transportation Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH), located in Xiaoshan District about 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) away from downtown Hangzhou, has domestic flight connections with major Chinese cities, including Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Xian, and Guangzhou, and international connections with Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Bangkok, Seoul, Tokyo, and Osaka. National arterial railways connect Hangzhou with cities all around China. Trains from New Train Station or East Train Station reach more than 20 cities directly, including Beijing (1650 kilometers), Shanghai (200 kilometers), and Xian (1550 kilometers) and so on. Tens of thousands of passengers are carried every day. Many travel agencies and hotels will book train tickets. Tourists are encouraged to book soft sleeper tickets for long distance trips and soft seat tickets for travel to nearby cities such as Ningbo (170 kilometers), and Shanghai. There are four big shuttle bus stations in Hangzhou including East Bus Station, South Bus Station, West Bus Station, and North Bus Station. The convenient highway network can lead to Qingdao in Shandong Province to the north, Shenzhen in Guangdong Province to the south, Yichang in Hubei Province to the West, and Zhoushan to the East. Tourist Attractions Six Harmony Pagoda The Six Harmonies Pagoda is located on Yuelun Hill overlooking the Qiantang River, and south of West Lake (Xi Hu) and is one of the true masterpieces of ancient Chinese architectures. Originally the pagoda was built during the Northern Song Dynasty (386-581) by the ruler of the Wuyue State, a part of which became Zhejiang Province. The name 'Liuhe' comes from the six Buddhist ordinances and it is said that the reason for building this pagoda is to calm the tidal waters of the Qiantang River, and as a navigational aid. However, the pagoda was completely destroyed during a battle in the year 1121. West Lake Originally a shallow sea inlet, due to the laying down of silt this 5.68 square kilometers (about 1,404 acres) of water became the famous West Lake. With an average depth of just five feet the lake comprises five distinct sections. The largest part is known as the Outer Lake and it is bounded by the North Inner Lake, Yuehu Lake, West Inner Lake and Lesser South Lake. Held in the embrace of hilly peaks on three sides, this water wonderland has been an attraction for centuries and it is small wonder that it was a favourite imperial retreat. The lake and its environs have all the elements of a traditional Chinese garden but on a grand scale. The natural setting of strangely shaped peaks, serene forests and springs, dense foliage and a myriad of blossoms especially in springtime are enhanced by a treasury of sculpture and architectural features. Whatever the season, the panorama is pleasing to the eye and the nuances of light shade together with the moods of the weather present an ever-changing picture that justifiably has been described as 'intoxicating'. Linying Temple The presence of a temple on this site can be traced back to the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317 - 420AD) when, according to local legend, Huili an Indian monk came to the area where he was inspired by the spiritual nature of the scenery to be found here. To his mind this had to be a dwelling of the Immortals and so he gave the temple a name "Ling Yin (Temple of the Soul's Retreat). The Chinese name is translated into English as either "Temple of the Soul's Retreat' or 'Temple of Inspired Seclusion' for the setting has a quiet and beautiful grandeur that encourages a feeling of peace and for contemplation. Grand Canal The Grand Canal, 1,764 km (about 1200 miles) in length, is the longest man-made waterway as well as being the greatest in ancient China, far surpassing the next two grand canals of the world: the Suez and Panama Canals. Running from Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province in the south to Beijing in the north of China and connecting different river systems, the Grand Canal contributed greatly to ensure that the Chinese primary economy thrived in past dynasties. Now more than 2000 years old, some parts of the canal are still in use, mainly functioning as a water-diversion conduit. The canal we see today was built section by section in different areas and dynasties before it was linked together by the Sui Dynasty (581-618). In 604 AD, Emperor Yangdi of the Sui Dynasty toured Luoyang (now the city in Henan Province). The following year, he moved the capital to Luoyang and ordered a large-scale expansion of the Grand Canal. The primitive building techniques stretched the project over six years. Approximately half the peasant builders (about 3,000,000) died of hard labor and hunger before it was finished. This project was thought to have been wasteful of manpower and money, which resulted in the downfall of the Sui Dynasty. Wuzhen Water Town Wuzhen(about 75km away from Hangzhou) is one of six ancient water towns which located in south of Yangtze River with 1200-year-old history. There residential houses are built beside rivers, while on both sides of streets, abundant ancient architectures of Ming and Qing Dynasties still remain as they were. Strolling along the ancient slabstone-paved streets, looking at its black tiled, tung oil painted timber framework houses, it seems you are walking into a traditional Chinese wash painting and experiencing an atmosphere of antiquity. In Wuzhen you can pay a visit to Jiangnan Hundred Beds Showroom, Indigo-Blue Printed Calico Workshop, Mr.Yu Liuliang's Coin Display Room, Shadow-puppet Theatre, Ancient Stage, Pawn Museum, Visiting Lu Pavilion, etc. Drive back to Hangzhou after the visit.