Shangri-La Hotel, Hangzhou

WEST LAKE
Over the years, Hangzhou has been known for the beauty and tranquility of its West Lake. It is surrounded by hills on three sides and the downtown area faces it on one side.

There are three causeways across the Lake, namely Bai Causeway, Su Causeway and Yanggong Causeway which is recently completed. Together, they divide the Lake into five parts: The outer Lake, the north inner Lake, the west inner Lake, the south Lake and the Yue Lake. Three man-made islands appear on the outer Lake as well as Solitary Hill. Several parks with different styles, such as Viewing Fish at Flower Harbor, Tai Zi Wan Park, Orioles Singing in the Willows and Lotus Swaying in Summer Breeze surround the Lake.

Many scenic spots such as Tiger Spring, Dragon Well, Jade Spring, Nine Streams and Eighteen Gullies, Bamboo Forest at Yunxi, Yellow Dragon Cave etc. are nestled in the emerald hills.

Completed in 2002, The South Bank of West Lake Scenic Area has become another tourists? destination. From the First Park to the Long Bridge Park, this scenic area covers 18 renovated places of historic and cultural interest dotted alongside the south bank of West Lake.

West Lake Westward Project which features the natural ecology finished in October, 2003. Lead by the policy of ?Renovation, Irrigation, Beautification & Creation?, this project makes West Lake larger and more beautiful than before with the renovation of Yanggong Causeway .

As the heart of Hangzhou, Hubin Area which is also renovated in 2003 has always been a must for visitors. Buildings in New Hubin Area combines both Western and Chinese architectural styles and they can provide tourists with business, tourism, leisure and entertainment functions.

WEST LAKE UNDERGROUND TUNNEL
The tunnel built under the West Lake makes it possible for transportation around the West Lake to go through underground. With its completion, Hubin Street now is only for walkers and more areas around it has been greenized.

YANGGONG CAUSEWAY

In Ming Dynasty, Mr. Yang, local governor of Hangzhou, built a long causeway with six bridges on it , known as ?inner six bridges?. After the implementation of West Lake Westward Project, Yanggong Causeway as well as inner six bridges reveals the same beautiful scenery as 300 years ago.

TOMB AND TEMPLE OF YUE FEI
These are located to the northwest of the West Lake, or at the west end of Beishan Lu right next to the Shangri-La, Hotel. A famous general and national hero who lived in the Song Dynasty, Yue successfully fought the Kin invaders but was framed and put to death by his enemies. In 1162, to assuage public indignation, the case was redressed and a tomb was later built below Qixia Ridge in honor of Yue Fei.

LINGYIN TEMPLE AND FEILAI PEAK
The massive and spectacular Lingyin Temple (Temple of the Soul?s Retreat) was initially built in AD 326. It is one of the ten most celebrated Buddhist monasteries in China. The 19.6-metre-high statue of Sakyamuni carved from camphor wood and gilded with gold inside the Grand Hall of the temple is a masterpiece.

Opposite the Lingyin Temple stands the Feilai Peak. At 167 metres, it is marked by a multitude of rocks and limestone caves with some 380 stone sculptures. Most of them dated back to the 10th and 11th centuries and are now under the protection of the state government.

SIX HARMONIES PAGODA
Rising from the Hill of Lunar Ring some eight kilometres from the city area, this ancient pagoda overlooks the Qiantang River. It has a history of more than 1000 years and was built in AD 970, during the Northern Song Dynasty. It is a 60-metre-high octagon of a brick interior of 7 storeys and a wooden exterior with 13 storeys. A spiral staircase leads to its top where one can have an excellent view of the Qiantang River. This structure is of high architectural, cultural and historical importance.

DRAGON WELL
This famous spring is found a little more than nine kilometres from Hangzhou?s urban district, in a hill southwest of West Lake. The interesting thing about Dragon Well water is that when stirred, a squirming ripple will gradually shrink from the outside to the inside before it finally disappears. This is probably because of the collision of the surface water and the underground spring water. Such a phenomenon is more obvious on a rainy day. Visiting the Dragon Well after rain has always been one of the West Lake attractions.

LONG JING TEA PLANTATION
Taking advantage of its geographic location and mild climatic condition, agricultural civilization in Hangzhou started very early. Over the years, it has been known as "The Home of Silk and Tea". The Longjing (Dragon Well) green tea produced in Hangzhou is world renowned for its exceptional qualities in colour, fragrance and taste. On display at the tea museum adjacent to the plantation is the history of Chinese tea, the distribution networks, utensils, customs, manufacturing and literature on tea.

Longjing tea is classified into 16 grades and the best grade is the first picking in April. Tea bushes can be picked up to 30 times until October. The leaves used to be dried in metal trays over a fire of twigs, but today, heat is provided by electricity. In Spring, visitors can pick their own tea leaves and have it "fried and dried" on the spot.

HUAGANG PARK
Huagang, or Flower Harbour Park, has been built during the Qing period. The park is beautifully landscaped and is well known for its peony garden and a large pond full of carp and goldfish with sizes ranging from 40 to 80cm.


CHINA NATIONAL SILK MUSEUM
Hangzhou silk received its fame in Tang and Song Dynasties which was further enhanced by the famous "Silk Road". Visitors to the museum can have a better understanding of the long history of silk production in China and the traditional manufacturing. Visitors can also view the collection of colorful and splendid silk products made in the past dynasties.

XILING SEAL ENGRAVERS? SOCIETY
Situated at the southwest foot of Solitary Hill, this society was founded in 1904 during the reign of the Qing Emperor Guangxu by a group of Chinese seal artists. The area is graced by pavilions and towers skillfully laid out on the hillside, and these, together with winding paths and pines, present a scenery typical of south China. Every year, the Society offers a number of international cultural exchange programs.

HUQING YUTANG MUSEUM OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE
Huqing Yutang is the name of a famous pharmacy selling traditional Chinese medicine which was founded in the 19th century. The house is of the typical garden architectural style in southern China. The museum is built inside the pharmacy and it has a wide collection of valuable literature works on traditional Chinese medicine as well as a large variety of traditional medicines.


SHOPPING
Spend an entire day bargain-hunting for antiques, souvenirs and carpets. Hangzhou is an important silk centre and offers a fine selection of silk textiles, satin, brocade and embroideries. Local glassware is also a good buy. The world-famous Long Jing Tea (Dragon Well) is a must for all visitors.

Not to be missed is the night market with all sorts of trinkets and souvenirs. Haggle with the friendly vendors for paintings, costume jewelry, seals and other interesting buys.

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