Hangzhou

Hangzhou, China

Like Yin and Yang, Hangzhou, the capital city of the Zhejiang Province, has two sides that complete each other. This historic city is a showcase for traditional medicine, religion and art as well as a shining example of China’s rapid economic development. Combining idyllic natural beauty, a grand heritage through the ages and an air of affluence, Hangzhou is one of the country’s most livable and pleasant cities to linger in.

Population:

9,468,000 (2017)

Currency:

1 RMB =10 Jiao

Emergency Numbers:

Police: 110
Ambulance: 120
Fire Brigade: 119

Opening Hours:

Most offices are open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 or 6 pm. Some bank branches also operate on weekends. Shopping centers and department stores are usually open seven days a week until 9 or 10 pm.

Newspapers:

Hangzhou Daily
City News

The City

Along with Suzhou, Hangzhou was extolled by ancient Chinese as "Paradise on Earth" - a metaphor that Marco Polo, the famous Venetian traveler, eagerly echoed, going as far as to pronounce Hangzhou the "finest, most splendid city in the world".
Although today such grand claims to greatness may be contested by other worthy contenders, Hangzhou truly is a beautiful corner of the world. Stunningly set by the West Lake with its weeping willows, Hangzhou is a favorite subject in many watercolor paintings by Chinese artists - its temples, bridges and causeways make for some incredibly serene, inspiring landscapes.
Hangzhou is very foreigner-friendly, with an ever-growing community of expats calling the city home. The east bank of the West Lake is crowded with eateries and bars frequented by locals and visitors alike; the west side is known as a quieter area where one can explore some of Hangzhou's unspoiled nature. Hangzhou is also known for its rather vibrant music scene - lots of local clubs regularly host live music shows, and music festival season comes twice a year - in spring and autumn.

Do & See

Most visits to Hangzhou center around the West Lake. To hit some of the most important sights, dedicate a day to simply strolling around the body of water - monuments like the Leifeng Pagoda and Jinci Temple are located directly on its shores, much like many others. The lake's east bank is where fashionable eateries, bars and scenic spots are concentrated; even further to the east (around Jiefang Lu) begins the new Hangzhou, where fashionable stores and modern amenities can be found.

Dining

Hangzhou is famous for its traditional cuisine, hearty yet light on the palate. Some of the signature dishes are Beggar’s Chicken baked in fragrant lotus leaves, West Lake fish, which can be steamed or stewed, and Dongpo Pork stewed in soy sauce, a dish invented and named after ancient China’s most famous poet nine centuries ago. This is a divine dish where the meat is cooked to such tenderness it melts in the mouth.

Cafes

When in Hangzhou, do not miss a traditional tea ceremony and savor a cup of Longjing tea, grown locally in the area. There are plenty of traditional tea houses to choose from, but one won't be hard-pressed to find modern coffee shops and Western-style cafés in the city either. Savor the local pudding-and-fruit desserts, and do not skip the exotic delicacies sold at street vendors' stalls.