A poetic tour of Hangzhou with rivers, lakes, seas and streams
The beauty of Hangzhou lies in the combination of its unique natural landscape and profound cultural heritage. If you take a cultural tour, you will be able to feel its poetic charm.
Hangzhou is a city with five waters: rivers, lakes, streams, seas and creeks. Water is the root and soul of Hangzhou, so Hangzhou is also known as the “Water City”.
The so-called rivers refer to Xin’an River, Fuchun River and Qiantang River. Its source is Qiandao Lake, and along the river are Xin’an River and Fuchun River, and Qiantang River flows eastward into the sea. It is 235 kilometers long and is the most beautiful three-river landscape in China, and is the “Tang Poetry Road” on the water in western Zhejiang.
The most famous lake is the West Lake. It is the first world cultural heritage in Hangzhou and an outstanding example of Chinese landscape aesthetics. It has become the lake of love in the hearts of Chinese people because it is home to two of the four great love stories in China, “The Legend of the White Snake” and “Butterfly Lovers”.
When we talk about rivers, we are referring to the Grand Canal. It is the earliest and longest canal in the world and the second world cultural heritage in Hangzhou. The two banks of the Gongchen Bridge at the southernmost end and Xiaohezhi Street continue the atmosphere of the canal people; the Hangzhou Handicraft Living Museum allows you to experience the charm of intangible cultural heritage.
The sea refers to Hangzhou Bay, where the Qiantang River meets the sea. Because the river mouth is shaped like a trumpet, a spectacular Qiantang tide forms on the 18th day of the eighth lunar month every year, which is known as a “world wonder”. To resist the tide, successive dynasties have built seawalls with a total length of 317 kilometers, fully reflecting the wisdom and creativity of our ancestors.
As for the creek, it is Xixi. It is the only national wetland park in China that integrates urban wetlands, agricultural wetlands and cultural wetlands. Every year during the Dragon Boat Festival, the Xixi Dragon Boat Festival gathers more than 300 dragon boats from all over the country, and dragon boat racing is very performative and entertaining.
5000Cultural in-depth encounter
Hangzhou is also a famous historical and cultural city in China. Its 5,000-year-long brilliant civilization has given birth to Hangzhou’s splendid culture. Since it was established as a county seat in the Qin Dynasty, it has a history of more than 2,200 years.
As early as 8,000 years ago, the ancestors of Hangzhou lived on the banks of Xianghu Lake, growing rice and fishing for a living. The canoes unearthed from the Kuahuqiao site confirm the wisdom of their ancestors.
The Liangzhu Ancient City, built 5,000 years ago, is the third World Cultural Heritage in Hangzhou. It is known as the “dawn of Chinese civilization” and is a testament to China’s 5,000-year history of civilization.
From 907 to 978 AD, the Wuyue Kingdom, one of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, established its capital in Hangzhou and built seawalls to protect the country and its people.
From 1127 to 1279, the Southern Song Dynasty established its capital in Hangzhou, which quickly became China’s largest city with flourishing commerce, culture and art. In Songcheng, you can watch the “Songcheng Eternal Love” listed as one of the “three most famous shows in the world”; in Deshou Palace, you can visit the protection of the Southern Song Dynasty palace ruins and unearthed cultural relics.
In fact, Hangzhou is also the happiest city in China, a leisure capital where people can enjoy the Song Dynasty style of Hangzhou life.
The only place of production of West Lake Longjing
Hangzhou is also the only place of production of West Lake Longjing, the top green tea in China. Traditional Chinese tea-making techniques such as West Lake Longjing green tea production and Jingshan Tea Banquet and their related customs have been selected as the United Nations Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Hangzhou is also known as the Tea Capital of China.
Hangzhou is the main silk producing area. Chinese sericulture and silk weaving techniques such as Hangzhou Luo weaving and Qingshui silk cotton have also been selected as the United Nations Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It is one of the important node cities on the “Silk Road” in history.
The Southern Song Dynasty established its capital in Hangzhou, where famous chefs from the north and south gathered together. Hangzhou cuisine reached its peak, focusing on original flavor, light and less greasy, fresh and tender, with color, fragrance and taste. At the same time, Hangzhou people are good at using traditional Chinese medicine to regulate their bodies and treat diseases. A number of century-old brands have been passed down to this day, including the “King of Medicine in Jiangnan” Hu Qingyu Tang, Fang Huichun Tang, Ye Zhongde Tang and other century-old brands.
Hangzhou is most charming at night. You can enjoy the light show on a night tour of West Lake and Qiantang River, or watch night performances such as “Hangzhou I Miss Most” and “Together with Xixi Tonight”.
Hangzhou is a city that makes people linger. Its culture is like the long-lasting fragrance of tea, which becomes more mellow the more you taste it; its scenery is like a beautiful poem, with endless charm.
