China Travel

The Lingyin Temple (Lingyin Si), which literally means "where the divine rest in seclusion," has long been considered one of the most important Zen Buddhist temples in China. Established in 326 AD, Lingyin is located at Feilai Feng ("the Peak That Flew Hither") making it one of Hangzhou's most significant and popular attractions. Founded by a legendary Indian monk named Huili, Lingyin is lined with various limestone sculptures and smaller shrines, including Ligong Pagoda and the Hall of the Heavenly King. In its heyday, the temple featured nine towers, 18 pavilions, 72 halls and housed some 3,000 monks, although it has been destroyed and rebuilt 16 times and is now comprised of structures dating back to the Qing Dynasty. more »

About twenty minutes up the Qiantang River from Liuhe Pagoda, the creeks and gullies make for a lovely stroll or bike ride through attractive countryside. Heading north from the river, the main path passes through paddies and tea terraces, along pleasant streams and, ultimately, to a small lagoon, a teahouse and the Longjing Tea Plantations further into the hills, terminating at Longjing Village. You can also head south from the village toward the river.   Give yourself at least three or four hours to explore the creeks and gullies by foot or make it part of a larger Hangzhou bicycle ride. If you've had your fill of West Lake, the creeks and gullies make for a nice break from the crowds and go well with a visit to either Liuhe or the Tea Museum.   more »

The Chinese, as a culture, love to rank, number and list things at least as much as a bunch of American sports fans or music geeks. Hence, one doesn't merely visit a famed attraction and see it, as it were, for oneself; rather one follows in the footsteps of millions who went before, and one heeds the collective touristic wisdom that has arisen from many centuries of group tours, list-making, phrase-coining and guide book writing. (If one doesn't, one just may be a barbarian.) Hence, when you visit Hangzhou's West Lake (Xi Hu), you should know that there are a semi-official Ten Views of West Lake (actually, they're rather official, each being marked by a stele inscribed with four characters written in the calligraphy of the Qianlong Emperor, who ruled Qing China from 1735-1796 and kept a holiday palace on the lake). The Su Causeway is at the very top of the list. If you're there i... more »

Solitary Island (Gu Shan) sits in the northwest corner of West Lake (Xi Hu), linked to the mainland by the Bai Causeway. The largest island on the lake and a lovely place to wander and explore, the island affords visitors fine lake views and a number of significant attractions. For anyone interested in Chinese history, symbolism or legend, the island is crowded with fascinating monuments and sites. For those simply after a pleasant day outdoors amidst beautiful scenery, Solitary Island fits the bill nicely.   On the north side of the island are Wenlan Pavilion, Zhongshan Park and the Zhejiang Provincial Museum, housed in part of an old imperial palace. On the west side the Xiling Seal Society sits atop a scenic hill. The Tomb of Qiu Jin, a female revolutionary, is at the foot of the hill. Qiu Jin was an early pro-democracy campaigner and part of Sun Yatsen's team of national... more »

Liuhe Ta (Six Harmonies Pagoda) stands south of West Lake, aside the Qiantang River. The sixty-meter (196 ft) tall pagoda was built during the Song Dynasty in part to gain the favor and assistance of Heaven in warding off floods and in moderating the Qiantang's unique tidal bore, when a massive wall of water rushes upstream under optimal lunar conditions. The Qiantang's is the world's largest, rising up to 9 meters (30 ft) and attaining speeds up to 40 km per hour (25 mph). If you happen to be in Hangzhou during the autumn equinox and Mid-Autumn Festival the temple is a popular spot from which to witness this rare phenomenon. Otherwise, the bore occurs twice monthly at the time of the highest tides. Divinely assisted flood control aside (or Dragon King control, as popular lore would have it), the pagoda has traditionally served as a lighthouse for sailors. Destroyed during fig... more »

The Xiling Seal Society is a charming institution dedicated to the study, preservation and creation of classical Chinese inscriptions, printmaking and painting. Located in West Lake (Xi Hu) on Gushan (Solitary Island) just opposite Zhongshan Park, the Society boasts a history of over 1,900 years.   The Society has produced numerous books on classical Chinese artforms. Today, you can see the writers and artists at work and visit a small shop selling examples of their efforts.   more »

One of the traditional "Ten Views of West Lake," the sight of the lake under an autumn moon so struck Qing Emperor Qianlong that he had a pavilion specially constructed on the Bai Causeway from which to view the moon reflecting off the calm waters.   As with other views of the lake, such as the Su Causeway's "Spring Dawn," timing is important. If, however, you find yourself in Hangzhou in the middle of the summer and only have an afternoon to do the lake, you'll still find the pavilion a pleasant spot for a moment's rest and a view of Hangzhou's best-loved body of water.   The Bai Causeway connects the north shore of the lake to Gu Shan (Solitary Island), and the area immediately surrounding the pavilion is beautifully landscaped, with verandas and additional pavilions creating a marvelous—if awfully crowded during high season—classical... more »

Also known as "Tiger Running Dream Spring" (Hupao Meng Quan), this is one of the nicest parks in Hangzhou, filled with teahouses, well-tended trees and shady pavilions.   Legend has it that when the sage Xing Kong visited Hangzhou he bemoaned the lack of fresh water and quickly made plans to leave. Suddenly, a god appeared before him and told him not to worry: two tigers had been dispatched to bring water. Sure enough, the next day the tigers came running and spring water began to flow.   The spring remains (though the tigers are long gone) and is now one of the best-known in Hangzhou. The combination of the longjing tea and spring water is reputed to be uniquely refreshing and healthful—try some and see for yourself.   more »

Hangzhou's premier tourist attraction, West Lake (Xi Hu), is renowned for beautiful scenery of the sort that has inspired countless paintings and poems. Gardens and pagodas are scattered along its shores. Two willow-lined stone walkways and a long arched causeway traverse the lake, and boats for hire travel to the lake's two islands, Yingzhou and Gu Shan (Solitary Hill Island). Gu Shan is home to a restaurant, Louwailou Caiguan, Zhongshan Park and the Zhejiang Provincial Museum. One of the best ways to get around the lake and take in the sights is by bicycle—rentals are widely available.   more »

The Mausoleum of General Yue Fei is one of Hangzhou's most popular attractions among Chinese tourists, who view Yue as a patriotic hero. The historical Yue Fei lived in Southern Song Dynasty China during the 12th century AD, at a time when China was split between the ethnically Han Song and the rival Jin Dynasty, ruled by ethnic Jurchens from the north. The Jin had conquered the north of China, pushing the Song out of their capital Kaifeng and taking the Emperor Qinzong captive. Yue fought the Jin valiantly, but was betrayed by corrupt officials who had him imprisoned and executed as part of a plot to sign a peace treaty with the Jin that would prevent the return of the captured Qinzong, allowing the new Song emperor, Gaozong, to remain in power in the south.   Yue Fei certainly had many virtues and talents, but the fantastic tales of feats and abilities bordering on the sup... more »