Hangzhou is quite possibly China's most beautiful city. It's famous for its breathtakingly beautiful West Lake, which sits serenely beneath mist-shrouded mountains, away from the urban jungle of downtown Hangzhou. The ancient Chinese temples, pagodas, causeways, and arched stone bridges are framed by a canopy of willows, especially in the spring, when blossom covers the embankments in delicate pastel shades. Hiring a bike, taking a romantic gondola-style boat ride, or boarding the impressive dragon-shaped tour boat for excursions across the lake are the most enjoyable ways to see the lake. West Lake is an utterly inspiring venue constantly visited by large crowds while maintaining a subdued stillness. The Leifeng Pagoda is the temple perched on the lake's highest point, with a panoramic view of the entire body of water. Although very little of the original pagoda remains (displayed in an underfloor glass enclosure), there is an intricate display of wooden carvings and incredible skyline views from the top. The city is excellent for shopping, with numerous late-night shopping centres and adjacent restaurants, bars, and coffee shops. Visit Tiyuchang Road, also known as the Hangzhou China Silk Road, and stroll down the peaceful, leafy boulevard adorned with paper lanterns and a mirage of silk in every shape, pattern, size, and colour imaginable. The exquisite 100 per cent pure silk is simply sublime, and you will not find silk of this quality at these prices anywhere in the western world. Capital: Zhejiang province International Airport: Hangzhou International Airport (HGH) Population: 7,846,000 Currency: Renminbi yuan Time: Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China (GMT+8) Driving side: Right Main Electricity: 110V-220V Official Language: the Wu and Hui dialects Religion: Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism, Christianity and Islam.
Despite its rapid modernisation, Hangzhou has retained much of its charm, natural beauty, and tradition. It's an elegant and charming city with spiritual solid, artistic, and commercial traditions that continue today. It's often regarded as the most beautiful of the major Chinese cities. Travel to Hangzhou, the birthplace of some of the world's most exquisite silk and hand-painted fans. A trip to Hangzhou is ideal for finding a bargain or appreciating artworks by some of the country's most prominent artists. The city centred on the iconic West Lake and within easy reach of mountain retreats is very much in touch with its natural heritage. When you book an Hangzhou holiday package with Qatar Airways Holidays, you can explore this authentic and atmospheric city at your own pace. Take a holiday to West Lake and discover why it has inspired poets, artists, and scholars for generations and is now one of China's most popular tourist destinations. Take a holiday to West Lake and discover why it has inspired poets, artists, and scholars for generations and is now one of China's most popular tourist destinations. Explore the modern city's buzzing streets and immerse yourself in a vibrant music scene, delicious local cuisine, and the city's many shopping opportunities. Get away from it all, visit the nearby Longjing tea fields or the UNESCO-listed Tianmu Mountain Scenic Area to discover the region's incredible biodiversity. Take part in some adventure activities at Thousand Island Lake, which offers water skiing, speed boating, climbing, mountain biking, and trekking.
