Late Spring in JiangNan(Hangzhou) |
Travel in Zhejiang | |
Jiang Nan literally means the south (Nan) of the lower reaches of the Yangze River (Jiang). In the ancient time, Jiang Nan is the symbol of well-developed and prosperous culture and rich and popular river-side living style. Nowadays, Jiang Nan mainly refers to Shanghai, southern part of Jiangsu Province and Northern part of Zhejiang Province, which mainly include Shanghai, Hangzhou, Shaoxing, Suzhou and Wuxi, etc. Jiang Nan is famous for its beautiful river-side scenery and splendid culture, and attracts a huge number of tourists home and abroad every year. Late spring and early summer is the best time to visit Jiang Nan, as everything is booming in this period, you can experience a hot Jiang Nan. So do not hesitate to follow us and let’s start the journey to Jiang Nan. Hangzhoua(杭州) Transportation By air Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport is about 27km far from Hangzhou. Hangzhou currently attracts 126 airlines that offer flights to 13 International destinations, 44 Chinese cities and two regions. You may call the airport at 86-0571-86661234 and the airport bus station at 86-0571-85533549 86-0571-86662539.for detailed information. There are airport shuttle buses between Wulin Men, the city center (No. 390, Tiyuchang Road, Hangzhou) and the airport with a 20 Yuan admission fee per person. Alternatively, at a price of 90~100 Yuan the journey can be made by taxi. There are also buses heading for Xiaoshan City(萧山) (RMB15), Shaoxing City (绍兴)(RMB 30) and Yiwu City (义乌)(RMB60). By train Hangzhou Railway Station (colloquially the “City Station”) and the significantly less modern Hangzhou East Railway Station (colloquially “East Station”) serve the city centre, from which one can catch a train to Shanghai and almost anywhere in China. A Shanghai-Hangzhou Maglev Train Line has been proposed. Please call Hangzhou Railway Station at 86-0571-87829418、86-0571-87929424 and 86-0571-9500117799, and Hangzhou East Railway Station at 86-0571-86450514 for details. The Hangzhou Railway Station is in the city, so it's convenient for you to get to the hotels you have booked by bus or by taxi. Buses traveling to the railway station can be found on every main street. Purchasing train tickets can be troublesome for foreigners, as the ticket windows are usually crowded and have few English-speaking staff. One solution to such a problem is to ask for the ticket-booking service at any star rated hotel, who will offer their assistance for a nominal service charge. Of course, you can buy the tickets by yourself in the following places:
By boat Close to Qiantang River(钱塘江), Hangzhou enjoys a developed water transport system. Wulinmen Harbor is the departure terminal for canal transport. You can take a boat on the canal to Suzhou. Please call the harbor at 86-0571-85152065. Attractions in Hangzhou West Lake(西湖) (see the map) "Ripping water shimmering on sunny day, Misty mountains shrouded the rain; Plain or gaily decked out like Xizi; West Lake is always alluring." These are the words composed by the famous Song Dynasty poet Su Dongpo(苏东坡) (960-1127) when he compared the West Lake to Xi Zi, the most beautiful woman in ancient China. Now, West Lake is the best known feature of the city. It is known to visitors for its scenic beauty as well as the moving legend which is said to have taken place there. Following are the most famous spots in the West Lake Scenic Area. Lingering Snow on the Broken Bridge (断桥残雪) The snow scene of the west lake is enjoyed very high praise by people, especially the view of “malting snow at broken bridge”. Why it is called as “malting snow on the broken bridge”, there are different sayings. One of them is that it snows almost every winter in Hangzhou and when the sun comes out after snowfall, the snow on the sunny side of the bridge melts first, while the snow on the shady side still lingers. Looked at a distance or from a nearby hill, the bridge appears to be broken. It is a favorite stopover for you. Especially on fine winter days after a snow, you may stand on the bridge to feast your eyes on the snow scene far and near. Distant hills, clad in white, grow more enchanting. The famous Chinese folk story “The Tale of White Snake” brings the broken bridge some romance. Tips:
The view of the three stone pagodas is printed on one yuan’s Chinese RMB paper currency. Tips:
Ranged with peach, willow, magnolia and hibiscus trees, the 2.8-kilometer-long Su Causeway spans the West Lake from the Nanping Hill in the south to the Qixia Hill in the north. Walking on the causeway, one can look at the lake and the surrounding hills, absorbing all the visual and aural pleasures created by the breathtaking panorama. Tips:
In the South Song Dynasty a royal wine workshop was set up here. In the lake next to the winery stood a large area of lotuses waggling and dancing a little bit intoxicatingly in summer breezes. Visitors felt wonderful with both the scenery and wine while aromas of lotus flowers and wine were wafting in the air. The spot got its fame as one of the top ten best attractions in that dynasty and has kept its charm in colors and odors since then. Tips:
Flower Harbor is famed for its half-a-year-long flower scenery. The best time for flower viewing is late spring and early summer. The garden is full of flowers. The red fish pond is fringed with blossoms and verdant trees while fishes hover and float soundlessly; the peony garden showcases the celestial tints and aromas in supreme elegance; streams bubble their way into the flower harbor, without minding the changing time. The widespread lawn is deeply colored by green grasses, and the dense wood hides away paths stretching into it under its flourishing grace. Tips:
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Commanding a spectacular view of the surging Qiantang River, the pagoda presents a quiet image of age-old majesty. The pagoda we see today is an octagonal structure 200 feet tall. Seen from the outside, the pagoda has the appearance of a 13-story building; in actuality, there are only seven stories. Visitors here may be shocked and entertained not only by the long and splendid history of China but also the arts of Chinese calligraphy and seal-cutting. Tips:
The major attractions of this area include: the Tiger Spring Temple, the Tiger Spring, the Five Dynasties Sutra Pillars, Tiger Status, “Hongyi ” Monk Tomb, the Hall of Jigong Monk, and the Arhat Hall etc. Tips:
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As tourist development grows in Hangzhou, the hotel industry flourishes more and more. It is very easy to find a hotel in Hangzhou, ranging from 5 star hotels to youth hostels. Of course, it will be any traveler's first choice to stay in the city center due to the superior geographical location and the convenient transportation. You can book the star rated hotels on the website www.ctrip.com (it has English version), which has very detailed information Here we provide some information about youth hostel for you 1. Mingtown Hangzhou International Youth Hostel (杭州国际青年旅舍) Tel: 086- 571-87918948, 0571-28069669 ADD: No101-3 &101-11 Nanshan Road. Hangzhou E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it You can get detailed information and book room on its website: www.yhachina.com/ls.php?id=33 2. Wushanyi International Youth Hostel(吴山驿国际青年旅舍) Tel : 086-571-87018790 / 086-571-87080002 ADD: No.96, Siyi Road E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it You can get detailed information and book room on its website: http://www.wushanyi.com/view.asp Food in Hangzhou Zhejiang cuisine is one of the eight famous culinary arts in China. The fresh, tender, soft, and smooth dishes accompanied by its mellow fragrance have won for itself widespread reputation in the culinary world. Hangzhou dishes, being the most important part of Zhejiang cuisine, are noted for its elaborate preparations, sophisticated way of cooking and its most refreshing taste. It is not only delicious but extremely elegant in appearance also. West Lake Vinegar Fish(西湖醋鱼) Beggar’s Chicken(叫花鸡) Fried Ring Bell(炸响铃) The skin of "Fired Ring Bell" cooked by experienced cook is very crisp, which gives prominence to the savor of bean; the inside of "Fired Ring Bell" is fresh and tender, which super induces your appetite. Especially when eating it after dipped with sweet sauce, shallot chip or pepper powder, you will feel it more delicious and attractive. Dongpo Pork(东坡肉) It is named after Su Dongpo (1036-1101), one of eight most famous writers in Tang and Song dynasties. Additionally, Su is also special at cooking. Su's expert was cooking bouilli. Cat’s Ear(猫耳朵) It is flour-made dough looking like cat's ear, mixed with chicken shreds, ham, mushrooms and bamboo shoots in spiced soup. Zhi Wei Xiao Long (streamed pork bun)(知味小笼包) The Zhi Wei Guan dumpling, an elegant culinary achievement masquerading as a humble snack, consists of a ball of minced pork (sometimes with an added dollop of crab or crab roe), wrapped in a pleated flour dough skin, which is then steamed. But every xiao long bao also holds a delightful surprise: there's a spoonful of hot soup, made from chicken or pork, sometimes both, inside. "Pian Er Chuan" Noodle(片儿川面) Very delicious noodle made in spiced soup with lean pork, bamboo shoots and a local vegetable called Xue Cai (snow vegetable). Making of the noodle dish can date back to a century ago。 Congbaohui(葱包桧) In Hang Zhou, a characteristic breakfast food is :"CongBaohui"(Shallot & Fried bread stick after being heated are swathed by a thin flour pancake,with sweet sauce). Traditional Restaurants Tian Wai Tian Restaurant (天外天) Founded in 1910, Hangzhou Tian Wai Tian Restaurant is located at the foot of Peak Flying From Afar of the LingYin Temple. One of the most famous restaurants in Hangzhou, this place has a capacity for 800 diners at the same time. Its location next to the temple and the forest helps cement its position as one of the origin points of Hangzhou's literary cuisine. Most of the local delicacies are known all over the world but rarely prepared as well as they are here, where they may in fact have originated.
In 1867,there was an An Hui noodle restaurant . One day,a poor student came to take an official examination here. He ordered a noodle. The boss put three eggs in the noodle, which means he hoped the student would succeed in the examination. Some years later,an elegantly dressed man walked into the noodle restaurant and ordered a noodle with three eggs. The boss recognized the young man and knew he had become a high ranking official. Since then, the noodle restaurant had won great reputation as well as flourishing business. The young official also named the restaurant Kui Yuan Guan. For over a century, the restaurant’s menu and noodle preparation has barely registered any change. Quite a number of celebrities dined here, making the restaurant even more attractive to old and new clients.
In the Qing Dynasty,a Ning Bo merchant founded a noodle restaurant by Yan Qiao in Hangzhou. The restaurant was so close to the venue of examination for officialdom,so it was named Zhuang Yuan Lou, which in translation means House for Champion of Examinees. The structure moved to the current location in 1938. It is famous for noodles of eel or crab yogurt.
(see the map) Shopping in Hangzhou Qinghefang Historical Block(河坊街) Hefang Street was opened to the public in October seven years ago. The renovated Hefan Street features on a scene of Qing Dynasty, especially the Qing culture. Currently, Hefang Street is viewed as a valuable historical relic in Hangzhou. The street stretches from Wushan Square all the way down to Zhonghe road. On the way to check out the old stuff, you can pick up some new. There are the touristy tidbits: swords, masks, paintings, chops, tea, etc. But, you can also find some interesting stuff. Definitely be prepared to bargain, and if you can’t get them down, wait until nightfall then hit the Night Market. Bus route: Bus No 8, K8, 30, 38 Xinhua Road Silk Market(新华丝绸市场) The Silk Market is an old-time favorite when looking for small gifts or fabric for that robe. They have a range of quality and taste, and it's all nicely priced. The cluster of shops makes it easier to find bargains because if one doesn't agree, most often someone next door will. Bus Route: Bus 21 K21 35 K35 K30 35 K35 32 K32 K101 5 K5 K199 K281 Nanshan Road Arts and Leisure Street(南山路艺术休闲特色街) There are lots of resorts for entertainment and leisure on Nanshan Road. Numerous classical and elegant tea houses, fashionable and top grade coffee bars, bars of western style, exciting and romantic entertainment venues, night clubs and disco halls, and fashionable golf, tennis, fitness, hot spring, foot message have provided numerous choices of entertainment and leisure in this area. Hangzhou is known as the Eastern Capital of leisure for its particular leisure atmosphere. Bus Route: Bus Y9.K850.K4.12/K12.809.K102 Xinyifang Walking Street(信义坊) Xinyifang Walking Street is located north of Hangzhou. It consists of 11 low commerce buildings featuring traditional Chinese cultural with a total floor space of 30, 000 square meters. Three bridges connect the buildings and streets on two shores of the cannel. This project is belonging to “Great Cannel Cultural Construction Project”. It is a focus of food, commerce, entertainment and culture, trying to meet the demand of fashion and leisure for the citizens. Bus Route: Bus No.K555, K285,K30, 845 Y8, 15, 70 What you can buy in Hangzhou Dragon Well Tea(龙井茶) Hangzhou Silk(杭州丝绸) Hangzhou White Chrysanthemum(杭州白菊) Hangzhou White Chrysanthemum enjoys equal popularity with the Dragon Tea. It was tribute during the old times. Hangzhou White Chrysanthemum can be used both as beverage and medicine. The way of making chrysanthemum drink is the same as tea. Scientific researches show that Hangzhou White Chrysanthemum is composed of prune, amino acid, and vitamins, and has curative effect to hypertension, migraine, and acute conjunctivitis. Chrysanthemum drink is sweet in taste and fragrant in smells. Embroidery(杭州刺绣) Hangzhou embroidery is a long established art and craft. Flourishing in the Southern Song Dynasty, it is inseparable from silkworm-raising, silk-reeling and weaving. During that period, they were divided into two types, one for royal family, and the other for common civilians. Embroidery is now used for decoration, fashion and other items like quilt cover, screen and fresco. Hangzhou Fan(杭州扇子) In the Southern Song Dynasty, Hangzhou was famous for its fan making. Since the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the most famous fans are the black paper fans and sandalwood fans. The most famous fan in Hangzhou is Wangxingji Fan(王星记扇子)
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