Hangzhou Travel "The City of Heaven"
Hangzhou is the "City of Heaven" and is beyond dispute the finest and noblest in the world, according to Marco polo, the great Italian traveler. Now it is renowned for its historic heritage and natural beauty and known as the most beautiful city in China. Hangzho is located in the northeast of Zhejiang Province, China. It is the capital of the province as well the provincial economy, politics, education and culture center.
Hangzhou was among one of the six ancient capitals (along with the present Beijing, Xian, Luoyang, Kaifeng and Nanjing) in Chinese history. In the times of Wu & Yue and Southern Song Dynasty, Hangzhou reached its prime in terms of economic and political development.
A Hangzhou travel is regarded as an experience of the beautiful southern China's scenery and its rich historical heritage. One of Hangzhou's most popular sights is West Lake. The lake covers an area of 6 square kilometers and includes some of Hangzhou's most famous historic and scenic places. The area includes historical pagodas, cultural sites, as well as the natural beauty of the lake and hills. There are "Ten Scenes of the West Lake", a collection of ten scenic views formed during the Southern Song Dynasty. They are distributed around and within the lake, and serve to show the charms of the West Lake through a use of varying locations, varying seasons, and varying times of day. Each scene is unique, and when taken together, are said to present the essence of West Lake scenery, and form the core of any West Lake tour. Following you will have a chance to appreciate the tea ceremony art in the Tea Plantation. For the rest of the day enjoy your free time to explore this heavenly beautiful city.
Lingyin Si (also Soul's Retreat Temple) is believed to be the oldest Buddhist temple in Hanghou, as well as one of the largest and wealthiest in China. Like most of the other landmarks in Hangzhou, Linyin Temple has witnessed numerous destructions and reconstructions. Nowadays, this temple is thriving as a destination for both pilgrims and tourists, home and abroad. It features a large number of grottos and religious rock carvings, the most famous of which is the Feilai Peak ("the peak that flew hither").
Hangzhou is also well known for its fame in silk industry and tea plantation. Hangzhou silk is best in the world since the past 1000 years from Tang Dynasty. Silk products are vast in Hangzhou, among which the Hangzhou Satin is the most famous and successful export products. The layered weaving process is labor intensive and produces fabulously luxurious fabric that feels great next on the skin. For visitors coming to Hangzhou, tailors are available everywhere who make dresses, shirts and other clothing from silk and satin, just within several days.
The West Lake Dragon Well Tea, grown on the hills surrounding the city, is Hanghzou's specialty. It is also called Longjing Tea, one of the best green teas in China. Dragon Well Tea is most famous for its unique fragrance and flavor; flat, slender strips of tea leaves in bright green liquid. Furthermore, Dragon Well Tea aids one's health in many ways regardless of your age. It is used to deter food poisoning, refresh the body, stop cavities, fight viruses, control high blood pressure, lower the blood sugar level, and to prevent cancer. Hence, Dragon Well Tea is regarded as the elixir for health and is widely sold and accepted all over the world.
Hangzhou Cuisine is the representative of Huaiyang Cuisine (in Zhejiang Province), one of China's eight cuisines. Hangzhou Cuisine is featured for freshness, tenderness, softness, smoothness and sweetness of its dishes with mellow fragrance. Famous dishes like West Lake Sour Fish, Dongpo Pork, Longjing Shrimp Meat, Jiaohua Young Chickens, Steam Rice Flower and Lotus Leave Wrapped Pork, etc. are widely known and loved home and abroad.
The climate in Hangzhou is humid subtropical with three distinctive seasons. The best time for the enjoyable Hangzhou tours is from spring to autumn.
Here is normal Hangzhou Highlight Tour that is from China Connection Tours:
Day 1 Hangzhou Arrival
Arrive in Hangzhou. Check into a hotel near the West Lake. Enjoy your free time around the lake.
Day 2 Hangzhou city tour with lunch.
Today you visit the beautiful West Lake by boating. After lunch for Hangzhou dishes in a local restaurant, you will visit the Lingyin Temple and Feilai Peak and then the Six Harmony Pagoda. Of course you won't miss the Tea Plantation visit to enjoy the famous Dragon Well Tea.
Day 3 Hangzhou
Depart from Hangzhou, ahead for next destination.
By : Eric Xu with China Connection Tours
