Last time I went to Hangzhou is many years ago when I was still a teenager on the way back home, a small town in Zhejiang. It’s during the Spring Festival, many scenic spots were closed and I felt a bit pity about the trip. Years later, I went back to this beautiful city again with my family and the kid’s a teenager as well. This time the journey gave me a chance to take a close observation of the city and experience its charming history and culture.
For one who comes to Hangzhou, West Lake is a must-do, a UNESCO world Heritage Site among all the popular sights. The Culture Landscape covers an extensive area and includes some of Hangzhou’s most notable scenic places such as, Three Pools Mirroring the Moon, Leifeng Tower, Broken Bridge which have ancient folk legends and loved by the Chinese……Walking along the White causeway across West lake, you must be absorbed in the breath-taking landscape with lotus lying on the lake swaying gently in the breeze, and feel relaxed heart and soul.
During our three-day journey, we visited the residence of Hu Xueyan, Xixi National wetland Park where surprised us that the famous Giant Rubber Duck were in the fish pond among the reed beds, Soul’s Retreat Pagoda which I visited years before, King Yue’s Temple constructed in memory of General Yue Fei who lost his life due to political persecution, Qiandao Lake which’s a man-made lake with different islands and distinctive scence.
We watched three performances in Hangzhou-Impression West Lake directed by Zhang Yimou which I don’t think much of it, Romance of Song Dynasty, and Spirit of Water in Qiandao Lake, the latter two are ok.
Lou Wai Lou is a restaurant I still remember today, it’s still there, famous. And the cuisine there is worth to have a taste, e.g. Longjing Shrimp, Pian Er Chuan Noodles, Dongpo Pork with mellow fragrance, Oh, my mouth ’s watering now.
On one hand, Hangzhou’s been through many recent urban development while it retains its historical and cultural heritage, it’s good. Saying goes: “Heaven above, Suzhou and Hangzhou below.” On the other hand, Hangzhou’s a small tourism city with lots of floating people, high house prices, high temperature accompanying high humidity in Summer, many scenic zones are worth taking a look, but some of them aren’t worth a second visit.
I can’t say if I love this city or not, being an adult, what I think is that the situation will be quite different to a tourist compared to a resident. The kid promised to give us a third visit when he’s grown up, haha, looking forward to it.
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Qiandao Lake
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Impression West Lake |