On one of my trips to China I wanted to visit Hangzhou. I
flew into Shanghai Airport and took the Maglev into Shanghai City. That is the
trip I took to Shanghai where I stay at the highest hotel of that time, The
Grand Hyatt. I stayed there a couple nights before departing for Hangzhou.
There is high speed rail between Shanghai and Hangzhou so the trip took a
little over an hour with one stop on the way. One thing I remember of the short
ride was that a mother asked me if I could talk to her daughter who was about 8
years old. See wanted her daughter to practice the English she was learning in
school. I was happy to do so. In my travels in China I have found the Chinese
very friendly and am curious about anything in the western world. I have been
asked many times by parents to talk to their children. In Zhangjiajie Park I was even asked if
people could take their picture with me as I stood out.
Hangzhou has many attractions, from the Silk Market to West
Lake to the Pagodas to Longjing Tea. I had wanted to see as much of China as I
could and Hangzhou was on the list. Hangzhou is in the Yangtze River Delta and
because of this has been a very prosperous city. What I found was a very
tranquil and slower pace than I had seen in other parts of China. If you really
want to relax then go to West Lake or the area where they produce Longjing Tea.
It was a welcome change of pace. I have a lot of pictures to show you how
beautiful the area is.
Where to stay:
I stayed at the Crowne Plaza Grand Canal. It is centrally
located and within walking distance to the Silk Market and restaurants. I like
staying at an internationally known hotel as you usually will not get
surprises.
Attractions:
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West Lake is a very serene, peaceful, historical area of
Hangzhou. I took a small boat ride out on the lake which took me to the
causeway and iconic views of the lake. The back of the one yuan bill depicts a
scene from West Lake.
From the lake you can see different pagodas. You can’t
help but feel relaxed as you glide across the lake. I would highly recommend
it.
The Liuhe Pagoda or Six Harmonies Pagoda is alongside the shore
of West Lake. The original pagoda was built in 1165. It is a historical site
built on the site of the original pagoda that collapsed in the 1920’s. They
built a newer pagoda there with each floor showing the history of the site and
Hangzhou. In the basement you can see what remains of the original pagoda.
There are other pagodas in the area like the Baochu Pagoda
that are the originals and you can climb to the top floor. Take the time to visit them also.
Longjing translates to Dragon Well. A short taxi ride
outside the city and in the mountains is the area where they grow and produce
Longjing Tea. This area is a must see. Foreign dignitaries like the Queen of
England have been there to sample the tea. When I was there I was able to drink
from the Dragon Well and view the process of making the tea. Don’t expect to
see giant factories producing a massive amount of tea. What I saw was the tea
being produced in individual houses by one person. The tea is roasted before it
dries and therefore is not like other teas. This tea can be very expensive but
it is worth it. I paid $50 USA for a few ounces. It is the best tea I have ever
had. Before you buy they will be happy to let you sample as much as you want. Take
the taxi ride up there. It is worth the trip.
Shopping:
The Silk Market is an area in Hangzhou with many shops
dedicated to silk products. It is a pedestrian street of many blocks. If you
are staying at the Crowne Plaza it is about a block away to the right as you
walk out the main entrance. If you want to take home silk products then this is
the place to go.
Getting around:
Depending on where you stay the Silk Market may be within
walking distance. West Lake and the pagodas will be a taxi ride. To get to the
Longjing area it is definitely a taxi ride. Taxis are easy to acquire.
Please contact me with any question. My website is www.popsipedia.com , drop me an email.
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