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August 24, 2016

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Home » City specials » Hangzhou

Guide shares city’s best with English speaker

By Wu Huixin | August 24, 2016, Wednesday | Print Edition

HANGZHOU published its first travel guidebook in English last week. Called “Hangzhou at a Glance,” it includes travel stories from seasoned writers, helpful hints for visitors, listings of entertainment venues and cultural events and not-to-be-missed sightseeing destinations.

The book has sections tailored to the interests of history buffs, nature lovers, pilgrims, entrepreneurs, culture vultures, party-goers, foodies, shoppers, families, sports and book lovers. Today, Shanghai Daily delves into five of these sections.

Historians

The best part about Hangzhou’s history is that so much of it can still be seen, touched and experienced today. The route for historians is divided by time period and introduces visitors to the prehistoric Liangzhu Culture, West Lake relics and historic streets.

Liangzhu Culture is considered an early precursor to Chinese civilization. It was also one of the first cultures in the Yangtze River Delta region to work with jade. Prized artifacts from this culture include a jade axe and a jade cylinder, both of which represent the Liangzhu people’s understanding of the universe.

Throughout history, Hangzhou’s West Lake was protected by a group of literatus and kings, like Emperor Qian Liu, poet Bai Juyi and calligrapher Su Shi. During their protection efforts, they left ample relics which today illustrate this picturesque spot’s unique place in history.

If tourists want to experience ancient folk life, the restored Xiaohezhi Street along the Grand Canal is recommended. Black-roofed and white-walled houses flank the street. Today, these buildings house some “indigenous dwellers,” along with working food shops, blacksmiths and rice mills.

Nature lovers

Geology, tides and climate have all helped create the natural scenery of Hangzhou. Just as the city’s travel guide explains, Hangzhou’s environment is the product of “a millennia-old dance between mankind and the wild.”

There is a flower for every season in Hangzhou. In winter, the plum blossoms come out during the Lunar New Year, with the best viewing months being January and February. And when the plum blossoms start to fade, the peach blossoms pick up the slack.

In summer, the city’s lakes are ablaze with pink lotus flowers. West Lake boasts 14 cultivation areas, but the most popular viewing spots are Broken Bridge and Solitary Hill. During autumn, Hangzhou’s official flower, osmanthus, begins to spread its fragrant scent across the city.

Pilgrims

With its many temples, Hangzhou has long been as a focal point of Buddhism in southeast China. For centuries, the temples dotting the area southwest of the West Lake have attracted streams of pilgrims to burn incense and pray for health and fortune.

Must-visit spots include Lingyin Temple and the three temples at Tianzhu. Ever since the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms (AD 907-960), the Lingyin Temple has been known for its magnificence and its association with the royal court, prominent monks and intellectuals.

The three temples at Tianzhu are namely the Faxi Monastery, the Fajing Monastery and the Fajing Nunnery. They are less crowded than Lingyin Temple, but are believed to possess the Bodhisattva’s extraordinary blessing power.

In addition to Buddhism, Hangzhou also boasts a couple of Taoist spots like Zilai Cave, Fuxing Temple and Baopu Taoist Temple. Locals still practice the tradition of visiting the Jade Emperor Hill on the eighth day of Chinese Lunar New Year to pray for his blessing.

Churchgoers can visit the Chongyi, Tianshui, Sicheng and Gulou churches. During services on Monday mornings, these venues fill quickly. Muslims can go to Hangzhou Phoenix Mosque, known as one of the four most famous mosques in south China and is still a functioning site of worship today.

Entrepreneurs

Hangzhou’s booming e-commerce, logistics, service and hi-tech industries have become increasingly appealing to entrepreneurs who want their spot in the Chinese market.

Qianjiang Central Business Center aspires to be a magnet for new business. This CBD is the Hangzhou equivalent to Shanghai’s Lujiazui or Hong Kong’s Central.

Speaking of Hangzhou’s economy, people can’t avoid mentioning Jack Ma and his e-commerce giant, Alibaba. The mogul has based his business empire in Hangzhou’s Binjiang District.

“Hangzhou is the Eden of Alibaba,” Ma is quoted as saying in the guide book. “Without Hangzhou, there would be no Alibaba. Hangzhou gives me sustenance. ‘Hangzhou guy’ is practically written on my face.”

Culture vultures

Hangzhou has been home to some of China’s greatest poets, painters and philosophers. Today, the city still has a thriving arts and culture scene. Art aficionados can linger over paintings in Zhejiang Art Museum, the Nanshan and Xiangshan campuses of China Academy of Art, Inna Art Space and Pan Tianshou Memorial.

Visitors to Hangzhou can also appreciate a variety of operas and local entertainment, like Yue opera, Xiaorehun (Hangzhou’s homegrown opera, originated in the Qing Dynasty), Kun opera (listed by UNESCO as intangible heritage) and story telling.

For those craving a visual feast, “Impression West Lake” and “Romance of Song Dynasty” will definitely leave a deep impression of the city.

“Impression West Lake” is a poetic open-air performance during summer time with West Lake as its watery stage. It tells the local legends of Madam White Snake and Butterfly Lovers. “Romance of Song Dynasty” presents Hangzhou’s history from the dawn of civilization to the modern day with splendid dance, music and effects.

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