Hangzhou, China
Region: Zhejiang
Geographic Coordinates: 30.250000, 120.168000
Temperature Range: 10.0°C to 35.0°C (50°F to 95°F)
Climate: Seasonal climate and weather patterns in Hangzhou, China are influenced by a humid subtropical climate, with hot summers and cool winters.
Population: 9523000
Language: Mandarin
Hangzhou is a city located in the Zhejiang Province of eastern China. It is renowned for its picturesque landscapes, Rich cultural heritage, And thriving economy. The city has been significant since ancient times because of its strategic location on the Grand Canal and proximity to the Yangtze River Delta. West Lake is one of Hangzhou’s most popular tourist attractions. This vast freshwater lake covers an area of more than six square kilometers and is surrounded by verdant hills. The lake features numerous islands, Temples, Gardens, Bridges, And pavilions that draw visitors from around the world.
Tourists can take a boat ride or stroll along scenic paths to explore this breathtaking destination. Another must-visit site in Hangzhou is Lingyin Temple – an ancient Buddhist temple founded over 1600 years ago during the Eastern Jin dynasty. The temple complex comprises several halls filled with Buddha statues as well as pagodas, Gardens, Caves and waterfalls. Hangzhou’s cuisine also attracts visitors from far and wide due to its fresh flavors with seafood dishes being particularly popular such as Dongpo fish head soup or shrimp stir-fried with Longjing tea leaves – a local delicacy.
The city’s economy has experienced rapid growth in recent years thanks to industries such as technology manufacturing (including companies like Alibaba), Tourism services (due to West Lake), And finance (with companies like Geely Auto). Despite this modernization boom Hangzhou still maintains much of its historic charm. it should be noted that Hangzhou holds an important place within Chinese literature; many famous poets have written about their experiences visiting West Lake or Lingyin Temple which have helped cement these places’ status as cultural icons within China’s literary tradition.
Overall Hangzhou offers a unique blend of natural beauty, Cultural heritage alongside modern development making it an ideal destination for all types of travelers.
- West Lake
- Lingyin Temple
- Six Harmonies Pagoda
- Hefang Street (Ancient Street)
- Xixi National Wetland Park
- Leifeng Pagoda
- Qinghefang Ancient Street
- Southern Song Dynasty Guan Kiln Museum
- National Tea Museum
- Zhejiang Provincial Museum
- E-commerce: Alibaba Group, one of the world’s largest e-commerce companies, is headquartered in Hangzhou.
- Technology: The city has a thriving technology industry with several startups and established tech companies.
- Textiles: Hangzhou is famous for its silk production, which has been a major industry in the region for centuries.
- Tourism: The city attracts millions of tourists every year due to its beautiful natural scenery, historic sites, and cultural attractions.
- Manufacturing: Hangzhou has a significant manufacturing sector that includes machinery, electronics, automobiles, chemicals, and more.
- Finance: Several financial institutions including banks and insurance companies are located in the city.
- Healthcare: Many hospitals and medical research centers contribute to the healthcare industry in China from within Hangzhou itself.
- Education: With prestigious universities such as Zhejiang University located within the city limits itself, education contributes significantly to the economy of Hangzhou.
- West Lake: The West Lake is one of the most famous attractions in Hangzhou, and it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011.
- Southern Song Dynasty: Hangzhou was the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty for over 150 years, during which time it became one of the most prosperous cities in China.
- Marco Polo: The famous Italian explorer Marco Polo visited Hangzhou in the 13th century and wrote about its beauty and wealth in his book The Travels of Marco Polo.
- Emperor Qianlong: Emperor Qianlong, one of China’s most powerful emperors, visited Hangzhou six times during his reign (1735-1796) and praised its beauty while ordering many buildings to be constructed there.
- Liangzhu Culture: The Liangzhu Culture existed around 5000 years ago near present-day Hangzhou, known for its sophisticated jade artifacts.
- Xixi National Wetland Park: Xixi National Wetland Park covers an area of over 10 square kilometers (4 square miles) on the outskirts of Hangzhou and is home to numerous species of plants and animals such as rare birds like egrets and herons.
- Zhang Xiaoquan Scissors Factory: Zhang Xiaoquan Scissors Factory has been producing scissors since the Ming Dynasty using traditional techniques that continue today.
- Huang Gongwang: Huang Gongwang was a famous painter from Yuan Dynasty who lived in Hangzhou for many years before moving to Anhui Province later in life.
- Lin Hejing Tomb Museum: The Lin Hejing Tomb Museum contains General Lin Hejing’s tomb from Tang Dynasty located within Hangzhou City limits.
- Hefang Street: Hefang Street is a historic street in Hangzhou that dates back to the Song Dynasty. It is known for its traditional architecture, food, and shops selling souvenirs and handicrafts.
- West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou
- Lingyin Temple
- China National Tea Museum
- Hangzhou Silk Museum
- Zhejiang Provincial Museum
- Xixi National Wetland Park
- Former Residence of Hu Xueyan
- Leifeng Pagoda
- Wushan Square
- Qiantang River Tide Watching Park
- Hangzhou Greentown F.C.: This professional football club was founded in 1998 and has been playing in the Chinese Super League since 2006. The team has had moderate success, finishing as runners-up twice in the league.
- Zhejiang Golden Bulls: This basketball team was established in 1999 and plays in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league. They have won one CBA championship title.
- Hangzhou Spark: This esports team competes in the Overwatch League (OWL). They were founded in 2018 and are owned by Bilibili, a Chinese video sharing website.
- Hangzhou Tigersharks: This American football team plays in the China Arena Football League (CAFL). They were founded in 2016 and won their first CAFL championship title that same year.
- Zhejiang Lions: This volleyball club was established back in 1951 and has won several national championships over the years.
- West Lake International Fireworks Festival is an annual event that takes place in October, featuring fireworks displays from different countries around the world.
- Dragon Boat Festival is held on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month to celebrate the life and accomplishments of Chinese poet Qu Yuan with dragon boat races and traditional food.
- Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month with mooncakes, lanterns, and family gatherings.
- Hangzhou International Tea Culture Expo showcases Hangzhou’s rich tea culture through tea tastings, lectures, and cultural performances.
- Qiantang River Tidal Bore Watching Festival occurs in September or October when visitors can witness one of China’s natural wonders – a tidal bore that creates waves up to 30 feet high on Qiantang River.
- Hangzhou International Marathon is one of China’s largest marathons taking place in November each year with thousands of runners from around the world participating.
- Xixi National Wetland Park Lotus Flower Festival occurs in June and July each year where visitors can enjoy beautiful displays of lotus flowers at Hangzhou’s Xixi National Wetland Park along with cultural performances and activities.
- Grand Canal Cultural Tourism Festival celebrates one of China’s greatest engineering feats – The Grand Canal – through boat tours, cultural performances, and exhibitions showcasing its history and significance to Chinese culture.
- West Lake Fish in Vinegar Gravy (西湖醋鱼) at Lou Wai Lou (楼外楼).
- Dongpo Pork (东坡肉) at Zhi Wei Guan (知味观).
- Beggar’s Chicken (叫化鸡) at Grandma’s Kitchen (外婆家).
- Longjing Tea Shrimp (龙井虾仁) at Green Tea Restaurant (绿茶餐厅).
- Fried Rice Cakes with Soy Sauce and Vegetables (炒年糕) at Zhang Sheng Ji Dumplings Shop（张生记小笼包）.
- Braised Bamboo Shoots with Ham（火腿烧笋）at Wang Run Xing Restaurant（王润兴）.
- Steamed Buns Stuffed with Crab Meat （蟹黄包）at Wushanyi International Cuisine Hall(吴山宜国际美食城).
- Midnight snack: Roujiamo(肉夹馍), a type of Chinese sandwich made with meat stuffed between two pieces of bread, can be found in many street vendors around the city.
Hangzhou is also famous for its tea culture, so visitors should not miss out on trying some local teas such as Longjing tea and Biluochun tea while exploring the city’s culinary scene.
- West Lake is a popular park in Hangzhou that offers beautiful scenery and various recreational activities such as boat rides, cycling, and walking trails.
- Xixi National Wetland Park is a nature reserve with wetlands, lakes, and forests that offers boating, hiking, and bird watching.
- Lingyin Temple Scenic Area is a historic temple complex surrounded by lush greenery that features hiking trails and scenic views.
- Hangzhou Botanical Garden is a large garden with a variety of plants from around the world that offers walking tours and educational programs.
- Qiantang River Tidal Bore Watching is an annual event where visitors can watch the natural phenomenon of the Qiantang River tidal bore wave.
- Song Dynasty Town is a replica of an ancient Chinese town featuring traditional architecture, performances, and cultural activities.
- Yunxi Zhujing Scenic Area is a forest park with bamboo groves and waterfalls that offers hiking trails and picnicking areas.
- Baoshi Mountain Forest Park is a mountain park offering scenic views of Hangzhou cityscape along with hiking trails for all levels of fitness.
- Children’s Park in Wulin Square is a public park designed for children to play games or enjoy outdoor activities such as rock climbing or skating rink during winter months.
- Hangzhou Safari Park is like zoo attraction featuring exotic animals from around the world including giraffes，elephants，and tigers which can be seen up close on safari tour bus ride through their habitats.
