Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang Province 180 kilometers southwest of Shanghai, is the center of politics, economy, culture, and communications of the province.

First built as a county during the Qin Dynasty some 2,100 years ago, Hangzhou became prosperous after the building of the Grand Canal in the Sui Dynasty (581-618). The city was the capital of Wuyue State (893-978) during the Five Dynasties Period and of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279). It is one of the six famous ancient capitals of China. (The other five are Beijing, Nanjing, Xi'an, Luoyang, and Kaifeng.)

Hangzhou has been called a "paradise on earth," with its picturesque West Lake and its many other world-famous sites. It is also noted for its silk industry, which has existed since the seventh century and still flourishes today.

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West Lake

This lake, lying to the west of Hangzhou, is the most beautiful of the thirty or more lakes in China which bear the same name. Once a small bay at the mouth of the Qiantang River, it was separated from the sea by river sediment to became a lake. The lake with its islands covers approximately six square kilometers. The charming Solitary Hill Islets (Gushan) rises above the water in the north part of the lake, which is bordered by hills on three sides. The Su Causeway runs roughly north and south and the Bai Causeway east and west. The lake has several segments called the Inner Lake, the Outer Lake, Yue Lake, West Inner Lake, and Small South Lake. There are three islands in the Outer Lake: Three Pools Mirroring the Moon (Santan Yunyue), Mid-Lake Pavilion (Huxinting), and Lord Ruan's Mound (Ruangongdun).

Dozen's of historical sites are scattered about some fifty-square-kilometer scenic area around the lake. The wooded hills encircling the lake are studded with pavilions, towers, pagodas, and caves. Springs, steams, and pools are scattered among peaks, rocks, caves, and gullies. The "ten scenic beauties" of West Lake are generally thought to be as follows: Spring Dawn at the Su Causeway (Suti Chunxiao), Viewing Fish at Flower Harbor (Huagang Guanyu), Autumn Moon on Calm Lake (Pingnhu Qiuyue), Listening to Orioles Singing in the Willows (Liulang Wenying), Twin Peaks Piercing the Clouds (Shuangfeng Zhayun), Three Pools Mirroring the Moon (Santan Yunyue), Evening Sunlight at Thunder Peak Pagoda (Leifeng Xizhao), Late Bell at Nanping Hill (Nanping Wanzhong), Lotus in the Breeze at Crooked Courtyard (Quyuan Fenghe), and Melting Snow at Broken Bridge (Duanqiao Canxue).

Temple of the Soul's Retreat (Lingyinsi)

Facing Cool Spring (Lengquan), Temple of the Soul's Retreat, often referred to as Lingyin Temple, stands at the foot of Lingyin Hill northwest of West Lake. Built more than 1,600 years ago, it is one of the most famous Buddhist temples in China; its major buildings are Hall of the Four Heavenly Kings (Tianwangdian) and the Grand Hall. In the center of the Grand Hall which is 33.6 meters high and roofed with glazed tiles, is a gilded nine-meter-high statue of Sakyamuni sitting on terrace shaped like a lotus flower. In front of him stands a statue of Maitreya and behind him a statue of Skanda. Buddha's four warrior attendants and other gods and goddesses line the two sides of Sakyamuni. Ancient trees thrive in front of the temple, and a number of pavilions (such as Spring Stream, Gully Thunder and Cold Spring) are built around the Cool Spring.

Peak That Flew from Afar (Feilaifeng)

Also named Nimble Vulture (Lingjiu) Peak, Peak That Flew from Afar, some 200 meters above sea level, towers just opposite Lingyin Temple. One local story has it that the Peak That Flew from Afar came from India: the high ridges and peaks in the area reminded the Indian monk Huili who had just arrived at the place so such of a hill in India that he argued it must have flown in from there. His suggestion was proved when a black ape and a white ape who meditated at the Indian hill were found in a cave here. Its peculiar name may also come from its being different from the hills around it. Covered with bizarre rocks and caves, it is both smaller than the surrounding hills and has a different geological structure. All the hills around it are formed with sandstones, while the Peak That Flew from Afar is composed of limestone.

Tidal Bore of Qiantang River

The tidal bore of the Qiantang River, occurring during the 1st –5th and 15th –19th days of the 1st lunar month, is a natural spectacle that has driven awe into many a heart in this world. The tides--surging as high as 9 meters, are evocative of a million mountains collapsing or a million horses jostling their way down the river. On the 16th day of the 8th lunar month, Yanguan Town in Haining, Hanzhou, is the venue of the annual international Qiantang River Tidal Bore Watching Festival.

Qian Dao Hu (Thousand Islets Lake)

Like a shining pearl inlaid in this golden tour line "Hangzhou-Qian Dao Hu (Thousand Islets Lake)-Huang Shan (Yellow Mountain)," Qian Dao Hu (Thousand Islets Lake), situated in Chun'an county 160 km (100 miles) west of Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, is one of forty-four state-level scenic spots and presently China's biggest national park. Every year, millions of visitors both home and abroad will come here to appreciate the unique scenery. With further development in transportation, Qian Dao Hu is about to become one of the best tourist attractions in the world.

Six Harmonies Pagoda (Liuhe Pagoda)

The Six Harmonies (Liuhe) Pagoda lies in Yuelun Hill on the north bank of the Qiantang River in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. The name "six harmonies" comes from the six Buddhist ordinances, meaning "harmonies of the heaven, earth, north, south, east, and west". The pagoda was first built in 970 AD by the King of Wuyue State, who intended to demonstrate his authority by conquering the evil of the river tidal bore of the Qiantang River. The pagoda fell into ruins and went through reconstruction many times before being listed as one of the key national cultural heritages in 1961.

Hupao Spring (Tiger Running Spring)

Hupao Spring is ranked the third in China, according to scientific research on the quality of the water of the spring, followed by Leng Spring in Zhejiang and Hui Spring in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province. The pleasures to be gained from Hupao Spring are listening to the spring, viewing the spring, tasting the spring, feeling the spring, even dreaming that the spring enables every thought about the spring to come to mind.

Mausoleum of General Yue Fei

The Mausoleum of General Yue Fei is located at the southern foot of Qixia hill, on West Lake bank. It was listed as one of the state-level cultural relic protection sites in 1961.

Grand Canal

The Grand Canal, 1,764 km (about 1200 miles) in length, is the longest man-made waterway as well as being the greatest in ancient China, far surpassing the next two grand canals of the world: the Suez and Panama Canals. Running from Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province in the south to Beijing in the north of China and connecting different river systems, the Grand Canal contributed greatly to ensure that the Chinese primary economy thrived in past dynasties. Now more than 2000 years old, some parts of the canal are still in use, mainly functioning as a water-diversion conduit.

China's National Silk Museum

China's National Silk Museum is the first state-level museum dedicated to silk culture and the biggest silk museum in the world. Chinese former chairman Jiang Zemin made an epigraphy "Opening up a New Silk Road, Promoting Chinese Silk Culture" for celebrating the opening of the museum in spring 1992.

National Tea Museum

National Tea Museum is situated in the Longjing (Dragon Well) Tea plantation near West Lake in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. The building complex in "Jiang Nan water-town" is a perfect example of ancient Chinese civilian architecture. The museum was first built in 1987 and opened to public in April 1991, occupying a total construction area of 3500 square meters (less than one acre).