Hangzhou,the capital of Zhejiang province with the sub-provincial administrative level, is the center of provincial politics, economy, culture, science and


education. It covers an area of 1.66 km2 with a population of 6.21 million. The economic development level of Hangzhou is very high, its economic strength is continuously ranked second among all provincial capitals and its economic general strength is listed in the top ten among all the big-middle cities in China. Hangzhou is not only one of the safest tourist-city, but also one of the best cities of internal securityHangzhou locates close to China east coast, in the lower reaches of the Qiantang River and at the southern end of the Grand Canal (Beijing - Hangzhou). The distance between Hangzhou and Shanghai is 200 kilometers, which is connected by the railway and highway. It only takes less than 2 hours to reach Shanghai; the trip is quite comfortable and efficient. The city tree is Camphor Tree and the city flower is Osmanthus.
As a famous scenic city in China, Hangzhou attracts more than 20 million domestic and foreign tourists every year. Hangzhou is known for its natural beauty of West Lake worldwide. “Above is paradise, below is Suzhou and Hangzhou” expresses people’s indeed praise to Hangzhou. In the Yuan Dynasty, the famous Italian traveler Marco Polo described this city as “the finest and most splendid city in the world.”

Tourist Attractions in Hangzhou:

Putuoshan

Putuoshan (Putuo Mountain) is located on one of the Zhoushan Islands in eastern Zhejiang Province, and has an area of 12.5 square kilometers, with mountain ranges in the northwest, and beaches in the southeast.
Putuoshan is noted for its rough terrain and exquisite landscape. Its main peak, the Peak of Buddhist Top, 297 meters above sea level. And endowed with the merits of both a mountain and a sea, commands a bird's eye view of all the Zhoushan Islands in the distance. The clouds like sails, scattered about, and the sea and the sky bore but a same blurred color. The island cape is encircled by numerous protruding reps and deep hidden grottoes. The sea beaches are a nice place for strolling and listening to the sound of tides that ebb and flow. Putuoshan is not only a sacred place of Buddhism-"Buddhist Land of South Sea," but also an ideal summer resort. It has a mild climate, intriguing surroundings and unique scenery. It's been likened to be a brilliant and beautiful pearl.
The existing Grand Hall was rebuilt in the 9th year of Yongzheng Reign (AD 1731) in the Qing Dynasty. It consists of over 200 structures of various types, and is the chief temple where Guanyin (a Bodhisattra) is enshrined. The construction with 9 halls, 12 pavilions and 16 houses, is magnificent and large in scale, and covers an area of 14,000 square meters. In front of the Temple lies a Haiyin (Lotus Flowers Pool). Directly facing the entrance leading to the Temple, are an 8-angled pavilion and an imperial tablet pavilion built above the center of the pool. To the southeast of the Temple, stand several pagodas, and to the southwest, stone tablets.

The island is surrounded by quite a few beaches. Baibusha Beach, along the East Coast and 1.5 km. in length, is the best bathing beach. It is flat and covered with soft golden sand.
It is sandwiched in between two steep cliffs of some 100-m. in height. The cave, as deep as 100 meters, winds it's way towards the sea. When the sea swells, the waters pour into the cave with thunderous roars. A stone stair leads from the mountain top to a rock platform built into the cave wall, half way above the bottom with a marvelous view of the sea.

West Lake

The West Lake scenic zone lies in Hangzhou City in northern Zhejiang Province, encompassing an area of 6 square kilometers. West Lake is an elliptical landscape with a water surface of 5.66 square kilometers, and a circumference of 15 km. Its famous scenic spots comprise Su Causeway, and Bai Causeway, which have partitioned the Lake into inner, outer and back lakes, Gushan (The Solitary Hill), Xiaoyingzhou (Small Fairy Island), Huxin Ting (Mid-lake Pavilion), Ruangong Dun (A mount after a provincial governor Ruangong) etc. In combination with the surrounding hills and streams, they make up the West Lake beautiful scenery.

The scenic zone shrouded in luxuriant vegetation is dotted with myriad of halls, towers, terraces, pavilions, pagodas, grottoes and temples, which were barely visible under the dense foliage of surrounding woods. The lake is embraced by emerald hills covered with lush forests, grotesque rocks, gullies and intriguing streams. They are so colorful and picturesque!

Spring Dawn at Su Causeway
It's a 2.8 km. long boulevard cutting across the south-north scenic area, and lined with trees and flowering plants. When Spring comes with crimson peach blossoms and green willows; the scenery is all the more charming. Strolling along the boulevard, one feels as if the West Lake were wakening in dawn mist. Young willows were ethereal, spring breeze so caressing, and birds were chirping in unison.

Three Pools Mirroring the Moon
Being one of the Lake's three islands, and with pools within, the scenic spot covers an area of 7 hectares. Buildings on the island include Xianci (Temple of Outstanding Men), Jiuquqiao (Bridge with 9 Twists), Yingcuixuan (Room of Ushering In Greeness), Muxiangxie (Pavilion of Wood Fragrance), and Huaniaoting (Hall of Flowers and Birds). Pavilion of Tablet inscribed with "Three Pools Mirroring the Moon" etc. By the side of the island, stand majestically three stone pagodas over the gleaming and rippling lake. The two-meter high pagodas seated each on a circular stone foundation are ball-shaped in the main body with a surface of 5 round holes orderly arrayed and relief sculptures of designs upon it, and topped by a gourd-shaped head of fine workmanship. A bridge links the southern and northern parts of the island. Pavilions, terraces, rockers and flower gardens scattered around the place. Here blossoms vary with the seasons: magnolia, lilac in Spring; crape myrtle, lotus flower, water lily in summer; orange osmanthus in autumn, and winter sweet in winter.

Ping Hu Qiu Yue

Located at Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, the Ping Hu Qiu Yue Park is one of the ten scenic spots of the West Lake. It is situated at the west end of the White Embankment with a solitary hill at its back, surrounded by water from three sides, open and clear. Especially, when the bright moon hangs high above the autumn nights, the surface of the lake appears to be tranquil and calm like a mirror with its brilliance emitting far and near.

"Pavilion for viewing the Lake" was built in the Tang dynasty in the Tranquil Lake and Autumnal Moon Park. Its total area is 1600 square meters with such buildings as Quadrangular Hall, Octagon Pavilion, Lake and Sky Viewing Tower, etc.

They are arranged in picturesque disorder. Under the bright colored and beautiful moonlight, viewing and enjoying the facade of the mountain and the ripples of water's surface, the postures of different flowers and the graceful gesture of gesture of such plants as the willow is simply a must. It is really an attractive place.

Fei Lai Feng

The Fei Lai Feng is situated to the east of Ling Yin Si. Isolated from others, its stone quality is totally different from that of surrounding mountain groups. It is 167 meters high, on the peak of which there are many grotesque stones in the shapes of charming dragon, prostrate tiger, walking elephant and scared ape. The colour of the stones is also queer, green touched with purple, shining and slippery to the full tastes of visitors.
The biggest Budha image of the Fei Lai Feng is Maitrey with cloth bag on shoulder, otherwise known for Budaha of joy. With exposed breast and belly, it sits on cliff along the brook, laughing from Northern Sung (960-1127) up to now. Besides, there is image of King Da Li Ming with three heads, eight arms, and stripping to the waist, colorful crown on head and pearl and jade necklace on neck, a superb one in the statues of the Yuan Dynasty.

Ling Yin Si

The Ling Yin Si is the most ancient monastery in Hangzhou. It is situated to the west of the West Lake and in between the Northern Peak and the Fei Lai Feng (Peak that Flew Over). It was built in the first year of Emperor Xian He of the Eastern Jin Dynasty (326 AD) which is otherwise known as Yun Ling Monastery. In the final period of Five Dynasties, rooms of monks alone were of 1300 odd and it was claimed to have 9 buildings, 18 pavilions and 72 halls, a scale you just imagine. Today, buildings inside the monastery are Hall of Heavenly King, The Precious Hall of the Great Hero, the Chain Lamp pavilion and the Great Mercy Hall etc. The Precious Hall of the Great Hero is the main hall of the Ling Yin Sze which is 7 rooms wide and 5 rooms deep, with one storey, three layer eaves and pinnacle roof 33.6 meters in height. On the both sides of Danchi (vermilion steps leading up to a palace) of the hall, there stand stone pagodas with 9 storeys and 8 surfaces and sculptured Budhist stories on four walls. In the right middle of the hall there is the statue of the founder of Budhism, Sakyamuni sculptured out of fragrant camphor wood. The total height of the image, stone platform, pedestal and lotus throne is 19.5 meters. On the both sides of Sakyamuni stand 20 saints protecting justice and on the back wall sit his 12 disciples, Juan JueProphet). Besides, there is a sculpture of Budhist mountain out of the story of Budhist sutra aying 53 respects on which there are 150 odd big and small. Budha images in different postures, showing the difficult process and bright future in learning Budhism.

The One Thousand Island Lake

The One-Thousand-Island Lake, otherwise known as Qingxi Lake, was a large-scale lake created after the construction of Xinanjing Reservoir in 1959, which is located between Chunan and Jiande counties of Zejing Province on the upper reach of Xinanjing. There are numerous isles on the lake.