Hangzhou: Heaven on Earth
“Heaven above, Hangzhou below" is a Chinese saying which describes a paradise on earth. Hangzhou has been immortalized by countless poets and artists. Marco Polo supposedly visited in the late 13th century and described the city as, ‘beyond dispute the finest and the noblest in the world.’
But it may not have only been the pagodas, temples and the stunning West Lake that Marco adored. Perhaps it was something in the water…
Tea is an essential part of Hangzhou's economy and culture. On the first day of Chinese lunar New Year a cup of tea is offered to the Goddess of Mercy to bring year long well-being. Tea is also the last betrothal gift given to the parents of 
would be brides to confirm marital relations.
In Hangzhou, the local Longjing (龙井) which literally translates as “Dragon Well” is China’s most famous green tea. It is believed that the perennial waters of the Dragon Well, a spring southeast of West Lake, opens to the ocean where the sea-dragon lives. Longjing grows on the surrounding hills and its brilliant emerald green leaves are renowned throughout China for their beauty.
Teahouses line the West Lake and huddle in the valleys. Traditionally, these teahouses serve Longjing with spring water from Hupao (虎跑, “Tiger Run”), also located next to the West Lake.
Longjing is divided into seven grades, the two top being “Superior” (旗枪qiqiang) and “Special” (雀舌 queshe), and the rest numbered from one down to five. High-grade Dragon Well is often displayed in luxury shops like jewellery, yet many of the poorest local people consider it a necessity.
Naturally, culturally and historically beautiful, Hangzhou is as inspiring as a pot of its famous Longjing....
Eat
A great poet of Song Dynasty once praised Hangzhou’s cuisine as follows: “There is no food that can compare with the Hangzhou cuisine.” The dishes have a reputation for freshness, tenderness and a mellow fragrance.
Try the West Lake Sour Fish or cuyu, for a delicious vinegar sauce, or the dongpo rou, a fatty portion of pork in syrup. Also popular is the fragrant Steam Rice Flower and Pork Wrapped in Lotus Leaves.
For economical eating head to a street-side stand or dig into some dumplings at the corner of Tianmushan and Hangda Roads where you can feast on a plateful of dumplings from around ¥6 to ¥18. Up market appetites can head to the famous Lou Wai Lou (楼外楼), which sits on the only natural island on the West Lake.
Explore
Technically, there are “10 Scenes of the West Lake” and “10 New Scenes”, which are seasonal, for example “Snowfall Over Broken Bridge”. Romantics will appreciate the Mid-Lake Pavilion where the Qing Emperor inscribed Chong Er, or “Endless Love” on the Qing Dynasty-era stone arch.
Linyin Temple (meaning "heart of the soul's retreat"), is an active Buddhist temple at the base of a hill. Ride the chairlift to the top to one of the oldest and most famous temples in China and see hundreds of Buddhist stone statues carved into the cliffs.
Shop
Visit the silk market on Tiyuchang Road or the night market off Yangan Road. Find Mao memorabilia, jewellery, paper fans, pipes, silk-screen prints and embroidery. Don’t be afraid to bargain and remember that antiques and pearls are not always genuine.
The Electronics Markets, on Wensan Road, has much to offer including desktop computers, laptops, computer software, cell phones, mp3 players, and storage media.
There are also several bird and flower markets in town. Of particular interest is the market next to Wushan Square. On multiple floors, this market is stuffed with pets and plants, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), including dried snake and seahorse, giant dried mushrooms and other exotic items.
Transport Tips
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Almost any bus that has a ‘Y’ before the bus number (Y2, Y5, etc) will be youke – a tourist bus, and guaranteed to take you to a tourist site for ¥3 to ¥5. Be prepared as no change is given.
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Ferry down the Grand Canal takes 30 minutes but only makes four trips per day, the first at 7:30am and the last at 6:00pm. It starts at Wulin Gate/West Lake Culture Plaza and ends at Gongchen Bridge, with one stop at Xingyifang Grand Canal Culture Plaza.
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Pick up a free copy of More Hangzhou at many hotels and bars for a helpful pull-out map in Chinese and English.
Getting there
Fly to China with AirAsia via Kuala Lumpur from Gold Coast Airport. Air Asia now flies 7 times weekly from Gold Coast Airport to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Why not stay at the Tune Hotel, which charges by the hour, on your stop over in Kuala Lumpur? Find out more.
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