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Hangzhou, ancient water town"
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Visit to one of China's historic "water towns"Marco Polo passed through Hangzhou in the 13th century and called it one of the most splendid cities in the world. Today, Hangzhou is a bustling lakeside "water town" popular with Chinese holiday-makers. The enormous Xi Hu (West Lake) retains the romance of long ago, with misty vistas that seem to have been lifted from a painted scroll.Depart early with your private guide, car and driver. The destination today is the popular holiday destination of Xi Hu, the West Lake, which lies at the heart of Hangzhou, a three hour drive by expressway from Shanghai. Along the way you will pass villages, farms, and modern apartments springing up and almost always featuring curious towers and panes of blue reflective glass which seem to be de rigueur design touches for the upwardly mobile peasant. Upon arriving in Hangzhou we recommend that you stretch your legs and take a little walk along the lake's developed east shore just to get a feel for the wide variety of activities and attractions that Chinese tourists love to engage in. Hangzhou's most famous attraction after the lake itself is the huge Lingyin Si, the Temple of the Soul's Retreat which rises in levels on the slopes of a forested hill. As you walk into the temple compound you will pass a series of trails that wind along a huge rock face that has been carved with figures and scenes from Buddha's life. Some may enjoy hiking the maze-like paths, both for the opportunity to view hidden sacred sculptures and also for chance encounters with Chinese pilgrims and devotees. Explore the grand and magnificent temple halls with your guide, including a 20-meter-high seated Buddha carved from camphor wood. Your guide knows a nice lunch spot on the quiet west side of lake, in a nature park where you can dine at the edge of the lake amidst floating lotus. In the distance, pagodas rise like a shadowy mirage from the misty hills. Munch on local specialties like pork marinated in Shaoxing wine. After lunch, talk a walk across the lake causeway for a slice of everyday Hangzhou life and holiday pastimes: cuddling lovers, jogging students, photo-clicking country bumpkins, fishermen in no special hurry to catch anything other than a glimpse of the changing light on the water. You might enjoy going on a boat ride out to one of the little islands in the middle of the lake (although there is nothing particularly special about them). Relax, unwind, and enjoy the attention you will no doubt receive from curious and friendly locals. If you have time, Hangzhou has a number of other attractions and museums such as the Zhejian Provincial Museum and a Silk Museum, the Mausoleum of General Yue Fei, or the Six Harmonies Pagoda (give the Tiger Spring a skip though). Why not end the afternoon at a charming teahouse, where you can try a variety of herbal brews and sample local snacks from a "tea buffet" before heading back to Shanghai? 
INCLUDES: private guide, car, driver and admissions. |
