04/09/2015

Exploring Places VI: Hangzhou, China

Postcard 6 will travel to HANGZHOU


WHERE IS HANGZHOU?


Hangzhou is one of the seven ancient capitals and the largest city of Zhejiang Province in Eastern China. It is quite near Shanghai (160 km) but quite far from China’s capital city Beijing (1040km). Hangzhou has a population of 8.7 million.

HANGZHOU IS FAMOUS FOR…

Hangzhou is renowned for its marvelous scenery and its historic and cultural heritage. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in China. 



A Chinese saying and a pop song confirm this reputation:
Chinese saying:“Be born in Suzhou, live in Hangzhou, eat in Guangzhou, die in Liuzhou.” (simplified Chinese: 生在苏州活在杭州吃在广州死在柳州; traditional Chinese: 生在蘇州活在杭州吃在廣州死在柳州)
Song title: “There is a paradise in Heaven; on earth there is Hangzhou”

PLACES TO VISIT
West Lake 

West Lake is a 12000 year-old artificial fresh water lake whose surrounding area includes numerous temples, pagodas and gardens.It has influenced poets and painters throughout Chinese history for incredible, and it has also been among the most important sources of inspiration for Chinese garden designers. It was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011.

Leifeng Pagoda

Leifeng Pagoda is a five-story tower with eight sides, located on Sunset Hill south of the West Lake. Originally constructed in the year AD 975, it collapsed in 1924 but was rebuilt in 2002.

Lingyin Temple


Lingyin (Hidden Spirit) Temple is one of the largest and most visited Buddhist temples in China and holds the largest statue of the Buddha Sakyamuni in the lotus position.

National Tea Museum


This museum is the only one in China focused on the tea theme. Visitors can learn about Chinese tea culture. Besides functioning as a museum, here is also a research institution which often holds conferences on tea and its culture. Visitors also have the chance to see a tea art performance and drink teas in a quiet and cozy place.

LIFESTYLE
Hangzhou is a city of art and tea lovers. There are lots of theaters in Hangzhou showing performance of opera shows and traditional Chinese theatre. Tea is an important part of Hangzhou's economy and culture. The local government of Hangzhou heavily invests in promoting tea and the arts, with emphasis placed upon silk production, umbrellas, and Chinese hand-held folding fans.


Here you have a five minute video about Hangzhou’s magnificent scenery:




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