Beautiful, breathtaking Hangzhou is the capital and pride of the Zhejiang Province. Being one of the seven Chinese ancient capitals, not only is the history and culture of this legendary city prominent, but its scenic landscapes and serene beauty will leave tourists in complete awe and wonder.

Highlights:
West Lake
The one thing in Hangzhou that struck me most was the tranquility of the famous West Lake, with its fascinating legends and myths that have surpassed time and dynasties. It is the backdrop of all the stories told to me as a little child, including famous legends like “The Lady White Snake” and “The Butterfly Lovers.” Surrounded by vast mountains and lush, misty forests on three sides and the flourishing city on one side, the lake provides an elegant mixture of wilderness, serenity, and modernization.

Song Dynasty Town
Another tourist attraction not to be missed in Hangzhou is the Song Dynasty Town’s singing and dancing performance. Hangzhou, being the capital of the legendary Song Dynasty, pays tribute to this ancient dynasty with traditional dancing, gorgeous, colorful costumes, dazzling laser lights, water displays, stunning backdrops, and a real cannon! The performance was the most memorable Chinese performance I have seen, and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it… Definitely a Hangzhou highlight!

Peak Flown from Afar
Other significant places I visited in Hangzhou were the Peak Flown from Afar and the Ling Yin Temple. The Peak Flown from Afar are actually grottoes with hundreds of Buddha statues carved into the stones, which were rather intriguing to me… they are simply ancient works of art.

Ling Yin Temple
The Ling Yin Temple, farther up the mountain from the grottoes, showcases huge gilded Buddhas, beautiful murals, and the highest copper hall in the world! At first I thought it may well be another tourist trap with “the highest in the world” and “the biggest in the universe” catchphrases, but mind you, this temple is worth visiting for its magnificence and grandeur alone.

Overall, Hangzhou can be enjoyed by cruising around the West Lake, strolling on the lakeside at dawn or dusk, hanging out at one of the many bars along the lake, watching the locals play a game of chess in the park, or simply lazing in the gardens. This peaceful city is undoubtedly the Oriental capital of leisure.

Quick Tips/Suggestions:
There are things I did not leave Hangzhou without: Sampling the traditional cuisine of Hangzhou, tins of Dragon Well Green Tea (the mother of all teas in China), a silk scarf (Hangzhou is not nicknamed “The City of Silk” for nothing), and a delicately carved sandalwood fan.

Another important note: When in Hangzhou, relax and unwind. Do what the locals do… do nothing.

Best Way to Get Around:
Local Guided Tour
It is best to visit Hangzhou with a guided tour. That way, you can visit all the popular tourist spots and restaurants and don’t have to worry about getting around or not speaking the language.

Buses
If you’d rather stay independent, the buses in Hangzhou are abundant and come in various kinds: common buses, air-conditioned buses, medium-sized buses, double deckers, and tour buses. Stops are reported in both Chinese and English, with prices ranging from RMB1(common) to RMB5(tour).

Taxi
Taxi services are also available in Hangzhou and are charged according to meter. The first 4km costs RMB10.

As in most cities, rush hour is from 7 to 8:30am and 5 to 6:30pm, so try to stay off the extremely crowded buses and limited taxis during these times.