Hangzhou lures tourists with culture and scenery

Though the Shanghai World Expo is coming to a close, tourism in neighboring Hangzhou has yet to drop off, reported local officials.

One of the better known attractions in the Zhejiang provincial capital is West Lake, popular for its scenic views.

Rain or shine, sunrise or sunset, the lake remains picturesque, noted locals. Its long history and place in folklore make it a destination for visitors and residents alike.

Five kilometers from West Lake lies Xixi national wetland park, the first of its kind in China to combine urban living and agriculture. Visitors are invited to boat, fish and pick water chestnuts.

Running past Hangzhou Bay, the Qiantang River boasts surging tides. A world-renowned natural wonder, the tides draw millions of people from home and abroad each year.

The spectacle takes place on the 18th day of the eighth lunar month, and according to one bystander, resembles raging armies clashing and rushing forward.

The mother river of Hangzhou is the man-made Grand Canal, dating back more than 1,400 years.

Larger than both the Suez and Panama canals, the waterway links Beijing and Hangzhou.

About 150 km west of the city's center lies Qiandao Lake, or Thousand Island Lake. Its more than 1,000 islets were formed in 1959 as a result of the construction of a hydroelectric power station.

The lake's Longchuan Bay features the largest and best-preserved secondary broad-leaved forest in East China.

With its verdant mountains and crystal-clear waters, the lake is a perfect place for people who want an escape from the bustling metropolis, said authorities.

In addition to its natural beauty, with its abundant water resources, Hangzhou has long been a cradle of Chinese civilization.

In Hangzhou's Xiaoshan district, archaeologists have unearthed pottery, bones, wooden implements and rice seeds dating back 7,000 to 8,000 years. In 2002, an 8,000-year-old canoe, the oldest ever recorded, was discovered in the area.

At the Liangzhu Museum in Hangzhou's Yuhang district, visitors can also view ancient relics.

Hangzhou was the nation's capital during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279).

Tourists can get a glimpse of the city's former glory by visiting Songcheng theme park. The park features a song and dance show entitled "Forever Love at Songcheng," well received for its engrossing plots and audio-visual effects.

Also of interest is a museum dedicated to the ceramic arts of ancient China. Established by local government officials, it commemorates the city's advanced porcelain kilns, once used by Song Dynasty artisans.

Nearby Tangqi, bordering the Grand Canal, was known in the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties as a "land flowing with milk and honey."

It recently topped the government's list of the 10 most famous towns south of the Yangtze. Much of its ancient architecture has now been restored.

Qinchuan, an ancient village by the side of Qiandao Lake, has well preserved traditional architecture, including temples, waterside pavilions and lofts. Two of its oldest structures were built in the Ming Dynasty.

Hangzhou has been one of the nation's key tea production bases since the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907).

A series of tea related events now take place in the city each year. Among them is the West Lake Tea Culture Expo held between March and May.

Famous for its emerald green color, aromatic flavor and sweet taste, Longjing (Dragon Well) Tea, is grown in mountainous areas along West Lake near Longjing Village.

The town's national tea museum is the only one of its kind in China. Visitors can learn about the history of tea growing and processing, as well as drinking vessels and customs.

Hangzhou has also long been affiliated with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is home to Huqingyutang, a pharmacy established in 1874, and one of the nation's better-known TCM stores.

Now, visitors to Hangzhou can explore the medicinal art and learn about the production of Chinese herbs in the Huqingyutang museum.

"Home of silk," Hangzhou is famous for its silk fabrics, clothes, scarves and ties, sold all over the world. Silk City, an outdoor pedestrian shopping area located at Xinhua and Jiankang roads, is the best place to buy quality silk at reasonable prices, said locals.