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BIT's upcoming events |
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WSA-2008
(July 20-26, 2008, Kunming, China) |
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CEMD-2008
(Oct.22-28, 2008, Beijing & Xi'an, China) |
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WCG 2008
(Dec. 5-7, 2008, Guangzhou, China) |
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Hangzhou Overview |
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ˇ°Above there is heaven; below there are Suzhou and Hangzhouˇ±-- Hangzhou is one of the six ancient capitals of China, famous for her historical and cultural heritages and natural beauty, especially the West Lake. The city was originally established more than 2200 years ago. Since then, it had been the capital of Wu and Yue kingdoms during the 10th century and capital of Southern Song Dynasty during the 12-13the century. Cultural landscape blending with natural beauty, the West Lake is famous for her ten traditional views and ten new views. Hangzhou also boasts Longjin(dragon well) tea, silk, fan, and silk umbrella which are valuable souvenir. Besides, you can taste delicious Hangzhou food, such as West Lake Vinegar Fish, Shrimp with Longjing Tea Leaves, Dongbo Pork, Beggar Chicken, West Lake Water Shield Soup.
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Climatic Features: subtropical monsoon climate with mild and moist weather and four distinct seasons; about 115-120 days of summer, 110-120 days of winter; frost-free of 250 days
Average Temperature: 16.2oC
Rainfall: annual average rainfall of 1,450 mm |
West Lake |
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Originally a shallow sea inlet, due to the laying down of silt this 5.68 square kilometers (about 1,404 acres) of water became the famous West Lake. With an average depth of just five feet the lake comprises five distinct sections. The largest part is known as the Outer Lake and it is bounded by the North Inner Lake, Yuehu Lake, West Inner Lake and Lesser South Lake. Held in the embrace of hilly peaks on three sides, this water wonderland has been an attraction for centuries and it is small wonder that it was a favourite 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. Whatever the season, the panorama is pleasing to the eye and the nuances of light shade together with the moods of the weather present an ever-changing picture that justifiably has been described as 'intoxicating'. |
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Southern Song Dynasty Guan Kiln Museum |
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Lying to the south of West Lake, Southern Song Dynasty Guan Kiln Museum has a floor area of 15,000 square meters (3.7 acres). The building area is 4,364 square meters (1.1 acres). It is built over the remains of Jiaotanxia Guan Kiln and is the first museum with pottery and porcelain as its subject in China. It was opened to public in 1992 and was extended in 2002. Now the museum displays the products of the guan kilns of Southern Song Dynasty, highlighting their charm and delicate beauty. It has been praised as the Civilized Museum of Zhejiang Province and the first group of Provincial Education Base of Patriotism.
The museum consists of two parts: the exhibition area and the guan kiln relic
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The Six Harmonies Pagoda |
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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. |
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The National Tea Museum |
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China is the birthplace of tea with the longest history of tea culture. Today tea culture is a bright pearl in traditional Oriental culture. The National Tea Museum opened in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province in 1991. It is located in Longjing (Dragon Well) Village, west of charming West Lake, and covers an area of 22,000 square meters (about 5.4 acres) with a 3500 square meter (about 0.9 acres) construction area.
This museum is the only one in China with the tea theme. The museum has no external walls but is enclosed by vegetation giving the unique impression that the halls and the tea in the museum depend upon each other. Additionally, one hundred distinctive Chinese characters relating to tea are enchased in the road to add color to your trip.
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Ling Yin Temple |
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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. |
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Hupao Spring |
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Hupao Spring is ranked the third in China, according to scientific research on the quality of the water of the spring, followed by Leng Spring in Zhejiang and Hui Spring in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province. The pleasures to be gained from Hupao Spring are listening to the spring, viewing the spring, tasting the spring, feeling the spring, even dreaming that the spring enables every thought about the spring to come to mind.
Hupao Spring is well famed for its unique fountain. People of all ages highly praise it after tasting a cup of Longjing tea made of water from Hupao fountain. Many laudatory poems about the spring have been composed by famous Chinese poets, both in ancient and in modern times. No surprise then that Longjing (Dragon Well) tea and Hupao (Tiger Running) fountain bring out the best in each other and are acknowledged as 'two wonders of West Lake'. |
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Wuzhen |
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Wuzhen, a town with a history of 1200 years, is just 50 minutes' drive from Hangzhou, the provincial capital of East China's Zhejiang Province. This small town, with its black tiled, oil-painted timber framework houses, that contrast sharply with its white walls and gray flagging, brings to mind a Chinese ink and wash painting. The river running through the town was once the main means of transportation for local people, but these days is little used, other than for festive celebrations, when bulk cargo is shipped in. The window sills of the houses on the banks of the river are further extended with boards, on which flowers, plants and bonsai bloom in the warm sunshine, adding a touch of life and color to this tranquil, old style town. |
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Shanghai |
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Shanghai is a fascinating mix of East and West. It has historic shikumen houses that blended the styles of Chinese houses with European design flair, and it has one of the richest collections of art deco buildings in the world. Because there were so many Concessions (designated districts) to Western powers during the turn of the 20th century, at times the city has the feel of Paris or Montreal, while Tudor style buildings give a German flair, and the 1930s buildings put you in New York or Chicago.
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What to buy |
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Silk Market on Tiyuchang Road. You can also get silk at other places in the city, but most of it will just be the fabric.
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Night market off Yan'an Road near Pinghai Road (right near Wushan) every night. Here you can find Mao memorabilia, jewelry, paper fans, pipes, luggage, handicrafts and other items that most Chinese cities have. |
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Tea Dragon Well/Longjing tea is famous throughout China and worth getting if you like green tea. If you are staying with a Chinese host
somewhere else in China after Hangzhou, bringing them a small box (or two) of higher-end Longjing Tea would make a great gift
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Clothes Hangzhou has literally hundreds of clothes and shoes stores. The largest concentration of these are on Yan'an Rd and especially Wulin Rd, making a straight line of clothes shops stacked on top of each other between Wushan and Wulin Squares.
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Landscape paintings There are several places to buy Chinese landscape paintings in the city, especially near Wushan Square and around the south/east side of the lake.
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