Hangzhou

Hangzhou is in Zhejiang Province, China. It is one of the most important tourist cities in China, famous for its natural beauty and historical and cultural heritages. It is the political, economic and cultural center of Zhejiang province as well. A core city of the Yangtze River Delta, Hangzhou has a position on the Hangzhou Bay 180 kilometres (110 mi) southwest of Shanghai that gives it economic power. It has been one of the most renowned and prosperous cities of China for much of the last 1,000 years, due in part to its beautiful natural scenery. The city's West Lake is its best-known attraction.

Famed for its natural scenery, Hangzhou and its West Lake have been immortalized by countless poets and artists. The city was the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty from 1127 until the Mongol invasion of 1276. The city's population is estimated to have been as high as one million in those days, making it the largest city in the world at the time. Even Marco Polo claimed to have passed through, calling it beyond dispute the finest and the noblest in the world. Since June 2011, the West Lake Cultural Landscape has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. With the gradual silting up of its harbor, much of the city's trade and industry passed north to nearby Shanghai, but the city still has a bustling population of 8.7 million and ranks as one of China's most popular tourist attractions.

The capital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou is famous for its natural beauty, history, and Dragon Well Tea. It is a fantastic addition to any China Tour and one that will never be forgotten. It’s beautiful past, and colorful present beautifully combine to make this one of China’s most famous destinations.The most famous site in Hangzhou is the West Lake. It is the dream of every Chinese to visit this beautiful Lake. Surrounded by history, and beautiful natural scenery, what makes this lake so special are the many legends which surrounds it. China’s most famous legends are based around this lake and cruising around the lake while seeing the sites and hearing the legends is a fantastic part of any trip to China. Hangzhou also has several pagodas, many museums, and of course, the famous Dragon Well Tea.

Known throughout the World, Dragon Well Tea is the most famous Green Tea in China and abroad. The tea has many healthbenefits and is a fantastic way to experience China’s ancient history first hand. Hangzhou Cruisine is famous throughout China for its elaborate preparation and sophisticated cooking techniques. No visit to Hangzhou is complete without sampling a variety of its many famous dishes including: Beggar’s Chicken, West Lake Fish in Sweet and Sour Sauce, Dongpo Braised Pork, and Fried Shrimp cooked with Dragon Well Tea.