Monday, May 29, 2023

Top 10-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Hangzhou

 Called "Hangchow," Hangzhou, the southernmost city along China's famed Grand Canal, serves as Zhejiang's province capital. With 1,776 km connecting the city to Beijing, this magnificent UNESCO globe Heritage monument is the longest canal in the entire globe. Hangzhou is one of the most well-liked tourist places in the nation and a fantastic site to start examining Eastern China's rich cultural past because of the canal and its position at the foot of a gorgeous mountain range.

This vast city's downtown is thought to be more serene than many of China's other big towns due to its numerous pagodas, attractive bridges, and several antique shrines and temples. The gorgeous West Lake is the centre of the downtown. Marco Polo referred to Hangzhou as the most beautiful city in the entire globe.

Because of its long history of producing the fabric, which is still done in the city's numerous silk mills and markets, Hangzhou is also known as the Silk City. In addition to its silk production, the city is today well known for its renowned Dragon Well tea (lóngjing chá), which is hand-picked twice a year and honoured in a variety of beautiful sights.

Our extensive selection of amusements and entertaining activities will allow you to learn even more about Hangzhou.


1. Check out the famous West Lake bridges. 


The picturesque West Lake (X H), which is surrounded by a large portion of the city's oldest area, is the highlight of every vacation to Hangzhou. This vast lake, which is around six square kilometres in size, is divided into five portions by the Su and Baidi Causeways. Historic temples and hills surround it. The Outer Lake (Wai Hu), North Inner Lake (Beili Hu), West Inner Lake (Xili Hu), South Lake (Xiaonan Hu), and Lake Yue (Yue Hu) are the lakes that make up these portions.

One of the most recognisable landmarks in West Lake is the Su Causeway, a roughly three kilometre long bridge constructed in 1089. It connects the north and south banks of the lake and is particularly well-liked for strolls in the spring when its flowerbeds and peach trees are in blossom. It's a wonderfully soothing picture to take in when sailing over the lake.

The Broken Bridge (Duanqiao), which connects the Baidi Causeway and the beach, is one of the several magnificent historic bridges that can be found there. The Pavilion of the Cranes, which was constructed in memory of the poet Lin Hejing's nearby grave in the year 1300, and the Pavilion of the Autumn Moon (Pinghu Qiuyue), both of which were constructed in 1699, are other notable structures. In 1028, Lin Hejing went away.

A visit to Little Paradise Island, which has four miniature lakes connected by the zigzagging Bridge of the Nine Arches and is well-known for its terraces, pavilions, and water lilies, as well as the 50-acre Isle of the Hill of Solitude (Gushan), all of which date back to the 12th century, are recommended.

The West Lake Museum, which is open to the public and contains many displays about this significant body of water and its impact on the city, is another notable location in the area. Not to be missed is the entertaining West Lake musical fountain show, which starts every evening at 7.

Location & address: Hangzhou, Shangcheng District.


2. Visit Yue Fei Temple and the General's Residence

Visit Yue Fei Temple (Yuewang Temple) if you only have time to see one of the several exquisite architectural wonders on West Lake. This magnificent ancient temple, which can be seen at the northern end of the Su Causeway, was constructed in 1221 in honour of the highly esteemed General Yue Fei. Despite the fact that he had stopped multiple Tartar raids, he and his son were executed in 1142 after being wrongfully charged with high treason. He was later exonerated of the accusations and reinterred at the location of the temple erected in his memory.

A statue of Yue Fei in the Temple Hall, which features a lavishly adorned ceiling with cranes as a symbol of immortality, is one of the highlights of a tour. A stone celestial globe from the Five Dynasties (907-960), which is one of 86 stone plaques with ancient Confucian sayings engraved by Emperor Gaozong and his wife, is the most important object.

The adjoining 500-acre Hangzhou Botanical Gardens are also worthwhile exploring. Since its founding in 1956, it has grown to include more than 4,000 distinct plant species, a magnificent herb garden, and numerous varieties of bamboo.

Address: Xihu, Hangzhou, 80 Beishan Road


3. Liuhe, Leifeng, and Baochu all boast three exquisite pagodas.

The beautiful Liuhe Pagoda, sometimes referred to as the Pagoda of the Six Harmonies, is located on the north bank of the Qiantang River just eight kilometres south of Hangzhou and is well worth the short drive to see. The current building's original historic brick core was preserved during construction and was coated in wood in 1899. Its beginnings can be found in the old pagoda, which is thought to have stood 150 metres tall and served as a lighthouse in AD 970. It's amazing to see the various pagodas that have been reproduced from all throughout China.

Without a doubt, the climb up the skyscraper's stairway is rewarding. You'll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the 1937-built, 1,322-meter Qiantang River Road and Rail Bridge. Both the beautiful five-story octagonal Leifeng Pagoda (Léi Feng Ta), which overlooks West Lake and was built in AD 975, and the historic stone Baochu Pagoda, positioned atop Precious Stone Hill, are well worth a visit.

China's Xihu is in Hangzhou.


4. The Peak that Flew from afar and The Lingyin Temple

The Lingyin Temple, also known as the Temple of the Soul's Retreat, is one of Hangzhou's numerous notable historic landmarks. One of China's most well-known Buddhist monasteries, it was established in 326 BC. You should include the 20-meter-tall Buddha statue constructed of 24 pieces of camphor wood and wrapped in gold leaf that is housed in the 34-meter-tall Sumptuous Hall of the Great Hero (Daxiong Baodian), which is well-known among pilgrims. The Four Celestial Kings and other beautiful sculptures from the 12th century are also shown.

The Peak That Flew from Afar (Feilai Feng) is also noteworthy in this regard. There are 380 Buddha statues from the 10th century hidden in the crevices and caverns that dot this lovely hillside. The east wall of the Qinglin Cave contains the three earliest examples of them, which date to AD 951. The North Peak (Beigao Feng), which offers stunning views of West Lake and the surroundings, is located to the north of the Temple of the Soul's Retreat.


5. The Dragon Well and Longjing Tea

The well-known Hangzhou-produced Longjing tea (lóngjing chá) is named after a small settlement three km southwest of West Lake. A charming town close to Hangzhou is called Longjing, which translates to "Dragon Well" in its original Chinese. It is surrounded by some of the most stunning terrain in China.


The opportunity to taste traditional teas directly from the source, the Dragon Well, a historic spring that supplies water to the community's well, is one of the attractions of a trip to the town and its several plantations. One of the tea factories, where the freshly harvested tea leaves are processed, filtered, and packed, is visible on tours.

A visit to the spectacular China National Tea Museum (Zhngguó Cháyè Bówùgun) is also highly advised. One of the attractions of a visit is taking in the various exhibitions about tea manufacturing and the history of the various rituals associated with its use. Visit the fantastic viewing platform to witness the stunning vistas, which have been made even better by the inclusion of a tea-tasting experience.

88 Longjing Road, Xihu, Hangzhou, Zhejiang is the address.


6. Examine the Ancient Street of Qinghefang.

If at all possible, schedule some time to see Hangzhou's breathtaking old quarter, which is centred around Qinghefang Ancient Street (qing hé fang gu jie). This constantly packed and largely undiscovered neighbourhood, which is only a short stroll from West Lake, offers a taste of what life would have been like in ancient Chinese towns.

The region is a hive of creative activity, with a number of street artists demonstrating ancient writing and artistic styles, in addition to its many historic restaurants and teahouses. Intriguing market stalls and boutique shops are also plentiful, selling everything from silk goods to tea (Longjing, of course).

It would be wise to examine a few of the numerous, unaltered side streets that branch off Qinghefang. You'll get an interesting peek into the past of Chinese artisans and craftspeople as a reward if you comply.

The location is on Hangzhou's Hefang Street.


7. The National Silk Museum of China.

In addition to being the location of several marketplaces, shops, and establishments devoted to the arts and culture, the city of Hangzhou is well-known for its renowned silk. However, the exquisite Chinese National Silk Museum is the greatest place to find out more about the effects of this illustrious industry on the city.


Near West Lake, this remarkable museum—the largest of its kind in the world—offers a plethora of enthralling exhibits on the evolution of the most significant fabric in the nation. Both its production and the myriad things manufactured from it are highlighted in the exhibits. Several silk-based artefacts, including clothes and clothing items, as well as exhibits demonstrating the importance of silk as a trade good and the renowned Silk Road are among the highlights.

Address: Xihu, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 73-1 Yuhuangshan Road.


8. Climb Stunning Mount Mogan

Mount Mogan (Mgànshan) is one of the top day trips from Hangzhou and is easily reachable via tour buses and other modes of public transportation. A legendary pair who lived here in the fifth century BC gave this enormous mountain, which lies 50 km to the northwest of the city and reaches to a height of 719 metres, its name. Two outstanding blacksmiths dedicated their entire lives to creating two superb swords for the emperor.


The mountain, a well-liked retreat for the country's social elite, was home to even Chiang Kai-shek. The mountain is appreciated nowadays for its exceptional natural beauty. In addition to sight-seeing, hiking and motorcycling are two more popular activities. Many pit breaks along way are taken at charming neighbourhood inns or smaller hotels situated in some of the older villas constructed in the early 20th century. The little town of Moganshan is an excellent place to start because it has a large selection of traditional restaurants and modern hotel options.


Location: Zhejiang's Deqing County


9. Examine Wuzhèn Water Village's Canals.

One of China's most well-known "water villages" is Wuzhèn, which is situated an hour's drive northeast of Hangzhou. Wuzhèn is crisscrossed by rivers that are both wide and narrow, giving the city the impression of a much smaller Venice. Every one of them is stuffed to the gills with massive boats that locals punt down the river while carrying everything from food and cattle to tourists.


This well-known tourist destination is made up of six distinctive districts, each of which concentrates on a certain aspect of the local culture. These include areas devoted to leisure and the arts, old houses, food, craft workshops, and business sectors.

The town is easy to explore because there are several, well-marked pathways that take you to the locations that most interest you. It's simple to lose hours exploring all of its bridges, walkways, and attractions (make sure to go on a boat ride). The Tongji and Renji Bridges, which are the two busiest crossings in the area, are famed for allowing views of one another via the other's arch.

Tongxiang, Zhejiang as the location


10. Only five kilometres.

 south of West Lake lies Running Tiger Spring (Hupáomèngquán), one of China's most well-known springs that is also known by the romantic name "Dreaming of the Tiger Spring.

A number of magnificent tiger statues have been erected in front of the healing mineral waters, which flow at an amazing 80 gallons per second, to commemorate the discovery. It is recognised for enhancing the flavour of the popular local Longjing tea, which is grown nearby and sold in a tea shop close by. To determine the incredibly high surface tension of the water, drop a little coin onto the surface and watch it float.


Location: 39 Hupao Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, and Xihu



No comments:

Post a Comment