Asia Travel Guide

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Hangzhou
Hangzhou is the capital of Zhejiang province and its political, economic and cultural center. With its famous natural beauty and cultural heritages, Hangzhou is one of China's most important tourist venues
The West Lake is undoubtedly the most renowned feature of Hangzhou, noted for the scenic beauty that blends naturally with many famous historical and cultural sites.In this scenic area, Solitary Hill, the Mausoleum of General Yue Fei, the Six Harmonies Pagoda and the Ling Yin Temple are probably the most frequently visited attractions. A number of national museums can be found in Hangzhou and are representative of Chinese culture. Fine examples are the National Silk Museum and Tea Museum. Along with the other museums in Hangzhou, they provide a fascinating insight into the history of Chinese traditional products.
Fact
Area Code: 86-571 Time Zone: GMT + 08:00 Electricity: 220V, 50HZ
Airport: Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH) Distance: 27 km from the city center
Average Temperature (oF)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
38.84 41.18 48.74 59.72 68.00 75.74 83.48 82.40 3.94 63.86 53.78 43.34
Tourist Attraction
Solitary Hill Island West Lake Ling Yin Temple Six Harmonies Pagoda
Mausoleum of General Yue Fei Fei Lai Feng
Other Attraction
Shopping: Meijiawu Village Qinghefang Street      
Night Life:          
Gala Event
 
Solitary Hill
Gu Shan, situated at the northwestern corner of West Lake, is 38 meters (about 125 feet) above sea-level, and covers an area of 300 mu (nearly 50 acres). It is the lowest summit, compared to other hills around West Lake, but it is also the biggest island in the lake, and the only natural island as well.
Gu Shan got this name because it is surrounded by water, standing solitarily in West Lake. It can also be called Solitary Island, fo rit is a lonely island; rather than a hill. Its other name: Plum Blossom Island, originates from the flourishing plum blossom planted on the hill.
Gu Shan boasts of beautiful landscapes. It is bordered by Bai Causeway on the east, Xi Ling Bridge on the west, the Outer West Lake on the south, and the Inner West Lake on the north. Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake, one of the ten scenes of the West Lake; is formed on the boundary of Gu Shan and Bai Causeway. Gu Shan is an ideal place to enjoy the beauty of West Lake.
Opening Hours: Whole day Recommended Time for a Visit: 1 Hours
    Distance to City Center: 0 KM
West Lake
Held on three sides in the embrace of hilly peaks, this water wonderland has been an attraction for centuries and it is small wonder that it was a favorite imperial retreat. The lake and its environs have all the elements of a traditional Chinese garden but on a grand scale. The natural setting of strangely shaped peaks, serene forests and springs, dense foliage and a myriad of blossoms especially in springtime are enhanced by a treasury of sculpture and architectural features.
Opening Hours: Whole day Recommended Time for a Visit: 1 Hours
    Distance to City Center: 0 KM
Ling Yin Temple
You will find Ling Yin Temple in a long, narrow valley between Fei Lai Feng (Peak flown from Afar) and North Peak to the northwest of the West Lake at Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province. The temple is without doubt a premier showpiece in the West Lake environs and is notable also as one of the ten most famous Buddhist temples of China. In 1961 the temple was listed for protection as a key provincial historical and cultural site and is considered a leading centre for research relative to Chinese Buddhist culture.
Opening Hours: 6:00am - 6:00pm Recommended Time for a Visit: 1 Hours
    Distance to City Center: 9 KM
Six Harmonies Pagoda
The Six Harmonies Pagoda is located on Yuelun Hill overlooking the Qiantang River, and south of West Lake (Xi Hu) and is one of the true masterpieces of ancient Chinese architectures. Originally the pagoda was built during the Northern Song Dynasty (386-581) by the ruler of the Wuyue State, a part of which became Zhejiang Province. The name 'Liuhe' comes from the six Buddhist ordinances and it is said that the reason for building this pagoda is to calm the tidal waters of the Qiantang River, and as a navigational aid. However, the pagoda was completely destroyed during a battle in the year 1121. The current pagoda was constructed of wood and brick during the Southern Song Dynasty (420-589), and subsequently, during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing Dynasties (1644 -1911), additional exterior eaves were added to the pagoda. It is octagonal in shape and some 59.89 meters (196 feet) in height, it also has the appearance of being a thirteen-story structure, though it only has seven interior stories.
Opening Hours: 6:30am - 6:30pm Recommended Time for a Visit: 0.5 Hours
    Distance to City Center: 8 KM
 
Meijiawu Village
Hangzhou Longjing Tea (Dragon Well Tea) is considered China's best. It is not only famous for its unique green color, fragrant aroma, sweet taste, and flat appearance, but is also regarded as a health elixir. The tea falls into different grades; the best is the first pick of a year, normally in late March or early April. Besides its good quality, Longjing Tea also enjoys a famous long history. If you are interested in tea culture and history, Meijiawu Village in West Lake District is the ideal spot where you can have a cup of tea, watch a tea ceremony, and select tea under professional guidance.
Opening Hours: Whole day Recommended Time for a Visit: 1 Hours
    Distance to City Center: 15 KM
Qinghefang Street
Qing He Fang Street is one of the most famous and historic streets in the city and reflects many of the features of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279). Shoppers will admire the antique buildings while purchasing items from a wide range of local goods such as silks, tea or maybe a silk parasol, brocade or a beautiful Hangzhou fan. These are just some of the items to be found but there are many more.
Opening Hours: whole day Recommended Time for a Visit: 1 Hours
    Distance to City Center: 0 KM
Fei Lai Feng
Fei Lai Feng (also named Ling Jiu Feng), stands next to Ling Yin Temple and is a must-see in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. There are many legends about the peak's name.
Fei Lai Feng, 209 meters (about 700 feet) tall, is a pure limestone mountain that is very distinctive from the sandstone mountains around it. Large stones scattered along the peak are said to resemble animals like a flying dragon, a running elephant, a crouching tiger, and a fleeing monkey. On the other side of the peak, a pavilion named Cui Wei was erected to immortalize the national hero Yue Fei. This man contributed greatly in the war against Jin Tribe during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279).The pavilion was destroyed many times before the large restoration of 1942. The current pavilion keeps its old face with fresh paint.
Opening Hours: 6:00am - 6:00pm Recommended Time for a Visit: 0.5 Hours
    Distance to City Center: 9 KM
Mausoleum of General Yue Fei
Yue Fei (1103 - 1141) came from Tangyin in Xiangzhou of today's Henan Province. He was a great general famous for wars against the Jin Dynasty (1115 - 1234) in the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279). After he joined the army, he and his troops continuously won wars against the Jin. However, after Yue and his army had recovered most of the lost territory, Emperor Gaozong (1107 - 1187) embraced the evil plot of Qin Kuai (1090 - 1155, Prime Minister of the Song Dynasty) and surrendered to the Jin. As a result, Yue Fei was falsely accused and later secretly killed in jail. A few years later, the wrong was put right when Emperor Xiao Zong (1163 - 1189) came to power. The Mausoleum of General Yue Fei was built in memory of this great hero. Yue Fei is always considered as a national hero.
The Mausoleum of General Yue Fei has been demolished and renovated several times. The existing one was rebuilt in 1715 in the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911) and comprehensively repaired in 1979.
Opening Hours: 7:00am - 6:00pm Recommended Time for a Visit: 1 Hours
    Distance to City Center: KM