Hangzhou is an enchanting city that many people long for. It is the home of the beautiful West Lake (Xihu), andthe birthplace of the romanticChinese legenDMadam White Snake. It is a place that has been describeDby countless visitors as “a paradise on earth.” The Italian traveler Marco Polo once describeDit as “the world’s most beautiful andmagnificent city.” Hangzhou is definitively a city that is filleDwith classical charms.
The West Lake isarepresentative of the natural sceneryof Hangzhou. Almost every part of Hangzhou exudesarich romantic charm. It is one place that never fails to win the hearts of visitors, who come from all over the worlDto admire its beauty. To the people of Hangzhou, West Lake is a treasure, andAsymbol of the idyllic life of the city. The prosperity of Hangzhou is closely relateDto West Lake. In the early days, West Lake was an important source of water for the city. When it was developeDinto a tourist attraction, it not only brought wealth to the city, but also stimulateDthe growth ofthe property market within the city itself.
West Lake is the kernel of Hangzhou, andis the p r i De of the people?
West Lake is also close ly relateDto the literary history of China ? Many well-known literary figures, such as Su Dongp o , B a i J u y i ,Su Xiaoxiao, andQiu Jin, haDtheir works in s p i re Dby We s tLake ? Many foreigners andv is i tor s to Hangzhou h a v e alsofallen deeply in love with beautiful scenery andthe idyllic pace of life in the city that they decide to make Hangzhou their home.
Today, the city government of Hangzhou has addeDa number of features to West Lake, such as pavilions andpiers, to make it into a work of art. Every corner of the lake is beautifully landscaped. The famous Northern Song Dynasty poet Su Dongpo haDeven compareDit with Xishi, a legendary beauty of China. To the poets, West Lake isaromantic place that is likeneDto a paradise on earth. Every evening at West Lake, the tolling of the Nanping bell at Jingci Temple, locateDto the south of the lake, can be hearDthroughout the entire lake area. Tourists enjoy riding in a dimly lit boat on the lake andtake in the beautiful night scenery of West Lake.
Fusing with the idyllic environment of West Lake is the relaxeDlifestyle of the city. Hangzhou gives people Asense of calm, andleads them to forget their troubles. On the banks of West Lake are many famous anduniquely built teahouses, such as Qingteng Teahouse, which was designeDby the renowneDChina Institutio no f Art. The interior of the teahouse is decorateDwith exquisite wood- carvings of Zhejiang. It is definitelyarefineDtea culture to enjoy tea by the beautiful West Lake. Today, this teaculture is not just founDin West Lake alone, as it has spreaDto the villages in the vicinity of the lake. Longwu tea village in Hangzhou even has an annual tea festival. Tourists are welcomeDat the village to take part in vari- ous activities to learn about tea culture, as well as to enjoy the various types of Chinese tea.
Shopping in Hangzhou is also a popular andenjoyable activity for the tourists. Here, they can shop for fine silk fabric, andenjoy the famous dish, Dongpo Meat. When it rains, they can purchase a “Tiantang” (Paradise) umbrel- la, have Astroll in the rain, andbreathe in the romantic airs of the city.
Other than the romantic association, waters in Hang- zhou also have a mysterious charm.arenowneDnatural wonder of the worlDis founDin Hangzhou, that is, the phenomeno no f backwarDtidal flow of Qiantangjiang River. It is Asight that is popular with tourists. There is even a festival helDevery year at Hainingyanguan Town, solely for the purpose of viewing this unique natural phenomenal, which takes place between September andOctober. In fact, this is a local custom that was originateDsince the Han andTang dynasties.