Attractions
Jinghang Grand Canal
The Jinghang Grand Canal, the longest and biggest canal in the world,
was first constructed in the late Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC).
Hangzhou West Lake
West Lake, located at the west of Hangzhou city, is one of the top ten
scenic spots in China and is among the first batches of national key
scenic sites. It is also the only lake cultural heritage from China that
has entered the World Heritage List.
Pagoda of Six Harmonies
There are three famous pagodas in Hangzhou, Leifeng Pagoda, Baochu
Pagoda, and Pagoda of Six Harmonies. Among the three, Pagoda of Six
Harmonies is known for its majesty.
Meijiawu Tea Culture Village
Meijiawu Tea Culture Village is located in the west of West Lake Scenic
Area. It‘s a village with a history of over 600 years. It is also the
biggest natural village where the world-famous West Lake Dragon
(Longjing) Well Tea is produced.
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/