The Paradise City Hangzhou

Hangzhou is the capital of Zhejiang province and the provincial economic, cultural, science and educational centre. It is one of the central cities in the Yangtze River Delta. As a famous scenic tourist city, it ranks among the first batch of national historical and cultural cities. Located on the south side of the Delta region and at the western end of Hangzhou Bay, it is the extended intersection of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and a strategic hub along the Online Silk Road.

Hangzhou History

One of the birthplaces of Chinese civilisation and a famous prefecture of the Southeast in history, Hangzhou ranks among the seven ancient capitals of China. First established as a county in the Qin dynasty(222BC), it has a history of over 2,200 years.Hangzhou was described by the ltalian traveler Marco Polo in the 13th century as “the finest and most splendid city in the world” .

In recent years, Hangzhou has won a series of awards ：

the China's Top 10 Most Influential Cities,
China's Top 10 Most Innovative Cities,
China's Top 10 Smartest Cities,
China's Happiest City for16 consecutive years，
the World's Top 15 Model Cities for Best Practices in Tourism.

Hangzhou Food

Zhejiang cuisine is one of the eight major cuisines in China.Hangzhou dishes, an important part of Zhejiang food culture, represents an important style of Zhejiang cuisine. Famous Dishes Shrimp Meat with Longjing Tea Leaves,West Lake Vinegar Fish, Beggar's Chicken,Dongpo Pork, Braised Spring Bamboo Shoots,Hangzhou Duck in Brown Sauce,Stewed Duck with Dried Bamboo Shoots, West Lake Water Shield Soup,Sautéed Eel Slices, etc.

Three World Heritage Sites

West Lake Scenic Area

West Lake is the root and soul of Hangzhou. It is world-famous for its picturesque landscape, long history, profound culture and heritage sites. It is a culturally renowned lake with the most outstanding spiritual dwelling function in Chinese history, and the “Paradise on Earth” known both at home and abroad. The WLSA is surrounded by green trees, lush hills, bubbling streams and murmuring creeks,with different scenes in spring, summer,autumn and winter. In 2011,the West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou was included in the World Heritage List.

The Grand Canal Hangzhou

The Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal is an essential part of China's canal system. It is the longest and largest ancient canal and one of the oldest canals in the world. In the Hangzhou section of the Grand Canal can be seen various Qing dynasty houses with white walls and black tiles, connected by bluish-white-slab-paved lanes and alleys.In 2014,China's Grand Canal project was inscribed on the World Heritage List.

Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City

As it is the first Neolithic city site found in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, it has become known as “China's First City”.The peripheral water conservancy system marks the earliest large water engineering site ever discovered in China. Bearing testimony to the 5,000-year history of Chinese civilisation, the Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City was inscribed onto the World Heritage List in 2019.

Specialities from Greater Hangzhou

West Lake Landscape Tour

Leifeng Pagoda in Evening Glow → Viewing Fish at Flower Pool →West Lake Boat Cruise →Lingyin Temple （including Peak Flying from Afar)

Tea Capital Experience Tour

China National Tea Museum →Rediscovering Tea at Dragon Well →Meijiawu Tea Village →Jingshan Tea Ceremony

Southern Song Charm Seeking Tour

Southern Song Imperial Street →Dajing Alley →Hu Qing Yu Tang (Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine) → Jiangnan Copper House → City God Pavilion →Southern Song Dynasty Imperial Kiln Museum

West Lake & Xixi Wetland Eco-Tour

Orioles Singing in the Willows →Breeze-rustled Lotus at Quyuan Garden → Maojiabu Village → Xixi National Wetland Park

Water Town Discovery Tour

City → Wuzhen water town