Vacation in Hangzhou China with Asian Vacations, Inc.

Hangzhou at a glance:

Location of Hangzhou, travel in China The cradle of the Chinese Civilization with a history of 2,200 years; regarded as "Paradise On the Earth" for its scenic beauty; also the provincial capital and center of politics, economy, culture and tourism in Zhejiang province. Location: located between 3016' north latitude and 12012' east longitude, on the southeastern coastline of China, bounded to the northwest and southwest by hills; to the northeast and southeast by Zhebei Plain. Neighboring Areas: Fujian, Jiangxi, Anhui, and Jiangsu provinces; Shanghai Municipality. Physical Features: various from hilly areas, featureless plains to water areas (including lakes, rivers and reservoirs) covering respectively 66%, 26% and 68% of the total. Population: 6.16 million. Urban Population: 1.75 million. Area: 16,596 sq. km. Nationalities: Han. Climatic Features: subtropical monsoon climate with mild and moist weather and four distinct seasons; about 115-120 days of summer, 110-120 days of winter; frost-free of 250 days. Average Temperature: 16.2C. Rainfall: annual average rainfall of 1,450mm. Total area: 16,596 sq. km (of which the city proper covers 429 sq. km).

General Information:

Hanghzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province, boasts a long history. State Wu, State Yue, and Southern Sung Dynasty (960-1279 AD) once built their capitals here, making it one of the six ancient capital cities in China. It is situated at the lower reaches of the Qiantang River and is the southern terminus of the Grand Canal as well. It is 180km from Shanghai. Originally a Neolithic site to the northwest, over the centuries Hangzhou became a small fishing village and eventually the capital of the province. When the Grand Canal was built between Hangzhou and Beijing, the city grew rapidly in importance and prosperity. From the 9th Century on, over a period of 237 years, 14 emperors chose Hangzhou as the capital city. The traditional local industry has been silk production, and Hangzhou's silk products have found their way to many parts of the world ever since the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). So did the elegantly fragrant high quality Long Jing tea. Traditional Chinese medicaments and chrysanthemum flower tea are among the noteworthy local products. Also crafted locally and known for the quality of material and high level of skill in their manufacture are Zhang Xiaoquan scissors, Wang Singji Fans, West Lake silk umbrellas, Du Jinshen brocade, Shao Zhiyan writing brushes, and Xiaoshan decorative lace and dancing shoes. Hangzhou is one of China's major tourist attractions, drawing both local and overseas visitors. On weekends, the city is deluged by Chinese day-trippers from Shanghai, Suzhou, and Wuxi. The magnet is the exquisite West Lake. Local folk customs: Hangzhou's southern folk customs are a blending with northern customs due to the large migration of people which occurred when the emperors of the Sung Dynasty fled south from Henan Province. People in Hangzhou have cakes made of glutinous rice during the Chinese New Year and hold a lantern show during the Lantern Festival which falls on the 15th day of the first lunar month. They pay particular respect to the dead during the Clear and Bright Festival in April; Buddhist pilgrims come from all over China for this event. They hold boat races during the Dragon Boat Race Festival on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month and eat mooncakes during the Mid-Autumn Festival on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. They watch the tide at the Qiantang River in August and climb to any of city's heights during the Double Ninth Festival on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month. Finally, the whole family gets together and rings the bell for New Year's Eve.

History:

As a prefecture existing from the start of the Qin dynasty; the capital of Wu Yue in the Five dynasties and the South Sung Dynasty (960-1279 AD). Hangzhou is a city with a rich history and culture, spanning back over 2,000 years. The city first made a name for itself in the 6th Century, when the Grand Canal opened up and linked the area to other centers of trade such as Suzhou. The Sung dynasty helped to make Hangzhou famous when they moved the imperial family here in the 12th Century. With its inviting views and outstanding scenery, the West Lake soon became popular with numerous artists, poets and painters seeking inspiration in this little bit of "paradise".

Travel:

By Rail: Hangzhou is an important communication pivot in southeastern China with railroad, highway, airway and waterway constituting a complete modernized communication network. The newly opened Hangzhou Railroad Station is the most advanced rail station in the eastern part of China. Shanghai-Hangzhou railroad, Zhejiang-Jiangxi railroad, Hangzhou-Ningbo railroad, Xuancheng-Hangzhou railroad join in Hangzhou, linking the national railroad network. Shanghai-Hangzhou railroad, Zhejiang-Jiangxi railroad, Hangzhou-Ningbo railroad are multi-track railroads. In 1996, rail speed on the multi-track was lifted from 35 miles (56km) to 60 miles (100km). According deluxe tourist trains have been put into operation making the original Shanghai-Hangzhou 6 hour trip as short as two hours. From Hangzhou, there is daily Direct Express Tour trains to Nanjing (No KC1/2), to Shanghai (No K3), to Wuxi (Y204). By Air: Connected with almost all the major cities in China, including Hong Kong, Hangzhou has a Grade-I civil airport where a daily Hangzhou-Hong Kong airliner shuttles to and fro, and Hangzhou-Singapore airline has been opened. Daily flights starting from Hangzhou are scheduled for destinations like Beijing, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Guilin, Kunming, Shenzhen, Wenzhou, Wuhan, Xi'an and Zhengzhou. Cargo can be air-ferried via Hong Kong, Japan and the U. S. to every corner of the world. A new international standard airport is being built in Hangzhou expecting to meet the ever increasing passenger and cargo volume. By Road: Shanghai-Hangzhou expressway and Hangzhou-Ningbo expressway are effectively used. Hangzhou becomes a highway hub to Zhejiang Province and neighboring provinces. The Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal has been connected with Qiantang River, constituting waterway transport web linking the rivers, lakes and seas all over the country. No. 2 and 3 Qiantang River Bridge, Genqiu cloverleaf junction, Zhonghe overhead road (part) have been built up and put into use. By the end of 1997, 2 bridge and 10 road projects were completed ahead of schedule. The five major communication projects that were to be built in 1998 were started in the end or 1997. The highway network in Hangzhou area have connected all the major cities and tour spots such as Shanghai, Suzhou, Wuxi, Ningbo, Nanjing, Putuoshan Mountain. The new highway underway of construction will connect Hangzhou and Nanjing( The capital of Jiangsu province) directly.

Cuisine:
Hangzhou cuisine is currently one of the most popular and fashionable styles of cooking throughout China and especially in neighboring Shanghai. A wealth of "Hangzhou" inspired restaurants have shot up throughout the country and the cuisine from this city has been elevated to a superior status. Hangzhou cooking is closely related to the local culture and characterized by natural flavor, beautiful presentation and a light and palatable taste. Dishes and pastries which would have once been served on pleasure boats sailing up and down the lake remain the main staple of the Hangzhou diet and recipes here usually contain a great deal of seafood including fish, shrimp, crab and oyster. Any dining experience in Hangzhou should include at least a few of the following local specialties: Beggar's chicken (an entire chicken cooked in a ball of mud), West Lake fish (vinegar coated fish from the lake) and braised pork and stewed shelled shrimp cooked in Longjing tea. There are some good restaurants in Hangzhou serving up this cuisine in nice settings and with style. Perhaps the best place is the Louwailou restaurant on Solitary Island, but there are other places dotted around. Late at night (i.e.. after 22:00) the area around Hangzhou's Fish Market really comes to life. This market is tucked just behind the lake on Yan'an Lu. It is a fun area and bursting with life. The fish is thrown out of the nets in front of the restaurants round here and diners can hand pick what they want to eat! It is very fresh and usually tasty and there is a really local and lively atmosphere about this place.

Climate:

Lying in the north fringe of the subtropical zone, Hangzhou is about 200km from the East China Sea. It has four distinct seasons. The average monthly temperature ranges from 3.8 C in January to 28.6 C in July, with an annual average of 16.2 C. The West Lake area is never without flowers. The rainy season lasts from March through June. The best weather tends to occur in the spring and autumn.

Attractions: ( = voted as the highly recommended attractions to visit)

(Vote for the top attraction - 5 = best)	5	4	3	2	1		5	4	3	2	1
Grand Canal						Jade Spring
Peak Flown from Afar (Feilai Peak)						Solitary Hill
West Lake						Lingyin Temple
The Liuhe Pagoda						Yellow Dragon Cave
Qiandao Lake						Hupao Spring
Three Pools Mirroring the Moon						China Silk Museum
China Tea Museum						Huqingyu Tang Chinese Medicine Museum
Mausoleum of General Yue Fei						Qiantang River
Shao Xing City						The China Silk Town
Tiantaishan Mountain						9 Creeks & 18 Gullies

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Tours:

West Lake Tour	Full Day Tour	By 08:30, our guide will pick you up from the hotel and begin the most picturesque tour of the renowned West Lake. First take a little walk along either the Sudi Causeway or the Baidi Causeway to experience the harmonious combinations of both natural and manmade beauties. Artists and poets have always been drawn here and have painted or sung of the beautiful landscape. You will be guided to take the cruise and visit each of the small island located either by the side or in the center of the Lake - Little Paradise Island, Three Pools Mirroring the Moon and Bay of Flowers with view of Golden Fish. Lunch will be served somewhere by the side of the Lake. See Notes
Hangzhou City Tour	Full Day Tour	Tour starts at 09:00 with the first stop at Xiling Garden to overview the West Lake and have a glimpse how the Hangzhou seniors enjoy themselves by playing chess or sipping teas in such an advantageous point. Ride next will be made to the Temple of Hidden Immortals (Lingyin), which is one of the biggest and most beautiful temples in south China. All major Buddha statues could be found in a successive order: the Four Heavenly Kings, Laughing Buddha (Maitreya) and Buddha Sakyamuni carved out of camphor wood with a height of 64ft (20m). After lunch being served, you will be led to visit the Flower Garden, well-known for the varieties of Bonsai well-trimmed inside. Afternoon tea will be served in the Tea Museum by 15:30. Hangzhou is also called the Hometown of Longjing Tea, which is one of the finest of Chinese Teas. See Notes
Shao Xing City Tour	Full Day Tour	Shao Xing, 40 miles (64km) away from Hangzhou, is a noted culture city with a history of over 2,400 years. The ride starting at 08:30 from the hotel lobby will last for 1.5 hours to get there. Applauded as the "Venice in China", Shao Xing has the most bridges of all Chinese cities. Crisscrossing waterways, lakes and ponds, curved stone bridges and canoes covered with bamboo awning combine to give it a look of fascination which is typical of towns in south China. Sightseeing today will reach the East Lake - model of traditional landscape, the Orchid Pavilion - "Sacred Home of Calligraphers", and the famous Tea House as depicted in the novel by Lu Xun (renowned revolutionary writer). Lunch in a local hotel. See Notes