Hangzhou- China's Ancient Paradise on Earth

below: West Lake with Leifeng Pagoda in the background
Located 180 kilometres southwest of Shanghai is Hangzhou. Named as the most beautiful city in China, it is well known for its natural beauty. Founded during the Qin Dynasty 2,200 years ago, it is listed as one of the 7 Ancient Capitals of China.

Located in the historic centre of Hangzhou, West Lake has put Hangzhou on the map because it is the most beautiful scenic spot in the city...... of over 2,000 years old. It is so beautiful in the spring time that Emperor Qianlong, the fourth emperor of the Qing dynasty fell in love with the area. Today tourists can take a cruise around West Lake where they will be surrounded by hills off in the distance, majestic weeping willows lining the shores, ancient stone bridges and the locals taking a stroll along the causeway.

Also unique to Hangzhou is the production of Longjing tea, in the village of Longjing. Lonjing literally translates to dragon well, because that is the location of a well containing relatively dense water that during rainfall, the lighter rain water would dance on the well water that resembled the movement of a dragon. According to legend, a dragon once lived in the well and was believed to control rainfall. It is said that Emperor Qianlong once visited the village of Longjing where he tasted a cup of Longjing tea in front 18 tea bushes. He loved the tea so much that he designated the tea grown in this area imperial status, fit for royalty.

Located in southwest region of Hangzhou, the village is accessible to vehicles and pedestrians via a tunnel that crosses through three mountains to Longjing, located on the other side. Lined with rows of tea plantations at the foot of the hills, the scenery is breathtaking. Visitors can experience a cup of fresh Longjing tea while taking in the scenery.




1. After a 3.5 hr. bus ride from Shanghai, we finally arrive in the city centre of Hangzhou. I can't help but notice how clean the it is. It is one of the cleanest cities in China (and maybe in the world?) 2.3.4. A look at some of Hangzhou's many beautiful parks. They say that spring is the best time to visit Hangzhou because that is when the flowers and trees are at full bloom. But I found that winter has its own beauty in Hangzhou; it is calm and quiet allowing those who walk through the grounds to be at peace. Come spring, these parks will be flooded with crazy tourists leaving no room to even breathe! (seriously, Chinese tourists can be crazy! :p) 5. The surroundings of the Xintiandi in Hangzhou, a district with upscale bars, cafes and shops. 6. The brass creature floating in the middle of the lake is a buffalo. The scene is named: Golden Buffalo Emerging from West Lake (I did not make this up, there's a sign that says it!). Legend has it that there was a golden buffalo lying at the bottom of the lake who would "emerge" when the Lake ran dry and spread water until it was full again. I couldn't make out the rest of the story, but this is why West Lake has been known as Golden Buffalo Lake since the Han Dynasty. 7. Xihu Tiandi = West Lake Heaven and Earth. This was a bad investment as the night life here in Hangzhou is non-existent unlike Shanghai. 8. That is Su Dong Po (1037-1101), a famous poet of the Song era and the governor of Hangzhou at one point in time. Besides poetry he also wrote about the Chinese iron industry and travel literature in 11th century. 9. A freshly brewed cup of authentic Longjing green tea inside the Longjing Tea Plantation. Produced by hand, it is of exceptional quality for its unique aroma, colour and flavour and great health benefits. It has been given the title of the national tea of China. To get the best taste, do not add boiling water! The temperature should be about 80-85 degrees C. After infusion, you can even eat the tea leaves. 10. The tea leaves are pan fired to stop the fermentation process and therefore the leaves don't dry out and oxidize. This man is famous a world champion of pan firing. He says he is 82 this year but really looks like he's 60. I bet it has something to do with the tea! The first thing that the Chinese do here before anything else in the morning (including going to the bathroom and brushing teeth) is brew themselves a hot cup of tea. No tea means a grumpy person for the rest of the day (kind of like the effects of a lack of coffee in the West). 11. The Longjing village is located on the other side of Fenghuang hill on the west side of West Lake in Hangzhou. In ancient times, travellers would spend days going over the hills to get to the village. The construction of the tunnel crossing through three mountains into Longjing has allowed this unique village and ancient traditions and way of life to be shared with the rest of the world. 12. This is what you get to see on the other side of the tunnel: Hills and hills of tea plants! The women of the village wake up at 3am to start picking leaves until sunrise while the men (like the old man mentioned above) practice their pan firing skills. The tea leaves are pan fired w/ bare hands in a metal pan heated up to about 80-90 degrees. 13. Looking to the South of West Lake is the Leifeng pagoda located on Sunset Hill. The 5- storey octagonal tower was originally built in AD 975 by King Qian Chu of the Wuyue Kingdom to celebrate the birth of his son. It has been rebuilt since 2002 due to its collapse in 1924 and now there are elevators, AC, TVs and speakers inside. lol. 14.15.16. Hangzhou is most famous for its West Lake. It has area of 6.5 square km with 3 causeways allowing visitors across it and surrounded by mountains on 3 sides. I had the pleasure of walking along the Sudi (Su Causeway) built by Su Dong Po in 1089 mentioned above. Here are some sights seen from the boat cruise around the lake. 17. The pointy tower you see in the background is the 7-storey Baochu pagoda located to the North of West Lake on Precious Stone Hill. It was originally constructed in 963 (later reconstructed in 1933) by one of King Qian Chu's minister in the hopes that it would guide his return from a trip to Central China where he was summoned by the Emperor. "Baochu" literally translates into "protect Chu" (Qian Chu). 18. You will see 6 bridges along the whole of West Lake. This one got the best shot! I love the outline of the hills in the background. 19. A view of the city from West Lake (in Old Hangzhou). That is modern Hangzhou. 20. Those are famer's houses supplied by the government in exchange for their farmland. Usually a family of 3 live in one of those giant blocks. Unused areas of the house can be rented out (but not sold). Farmers in South Eastern China have such a good life, they are often very wealthy. 21. An acrobatics night show in Hangzhou. 22. Su Dong Po decided to make stewed pork one day because he was bored. But then a friend came to visit and challenged him to a chess game which made him forget about his cooking until there was a fragrant waft coming from the kitchen and out came what is known today as Dongpo pork, invented by accident.