Introduction of Hangzhou

Hangzhou formerly transliterated as Hangchow, is the capital and largest city of Zhejiang Province in Eastern China. It is governed as a sub-provincial city. As of 2010, the entire administrative division or prefecture had a registered population of 8.7 million people.  The built up area of the Hangzhou municipality had a resident population of 6.242 million in 2010 (urban and suburban districts), of which 3.56 million lived in the six urban core districts.

A core city of the Yangtze River Delta, Hangzhou has a position on the Hangzhou Bay 180 kilometres (110 mi) southwest of Shanghai that gives it economic power. It has been one of the most renowned and prosperous cities of China for much of the last 1,000 years, due in part to its beautiful natural scenery. The city's West Lake is its best-known attraction.known attraction.

Below are the attractive places in Hangzhou:

West Lake

West Lake is famous for its "10 Scenes of the West Lake" and the "10 New Scenes", but sometimes these places are not easy to spot. I recommend forgetting about them, and strolling around the lake, on the islands and on the promenade next to the lake, and enjoying the sights. There are boards with information in English and Chinese. Most of the time, this information will be enough to understand the history of the places.

The history of West Lake is linked to two poets, Bai Juyi and Su Shi. The poet Bai Juyi was elected governor of Hangzhou in the Tang Dynasty (8th century). He ordered the construction of a dam in order to control the water level, and bring water to the fields in the area, which at that time were affected by severe droughts. He also ordered the construction of the Bai Causeway, and planted peach trees around the lake.

Admission Fee:

Spots	Addr.	Admission Fee	Bus Routes
Leifeng Pagoda	15 Nanshan Road	CNY40	Y1, Y2, Y3, K4, J5, Y6, Y7, Y9, K291, K504, K808, 822/K822
Three Pools Mirroring the Moon	the bigger islet in the southwest of the lake	CNY20	----
Chenghuang Pavilion	3 Wushan Road	CNY30	38/K38, Y7, Y8, 8/K8, J9, 25/K25, 34/K34, 35/K35, 40/K40, 59/K59、60/K60
Lingyin	1 Fayun Nong, Lingyin Road	CNY30 (Temple of Soul's Retreat) CNY45 (Peak Flown From Afar)	Y1, Y2, 7/K7, Y13, K807/K837

Access:  

Buses: Bus routes at Hangzhou Railway Station, Huanglong Sports Center, Wulin Square. Available bus routes are 4/K4, 6/K6, 7/K7, 15/K15,16/K16,18/K18, 21/K21, 27/K27, 28/K28, 81/K81, K504, 527/K527, Y1, Y2, Y3, Y4, Y5, Y6, Y7, Y8, Y9.

Subway: East Railway Station, and get off at Su Di, Ling Yin, Duan Qiao, Qu Yuan Feng He, Yue Miao, Shuang Feng, Long Jing Si, Yan'an Road, Hu Bin or Xihu Dadao Stations. 

Botanical Garden

Covering an area of about 230 hectares (approx. 568 acres), the Hangzhou Botanical Garden can be found at the foot of Jade Spring Hill in the northwest end of West Lake. It was originally built in 1965, and is not only a park in which to feast your eyes on beautiful plants, but also a research base where fields such as the cultivation of plants and protection of environment are studied.

The garden has wonderful scenery and an excellent environment. It is beautiful, with decorative architecture including pavilions and kiosks. Verdant trees, colorful and lovely flowers, and extremely fresh air seem to bring people into a world full of the pleasure of natural beauty.

The garden is divided into two main sections: the research section and the pleasure gardens. The research section is where the cultivation of plants and protection of the environment are being studied. The pleasure gardens are divided into gardens including the Botany Classification Garden, Botany Appreciation Garden, Bamboo Garden, Garden of Economic Plants, Plant Resources Museum, and the Medicinal Garden.

Admission Fee: CNY 10 for adults; CNY 5 for children (under 1.3 meters high)

Operate: 7am-5pm

Access: Hangzhou Buses 82, 15, 28, and 7

Six Harmonies Pagoda (Liuhe 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.

Upon ascending the pagoda, visitors will have a spectacular view of the Qiantang River Bridge spanning the surging tides of the Qiantang River. Nearby the Six Harmonies Pagoda an exhibition center detailing ancient pagodas in China was set up in recently upon Yuelun Hill. So visitors can visit the Six Harmonies Pagoda and then learn of the various ancient pagodas architectural styles to be found within China.

Viewed from outside, the pagoda appears to be layered-bright on the upper surface and dark underneath. That is a harmonious alternation of light and shade.

Admission Fee: CNY 30 (including 10 for pagoda climbing)

Access: Hangzhou Buses K808, K599, 504, Tourism Bus No.5

Qinghefang Ancient Street

Qinghefang Ancient Street is a section of Hefang Street which is located at the northern foot of Wu Shan Hill in Hangzhou. It is just several hundred meters away from the beautiful West Lake. With an area of 13 hectares, the street is the only well-preserved part of ancient Hangzhou. As a miniature of Hangzhou City's long history, it is the best place to embody the historical and cultural character of Hangzhou.

Qinghefang has been the most flourished street in Hangzhou since the ancient time. During the Southern Song Dynasty, Qinghefang with lots of shops, restaurants and teahouses was the center of politics, culture and commerce in Hangzhou. After so many years, it is still a prosperous business area in Hangzhou. Many famous century-old shops are located in this ancient street, such as Wangxingji Fan Store, Zhangxiaoquan Scissors, Wanlong Ham Stack, Huqingyutang Pharmacy, Baohetang Pharmacy, Zhuangyuan House, Wangruixing, Yiyuanjindian, Jingyangguan and Sheep Soup Restaurant among others.

At present, there are 16 old-fashioned street lanes remained in Qinghefang Ancient Street, mainly including Zhongshan Middle Road, Hefang Street, Gulou Bay and Gaoyin Lane. From the layout, these lanes are primary from south to north and accessorial from east to west. Most of the existing old buildings in the streets are in the style of late Qing Dynasty's and the well-preserved 'four-corner buildings group' are the masterpiece example of traditional blocks of Hangzhou.  Viewed from the end of the block, it is visually pleasing combining both the static structures and the dynamics of the people milling about.

Operate: 9am-10pm

Access: Hangzhou Buses No.8, No.60, K216 (night line) and get off at the east crossing of Gaoyin Street, or take the buses of No.25, No.35, K187, K404, Y8, K850 and get off at Wushan bus station.

Xixi National Wetland Park

Situated in the western part of Hangzhou, less than 5km from West Lake, Xixi National Wetland Park is a rare urban wetland. With rich ecological resources, simple natural landscape and profound culture, Xixi is known as one of the Three "Xi's" along with Xihu (West Lake) and Xiling (the Seal Engravers' Society). It is the first and only wetland park in China combining urban life, farming and culture. Xixi has not only broad open views, but also a variety of water views. Warm and humid, the area enjoys a comfortable climate featuring abundant precipitation and four distinct seasons. 

The natural and human landscape in Xixi are grouped into three causeways and ten sights: The three causeways are Causeway Fu, Causeway Lu and Causeway Shou, as in Chinese, the three words fu, lu and shou carry the meaning of fortune, prosperity and longevity.

The ten sights are Qiuxue Hut, the best scenery of Xixi and the sight that can be reached by boat only; Water Mirroring Red Persimmons; Exhibition of Dragon Boat Culture; Lotus Flower Eco-Reserve Area, the main area for bird-watching; Charm of Hong's Villa, the living place of the Hongs, which fostered a group of celebrities; Boat-rowing in the Moonlight, Fog and Water Fishing Village, a tourist center when one can enjoy local delicacies; Xixi Plum Villa, home to more plum trees and famed for its plum blossoms; Gao's Villa, and Music Appreciation in Hezhu. 

Admission Fee: 

CNY 80

Boat Fee: 

Battery Boat: CNY 60; Rowing Boat: CNY 100/per boat (allow 6 people in one boat)

Operate:

 8.30am-5.30pm (Apr-Oct); 8.30am-5pm (Nov-Mar)

Access: 

Free shuttle bus from LeiFeng Pagoda on the south bank of the West Lake to Xixi Wetland every half an hour from 9am-2.30pm.