Hangzhou

Hangzhou, China

Hangzhou is one of the two Chinese cities billed as “Paradise on Earth”, with the other one being Suzhou around 150 kilometers away. The wisdom of the decision by the organizers of the G20 Summit, the 2018 FINA World Swimming Championships and the 2022 Asian Games to host these events in Hangzhou is quite apparent.

The area became a town over 2200 years ago. It was frequently chosen as the seat of government of different regional kingdoms over the centuries and today, replete with historical sites, is widely recognized as one of China's seven ancient capitals.

The capital of southern China's Zhejiang province is synonymous with the legendary poetic West Lake. Silk and tea are among the most prominent local products.

See and Do

• West Lake

  The jade-hued liquid gem is a household name in China because of not only its enchanting sceneries, but also its association with the legendary tear-jerking love story of a young scholar and a snake. The 6-square-kilometer lake is nestled amidst three lovely hills. In the morning, when it's wreathed in a thin mist, take a stroll along its weeping willows-lined promenades and poetic attractions come into sight one after another. Along the way are also graceful gardens and welcoming temples.

• Xixi

  It's a peaceful 11-square-kilometer wetland park containing fishing wharfs, ponds and marshes. Boat rides pass dense shrubbery on the shores.

• Food

  Hangzhou's fare tends to be light and sweet. For visitors, top picks from a typical Hangzhou menu include Longjing Shrimp, Dongpo Pork and West Lake Vinegary Fish. Pianchuan, noodles topped with mushrooms and egg, is a savory favorite for most.

• Qiandaohu

  This 560-square-kilometer lake, in fact an artificial reservoir, is peppered with over 1000 green islets. It's part of a 982-square-kilometer scenic area which is also China's largest forest park. Most local food joints cook dishes using the freshwater fish from the lake.

• Qiantang River

  The biggest river of Zhejiang province is most visited for its panoply of huge, spine-tingling tides rising particularly on the 18th day of the 8th lunar month.

  
  
  
• Gongchenqiao

  The bridge is the endpoint of a 2500-year-old, 1797-kilometer ancient canal linking a number of provinces from Hangzhou all the way up to Beijing. On both ends of the bridge are museums devoted to the canal, umbrellas, fans and swords.