Attractions

Given the cultural and historical heritage, and its natural beauty, Hangzhou has much to offer coming to attractions and scenic spots. The following are just some samples.

West Lake, called so because it lies in the west of the city, is largely what makes Hangzhou so attractive and beautiful. Surrounded by mountains on three sides, and with the fourth side bordering the urban district, West Lake forms the center of a garden resort that sprawls on a land of 49 square km. It is a brightly colorful land with rippling lakes, surging rivers, lush mountains and valleys, magnificent temples, and valuable historical remains. The land is graced by pavilions, bridges, flowers and trees.

West Lake has been visited for centuries and has numerous beautiful poems dedicated to it in eulogy, including that of great Chinese poet Su Dong Po. A boat trip on the lake can be a memory that lasts a life time. 

Notable as one of the ten most famous Buddhist temples of China, Soul's Retreat Temple is a major ancient Buddhist sanctuary in possession of a rich trove of Buddhist literature and cultural relics. Its palaces, pavilions and halls, together with figures of Buddhist deities, embody the quiescence of Chinese architectural and artistic relics.

The temple was first built in 326 and thereafter has been subjected to centuries of damage and restoration. It was listed as one of the key national cultural heritages in 1961 by the Chinese government.

The mountain is enshrined with 330 stone sculptures dating from the 10th to the 14th centuries. A prominent sculpture is that of Laughing Buddha, sitting on the cliff with exposed breast and belly. The Peak that Appears Out of Nowhere, in front of the above-mentioned Soul's Retreat Temple, figures prominently in classical Chinese history of plastic art.

The tidal bore of the Qiantang River, occurring during the 1st-5th and 15th-19th days of the 1st lunar month, is a natural spectacle that has driven awe into many a heart in this world. The tides, surging as high as 9 meters, are evocative of a million mountains collapsing or a million horses jostling their way down the river. It is one of the wonders of China, and the world. 

The name "six harmonies" comes from the six Buddhist ordinances, meaning "harmonies of the heaven, earth, north, south, east, and west". The pagoda, first built in 970 AD, is a masterpiece of classical Chinese architecture. After centuries of changes of fortunes, the pagoda we see today is an octagonal structure, in possession of an age-old majesty. Many cultural relics can be appreciated inside and outside of the pagoda, including all sorts of stone tablets and stone statues left over from the past dynasties.

You must have heard of Great Wall or even have paid it a visit. But do you know besides Great Wall, China has another magnificent construction of equal status? It is The Grand Canal. The 1,764 km (about 1200 miles) Canal is the longest man-made waterway in the world, far surpassing the next two grand canals of the world: the Suez and Panama Canals.

Running from Hangzhou in the south to Beijing in the north of China and connecting different river systems, The Grand Canal, 2000 years old, contributed greatly to ancient China's economy by offering facility to transport goods from south to north. Today some parts of the canal, including the part from Hangzhou, are still in use, mainly functioning as a water-diversion conduit.

Boating on the canal is a nice way to view typical water towns in Southern China and observe some of the local customs. It also opens a window to see the changing China. Hangzhou has built passenger wharf by the canal, sending out pleasure boats to Suzhou, Wuxi and other places.

A number of national museums can be found in Hangzhou and are representative of Chinese culture. Fine examples are the China Silk Museum and China Tea Museum - silk and tea are the specialty products from Hangzhou. The museums provide a fascinating insight into the history of Chinese traditional products. more

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