Hangzhou Honglou Hotel

Stroll along the West Lake

by Paul2001

The West Lake is the major draw for tourists to Hangzhou. It is often considered to be the most beautiful lake in China. The bright blue lake is exquisite with its back drop of green hill that surround it on three sides. The West Lake is not large being only six square kilometers. The eastern bank of the lake has lengthy promenade where every seems to stroll up and down for hours. Sadly there are quite a few prostitute looking customers here after dark.
There are hourly water fountains dances here. These are water fountains that seem to dance to classical music that is piped through speakers. It is a great place for people watching and seeing the Chinese at play.
For me the highlight of the West Lake were the several islets that dot the western portion of the lake. These can be visited by way of cruise boat, which I highly recommend, and by causeway. The causeways are tree lined and very pretty. There are also many pagodas, museums and temples nearby. To visit all the attractions along the lake takes full day.
I approached the West Lake and Hangzhou with a bit of cynicism. Many of the attractions in China can be something of a letdown. This was not the case with the West Lake which I look upon with favourable memories.

LingYing Temple, ÁéÒþËÂ

by blacksnail

The first place we visited in Hangzhou after Lunch was LingYing Temple, ÁéÒþËÂ, where there is a Flew in Mountain·ÉÀ´·å¡£Ling Ying Temple (sounds like Lim Yeen¡¯s temple) is one of the oldest temple in China, which used to be even bigger than Shaolin. There is a Mountain in this area named Flew in Mountain. According to the Crazy Monk (¼Ã¹«) legend, there was one great morning when the Crazy Monk knows there will be a mountain flying in from somewhere, and he told people in the village but no one believe him. So He thought of an idea, he snatched someone¡¯s bride and ran out of the village. Everyone in the village ran after him and got out of the village. So as soon as all of them left the village, the mountain landed and destroyed the village. So after this happened, they started to crave statues of buddha all over this mountain to prevent this mountain from flying away again. Angela is posing with the resting place of the Crazy Monk. And this place is Really beautiful!

Heaven on Earth

by yipsufen

"West Lake"

Hangzhou is one of the seven capitals in ancient China, renowned for its scenic beauty. It's the city for Zhejiang Province, situated beside Qiantang River.

There are scenic wonders such as the West Lake, Lingyin Temple, Six Harmony Pagoda, etc.

It was fondly described by Marco Polo as the heaven on earth.

For more information, please visit these websites:-
www.hangzhou.com.cn
www.gotohz.com

West Lake is the nucleus for Hangzhou. The distance encircling West Lake is about 15km. Olden
poets have invented the reputable "Ten Scenic Beauties of West Lake" in connection to its unique surroundings & changes in four seasons. They are Solitary Hill, Bai Causeway, Su Causeway, Three Pools Reflecting the Moon, Waves of Willows Listening to Orioles, Watching Fish at Floral Port, Baoshu Pagoda, Six Harmony Pagoda, Tiger Spring, Tomb and Temple of General Yue Fei and Lingyin Temple.

(Note: Translation may not be so accurate.)

"Qing He Square"

This is a street renovated to imitate an ancient street of Soong Dynasty with shops selling souvenirs, arts, crafts, clothings, snacks, etc. Entrance is free.

"Soong Dynasty Theme Park"

It's like a movie world / theme park filled with lots of entertainment, activities & shows. The architecture & landscape are structured according to the characteristics / style during the Soong Dynasty.