A weekend in HangZhou 杭州

Join Tim and Glo as they visit West Lake, the LongJing tea terraces, chill out with a hot-pot (that's chilli not tomato, btw) and more in HangZhou, ZheJiang province, east China, just 120 miles / 180 km from ShangHai ...

[640],shadow=true,start=,stop=

What better way to end a misty, rainy day at the lake than a Hot Pot ...

[320],shadow=true,start=158,stop=

Bonus film - back in ShangHai, popping out for fried rice and chicken street food take away, passing the Bund and YuYuan Gardens by bicycle ...

[320],shadow=true,start=348,stop=584

Hangzhou, located in eastern China's Zhejiang province, is renowned for its picturesque West Lake, traditional tea culture, and historic sites. Here's a guide for tourists visiting Hangzhou:

West Lake and Scenic Areas:
West Lake (Xi Hu): This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the centerpiece of Hangzhou's natural beauty, with its serene waters, pagodas, gardens, and surrounding hills. Visitors can take boat cruises, stroll along the lakeside paths, or rent bicycles to explore the area.

Leifeng Pagoda: Situated on the southern shore of West Lake, this historic pagoda offers panoramic views of the lake and the city skyline.

Lingyin Temple (Temple of the Soul's Retreat): One of the most important Buddhist temples in China, Lingyin Temple features ancient rock carvings, serene courtyards, and a large statue of Buddha.

Xixi Wetland Park: Explore the tranquil waterways, traditional villages, and lush greenery of this scenic wetland park, located on the outskirts of Hangzhou.

Tea Culture:
Longjing (Dragon Well) Tea Plantations: Hangzhou is famous for producing Longjing tea, one of China's most prized green teas. Visitors can tour the tea plantations in the nearby hills, learn about the tea-making process, and sample freshly brewed Longjing tea.

National Tea Museum: Learn about the history, cultivation, and cultural significance of tea in China at this informative museum located on the outskirts of Hangzhou.

Historic and Cultural Sites:
Six Harmonies Pagoda (Liuhe Pagoda): This ancient pagoda offers panoramic views of the Qiantang River and the surrounding countryside. It also houses a small museum showcasing Buddhist artifacts.

Hefang Street (Qinghefang Ancient Street): Stroll along this historic street lined with traditional shops, teahouses, and snack stalls selling local delicacies and handicrafts.

China National Silk Museum: Discover the art of silk production and the history of the silk trade in China at this museum, which features exhibits on silk weaving, dyeing techniques, and cultural artifacts.

Modern Attractions:
Hangzhou Grand Canal: Take a boat cruise along the Grand Canal, the world's longest and oldest canal, to admire the historic architecture and bustling waterfront scenes.

Hangzhou CBD (Central Business District): Explore the modern side of Hangzhou with its skyscrapers, shopping malls, and vibrant nightlife.

Practical Tips:
Transportation: Hangzhou has an extensive public transportation network, including buses, subways, and taxis. Bicycles and electric scooters are also popular options for getting around the city.

Weather: Hangzhou has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild, damp winters. Spring and autumn are the best times to visit when the weather is pleasant and the landscapes are at their most beautiful.

Language: Mandarin Chinese is the official language, but English may not be widely spoken outside of tourist areas. It's helpful to learn a few basic phrases or carry a translation app.

Hangzhou's blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and modern amenities makes it a captivating destination for tourists. Whether you're exploring historic sites, indulging in tea culture, or simply enjoying the tranquility of West Lake, Hangzhou offers a memorable experience for visitors of all interests.

ZheJiang map

Featured Videos

Scenes of ancient China – HongCun 宏村

Filmed in July 2013. With Sticker Travel. First film shows the village of HongCun in AnHui province. Scenes from the film 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' were filmed in HongCun, which is close to the south slope of Mount HuangShan and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The second film shows some places from WuYuan County, JiangXi province, including LiKeng village. Many of the well-preserved structures here date back to the Tang Dynasty, around 700 AD.

Happy in Shanghai … and Macau … and Hong Kong … and ShenZhen … : )( :

With a great song by Pharrell Williams Bonus film ... Family and friends from the Philippines on a trip to Beijing ...

HanFu traditional clothing

In recent years the traditional costumes and fashion of the majority Han ethnic group are making something of a comeback; a confidence in cultural heritage in the modern world. There are 56 ethnic groups in China, all of which have their own traditional clothing, each with its own style and charm. Most ethnic groups wear their traditional clothing on special festivals and events. HanFu is a traditional clothing of the ethnic Han people, but it hasn't been a tradition to wear this as other ethnic groups do until recent years. It is one way for younger Chinese to begin rediscovering their cultural roots, arts and history ...

Collaborative architecture leading to a better life

Small office, home office (SOHO); but with friends and colleagues. GuangZhou, GuangDong province ... BeiJing hutongs ...

Official racism. Reality is so very different from the ‘official’ / MSM narrative / fairy tale – DON’T MISS THIS !

Planning War On China part 40 (the encore). From now, all similar content will be on the new Geopolitics page, so do check that out and bookmark. Something Different, health, and psychology videos are likely to also move to their own pages. So we will still cover all these aspects of life, but have more time to focus on Chinese culture and China travel. *************************** Official racism is a very important fact to consider, and because it is is based on propaganda, can be easily missed for what it really is. Yet once seen, it is all so clear. Us and Them - is the sales pitch of supremacists and bomb companies. That is ALL it is. There is no 'us and them'; that is just a scam to fool you into obedience / subservience / enslavement. The real schism is that there are real / open-eyed people, and then there are the brainwashed / believers people. Simple as that. Puppets at the top; puppets at the bottom. One life, one world, one family. One has love, or one does not. Real love doesn't have targets; real love is a light that shines in all directions. Onto the video film ... With George Galloway in conversation with Jerry's Take on China ... Bonus films ... George at his very best - don't miss it ... What is more important - life or money (power) ? Simply believe ? Or be free to see reality ?? No longer puppet. Live more ... Because it is not about 'me' (that is the scam / fantasy, and a big topic in itself - 'your problems are all your fault', is part of it); it is really about 'WE'. In China, the people are family. In the West, the people are livestock. And that is the 'threat'. [ video v=fIxPv2Dn_P0 ] Oliver Stone interviews Vladimir Putin ... Taiwan the next Ukraine ? ... Lee Camp ... [ video v=OSkpIq3T-Zc ] Racism is racism is racism. There is NO excuse, no matter how 'official' it is sold to you. Something like 3 million died in the Vietnam war (not including the carpet bombing of Laos and Cambodia), alone. This is what racism entails. How many times will this lie play out ? Meanwhile ... Peace.