Above is Heaven, below is Hangzhou

04-22-2006 3:43 EST (0148 GMT)

"Above is Heaven, below is Hangzhou." The above Chinese saying pretty well describes the famous city.

Praised by Marco Polo as "the most noble city and the best metropolis in the world," Hangzhou is one of the most beautiful places in China. A pleasant city endowed with beautiful gardens and water, the ancient capital of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), Hangzhou is famous for its cultural heritage and is on top of every tourist's itinerary.

Located on the lower reaches of the Qiantang River in East China and 180 kilometres from Shanghai, Hangzhou is the capital of Zhejiang Province and its political, economic and cultural centre.

Sights to see

West Lake, undoubtedly the most renowned attraction here, blends natural, historical and cultural attractions. Solitary Hill, the Mausoleum of General Yue Fei, the Liuhe Pagoda and Lingyin Temple are the other frequently visited sites.

The "10 West Lake Prospects" have been specially selected to give the visitor outstanding views of the lake, mountains and monuments. Here are just a few of them:

Lingyin Temple: It is said that in 326 AD, a monk named Hui Li came to Hangzhou and found the valley ideal as a retreat with its quiet surroundings and wooded hills on three sides. He built a temple here and named it Lingyin Temple, or "Temple of the Soul's Retreat." It consists of 9 huge buildings, 18 pavilions, over 72 halls and 1,300 rooms.

It is home to China's largest sitting Buddha statue, 19.6 metres high and carved out of 24 pieces of camphor wood and gilded with gold. The scent of burning incense here clears a clouded mind and makes one feel calm and at ease.

Liuhe Pagoda, or Pagoda of Six Harmonies: One of the most prominent wood-and-brick structures of ancient China, the name of the pagoda is related to the six codes of Buddhism, meaning "harmonies of the heaven, earth, north, south, east, and west." The 61-metre-high pagoda was first built in 970 AD by the king of the Wuyue State, who wanted to demonstrate his authority over the Qiantang River.

The pagoda fell into ruins and went through reconstruction many times before being listed as one of the key national cultural heritage sites in 1961. Commanding a spectacular view of the Qiantang River tidal bore, the pagoda presents a quiet image of age-old majesty.

The original pagoda had nine stories with a light at the very top, also serving as a lighthouse. There are various sorts of stone tablets and stone statues both inside and out of the pagoda, left over from times past. Moreover, the Centre of Ancient Chinese Pagodas has opened near here, featuring all kinds of ancient pagodas erected in different areas and different dynasties.

Tea, Silk and more

A number of national museums are to be found in Hangzhou. Fine examples are the National Silk Museum and Tea Museum.

Since the Tang Dynasty (618-907), silk products from Hangzhou have found their way all over the world. The National Silk Museum is the first Chinese national museum to be dedicated to silk culture and is the largest of its kind in the world.

A similar museum dedicated to tea, the National Tea Museum located at the West Lake Longjing (Dragon Well) Tea Plantation, provides a fascinating insight into the history and production of Chinese tea. Hangzhou of course, is well-known for its famous Longjing (Dragon Well) Tea.

And don't forget to taste the local delicacies. Hangzhou dishes are noted for their elaborate preparation, sophisticated cooking and refreshing taste. It is recommended that one should try Beggar's Chicken (a chicken baked in clay), West Lake Fish in Sweet Sour Sauce (fresh fish caught from the lake and coated with vinegar), Dongpo Pork (braised pork) and Fried Shrimps with Longjing Tea.

Shopping in Hangzhou is exciting. Tourists like to go to Qinghefang Street, one of the most famous and historic streets in the city with many features from the Southern Song Dynasty period. You can admire the ancient buildings while purchasing items from a wide range of local goods such as silk, tea or maybe even a silk parasol, brocade or a beautiful Hangzhou fan.

At night, Hangzhou has much to offer and teahouses and various kinds of pubs are both plentiful and popular. Choosing one overlooking West Lake for a pleasant chat over a cup of tea is a great way to unwind after a busy day.

Today's Hangzhou is an elegant, modern and vibrant city, with enough charm to keep any visitor enthralled for days, especially during the World Leisure Expo being held in the city from today to October 22.

Source: China Daily

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