Hangzhou

Author: Editorial Committee of "China Travel Guide"
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2002-01-01
Features: Hangzhou is located in the northeastern part of Zhejiang Province, about 180 kilometers away from Shanghai. It is one of China's historically renowned seven ancient capitals and has been designated by the State Council as a key scenic tourist city and a famous historical and cultural city. Since the establishment of county administration during the Qin Dynasty, Hangzhou has a history of over 2,200 years. The Wu-Yue Kingdom of the Five Dynasties and the Southern Song Dynasty both chose Hangzhou as their capital. Hangzhou has long been celebrated for its picturesque scenery and is known as the "Paradise on Earth." It boasts two closely connected national-level scenic areas—the famous West Lake and the Fuchun River–Xin'an River (Qiandao Lake)—as well as renowned scenic spots such as the Qianchao tidal bore, the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, and the Xitianmu Mountain National Nature Reserve. Additionally, it is adjacent to the world-famous mountainous scenic spot Huangshan and the historical and cultural city of Shaoxing, connecting popular tourist destinations like Putuo Mountain, Ningbo, Fenghua Xikou, Yandang Mountain, and Mount Tai, making it an ideal place for leisure and a transit point for sightseeing. Hangzhou is not only blessed with breathtaking scenery but also rich in culture and advanced science and technology. The lakeside area of West Lake is dotted with many famous cave sculptures, inscriptions, and ancient buildings, all of which are precious artistic treasures of China. Generations of celebrities have left behind abundant historical relics, poetry, calligraphy, and paintings in Hangzhou. The city also gave birth to great figures such as Bi Sheng, the inventor of movable-type printing—one of China's four great inventions—and Shen Kuo, an outstanding scientist and author of "Dream of the Red Chamber." The famous Italian traveler Marco Polo praised Hangzhou as the "most beautiful and noble city in the world." It can be said that Hangzhou is not only Chinese but also global.