Hangzhou Where Tradition Meets Innovation

Mount Tianmu
Mount Tianmu
One of China’s ancient mountains, Mount Tianmu lies within the borders of Lin’an City, 84 kilometers west of Hangzhou.

The concept of humanity as an integral part of nature has underpinned the development of Hangzhou for millennia. Notable for its place in Chinese history and culture, Hangzhou is also a garden city endowed with hills and waters. It is the poetic ideal of a Chinese homeland that balances lakes with urban areas, and hills with city lanes.

The city pattern of Hangzhou is characterized by the integration of urban life with natural landscape.

It offers a fine example of how an ancient Eastern city was created.

The heart of Hangzhou is West Lake, which lies in the western part of the city. The urban district is located on the east side, and areas that are ecologically protected or dedicated to tourism and leisure are located on the city’s north, south, and west sides.

Water is ubiquitous in Hangzhou. West Lake, the Grand Canal, the Xixi Wetland, the Qiantang River, and the East China Sea have all shaped the land, and the moist climate makes Hangzhou a very pleasant place to live.

Striding into the 21st century, the city has implemented a plan that balances the protection of West Lake’s natural ecology with the development needs of the economy and urban life. Guided by this plan, the city has developed areas along the Qiantang River.

Fuchun River
Fuchun River
The Fuchun River flows 110 kilometers through Zhejiang Province. The upper course of the Qiantang River, it is renowned for its lush scenery and balanced ecology.

Grand Canal
Grand Canal
The Grand Canal is one of the oldest artificial waterways in the world. Beginning in Hangzhou and reaching as far north as Beijing, the canal is approximately 2,700 kilometers long.

Xin’an River
Xin’an River
The Xin’an River is one of the two upper courses of the Qiantang River system, flowing approximately 90 kilometers before entering the Fuchun River.

Liangzhu Culture Site: Settled 5,300 to 4,500 years ago, the Liangzhu culture site is located in the northern part of the city’s Yuhang District...

Southern Song Culture: When the Southern Song Dynasty moved its capital to Lin’an (modern Hangzhou) in 1138, it brought along the culture of the Central Plains.Their gradual integration evolved...

Wuyue Culture: In 923, Qian Liu was named the King of Wuyue, and Xifu (mod-ern Hangzhou) was designated the capital.During their rule of Wuyue...

Baopu Daoist Temple: Situated just north of West Lake, Baopu Taoist Temple was founded during the Jin Dynastyand is considered a sacred site by the Complete Reality (Quanzhen) school of Taoism.

Phoenix Mosque: Located on Hangzhou’s Middle Zhongshan Road, the Phoenix Mosque is one of the four oldest Islamic mosques in China’s coastal areas. It is the center of Islamic worship in Hangzhou.

Huiyin Gaoli Temple: Formerly known as Huiyin Buddhist Temple, Huiyin Gaoli (Korean) Temple is situated between Chishan Port and Yucen Hill on the west side of West Lake.Founded in 927, the temple derives its name from a Korean prince.

Jingshan Temple: Located in northwest of Hangzhou, Jingshan Temple was founded in 745, during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang. In times of prosperity, the temple complex housed more than 1,700 monks in more than 1,000 rooms.

Lou Wai Lou: Restaurant Lou Wai Lou Restaurant was founded by Hong Ruitang in 1848, during the Qing Dynasty. Located by West Lake at 30 Gushan Road, it is renowned for serving traditional Hangzhou dishes and is a perfect place to view the West Lake scenery.

Dujinsheng Silk Brocade Museum: Du Jinsheng was a famous Chinese silk industrialist. He firstly established the Dujinsheng Silk Weaving Mill in 1922 at his home in Hangzhou’s Maojiabu Village. Since then, his name has come to represent the art and craft of silk brocade.

Longjing Imperial Tea Garden: This tea destination is situated at Lion Peak Hill (Shifengshan) in Longjing Village, the birthplace of West Lake Longjing tea. The garden possesses 18 ancient tea trees. Qing Dynasty Emperor Qianlong designated them exclusively for imperial use.

China National Silk Museum: Located at the foot of Yuhuangshan and south of West Lake, China’s first National Silk Museum was established in 1992 as the world’s largest specialized silk museum. The museum houses silk-related historical relics dating from the Neolithic era onward.

Qiandao Lake Cycling Routes
Qiandao Lake Cycling Routes

West Lake Hills Fitness Trails
West Lake Hills Fitness Trails

Fund Town
Fund Town

Dream Town
Dream Town

Xiaoying Alley Community: The historic Xiaoying Alley is near Hangzhou’s Mashi Street. Its residents became famous for their public hygiene work in the mid-20th century. In 1958, Mao Zedong, the founding leader of the People’s Republic of China, visited the community and praised their work.The Xiaoying Alley Community is renowned in China for taking the initiative in patriotic public health campaigns.

Our Roundtable – a TV Program: This television talkshow focuses on discussing issues of urban development and people’s livelihoods. The program invites scholars, citizens, entrepreneurs, media personnel, and government officials to engage in dialogue to reach common understanding on questions of urban governance, environmental protection, transportation, education, culture, and other topics.

Youth Activity Center: The “Do City” Youth and Children’s Development and Experience Center is located in the Hangzhou CBD. It is China’s first and Asia’s largest children’s educational experience venue. Here, children can choose their ideal job, experience real social activities, and learn how to achieve remuneration through work, which lays a cognitive foundation for future growth.

West Lake Smiling Volunteer Kiosk: In August 2010, the first volunteer-run tourist information and public service kiosk appeared at Hangzhou’s West Lake. The volunteers always have a smile on their faces, so the structure they work in is known to the public as the West Lake Smiling Volunteer Kiosk. It offers ten free items and services to visitors, including tourist maps, first-aid kits, sewing kits, umbrellas, and wheelchairs.

Poet-Mayors Su and Bai: Hangzhou has been governed by two mayors who were also lauded as poets: Bai Juyi and Su Dongpo.

Butterfly Lovers Legend and Wansong Academy: This plaintive and touching love story has been called the Romeo and Juliet of the East.

Legend of the White Snake: Lauded as one of the four great Chinese folktales about love, the Legend of the White Snake was inscribed on China’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Jack Ma: In early 1999, a team of 18 smart young people was gathered at Ma’s 100-square-meter home in Hang zhou’s Hupan Garden community to begin planning another vigorous new business.