Hangzhou West Lake by day, Skyline by night
After Suzhou, the next city I visited was Hangzhou.
From the peacefulness of the West Lake to viewing the dancing lights of the city’s skyline, Hangzhou invited me to slow down and be in the present moment.
Here are a spots I visited in Hangzhou during this short trip.
West Lake (西湖)
When people think of Hangzhou, West Lake comes to mind.
It’s a central element of Hangzhou’s identity, and the inspiration for Chinese poets and artists, and source of many Chinese legends.
Spanning a surface area of 6.5 square kilometres (2.5 square miles), West Lake is huge its almost endless borders are embraced by surrounding mountains.
You can stroll or cycle around the lake, and even take a boat ride to enjoy its beauty.
The slightly overcast, foggy skies adds to the lake’s mystical allure.
Due to the weather, we didn’t cycle around this time and we strolled around the lake instead.
Qing He Fang 清河坊
There are a few ancient streets in Hangzhou, and one of it is Hefang Street or also known as Qing He Fang.
Compared to other ancient food streets I’ve visited in China, it’s not particularly big, but it’s packed with food stalls and souvenir shops – just nice for a short afternoon stroll.
Food
Stumbled across a restaurant near Qing He Fang.
We ordered the Sauerkraut fish and stir fry pepper prawns, and yoghurt for dessert. They were all very flavourful.
Restaurant along West Lake
Hangzhou is famous for (东坡肉), which is a traditional dish of braised pork belly often served in a sweet sauce. The one we had in this restaurant is not too fatty – a great balance between the meat and fat ratio.
Night cruise light show
In terms of activities to do in the evening, the night show in Hangzhou is great way to admire the beauty of the city at a distance.
The entire cruise ride was about 1-1.5 hours, and it’s best to take the ride before sunset, so that you can enjoy two views – before the sunset and when the sky turns completely dark.
Enjoying the cool breeze while sailing on a cruise, and watching the light shine on the skyscrapers, it’s a great way to create memories of the city.
Tip: Choose the outdoor highest deck on the cruise, to get the full experience of the night show. You can also choose to dine in and have a full meal on the cruise itself.
Next city…
Hangzhou is also famous for Longjing tea. I tried a cup in a hotel lobby, and was surprised by its grassy taste, not sure if it’s perhaps due to the different variations of the tea. Next time, I’d love to visit the Longjing tea farms near West Lake to experience it at the source.
China has many ancient water towns, and two of the most accessible ones are just outside Hangzhou.
In my next post, I’ll share which one you should choose for a more authentic experience.
Until next time, Hangzhou!
