Language:
ChineseExplore Hangzhou
Hangzhou is the capital of
Zhejiang Province and one of the
seven ancient capitals of China.
It was described by Italian
traveler Marco Polo as the
finest and most luxurious city
in the world. The West Lake
scenic area contains over 60
cultural relic sites and several
attractions of natural beauty,
and a cruise on the lake is a
good option to view several
sites. Hangzhou is also a good
place to visit a tea plantation.
Jinghang Grand Canal
Hangzhou West Lake
Lingyin Temple
Pagoda of Six Harmonies
Meijiawu Tea Culture Village
Hefang Street
History
One of the birthplaces of
Chinese civilization and ranking
among the seven ancient capitals
in China, Hangzhou stands out as
the "Famous Town of Southeast
China". The excavation of the
Kuahu Bridge site located in the
city's Xiaoshan district
indicates that as early as 8,000
years ago the place already saw
thriving human activities. The
5,000 year-old Liangzhu culture
is hailed by historians as "the
dawn of civilization". First set
up as a county in the Qin
Dynasty (221-206 BC), Liangzhu
has a past of over 2,200 years.
In the 9th year of Emperor Yang
Jian, founder of the Sui Dynasty
(581-618), the old Qiantang
County (today's Hangzhou) was
abolished and replaced by
Hangzhou (Hang prefecture),
marking the first appearance of
its current name. Hangzhou was a
marvel to 13th century Italian
traveler Marco Polo who called
it "the most graceful and
splendid city of the world".
Culture
Hangzhou boasts a long history
and great cultural wealth. Its
culture features the landmarks
of the city, like West Lake, the
Grand Canal and the Qiantang
River and embraces integration
and development in an open and
innovative era.
The West Lake Culture absorbed
the essence of local culture in
different epochs, such as
Kuahuqiao Culture, Liangzhu
Culture that dates back to 3310
- 2250 BC, Wuyue Culture, and
the cultures of the Southern
Dynasty (1127-1279), Ming and
Qing dynasties (1368 - 1644,
1644 - 1911) and the Minguo era
(1912-1949).
West Lake Culture covers a wide
range of elements, including
landscape, gardening, religion,
architecture, celebrities, folk
customs, the Silk Road, tea and
cuisine, all coming together in
delicacy and harmony.
The Canal Culture, which
integrates the specialties,
waterscape, local opera and
temple fairs, shows the
openness, inclusiveness and
popularity of Hangzhou Culture.
Qiantangjiang Culture is as
magnificent as the tidal bore of
the Qiantang River.
Geography & Climate
As the capital of Zhejiang
province and its economic,
cultural, science and
educational center, Hangzhou is
one of the central cities in the
Yangtze River Delta. It also
ranks among the first batch of
National Historical and Cultural
Towns crowned by the State
Council.
Located in the southern wing of
the Yangtze River Delta, at the
western tip of Hangzhou Bay, it
is the crossing point of the
extension of the Silk Road
Economic Belt and the 21st
Century Maritime Silk Road, and
a strategic hub along the Online
Silk Road. Situated at the
juncture of 29°11’-30°34' North
and 118°20’-120°37' East,
Hangzhou features a perfect
blending of hills and water, and
lakes and town, with its
harmonious rich water resources
of rivers, canals, lakes, sea,
creeks. Hilly or mountain areas,
largely concentrated in the
west, middle and south, account
for 65.6 percent of its
territory. Its plains amount to
26.4 percent, mainly found in
the northeast; and the surface
area of rivers, lakes and
reservoirs takes up 8.0 percent.
Hangzhou boasts the largest
reservoir in China's southern
coast -- Qiandao Lake.
Traversing the city is the
world's longest artificial canal
-- the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand
Canal, and the Qiantang River,
widely known for its spectacular
tidal waves.
Hangzhou enjoys a subtropical
monsoon climate with distinct
seasons, ample sunlight and
rainfall, more in spring and
autumn and less in winter and
summer.
More information, please visit
http://www.ehangzhou.gov.cn/.
Attractions
京杭大运河
杭州西湖
灵隐寺
六和塔
梅家坞茶文化村
河坊街