Hangzhou
July 13th, 2007 by Neel BhutaAn inspiration to poets, and a hideout for the rich, Hangzhou is China’s natural gem. From staying in a palatial villa to biking around the gorgeous West Lake, I had a lot of fun in the city. It’s not really the best place for young people to hang out (its serenity is more attractive to an older crowd), but for a limited amount of time, it’s a great escape.
I was actually supposed to be in Shanghai the whole week, exploring the city with about 15 kids I go to school with. But someone told us about Hangzhou’s scenic beauty, and we felt that we had to go. The bus ride there was only about two or three hours, and the trip is actually pretty amazing. There’s a lot of foreign tourism to Shanghai, but the city can overwhelm you with the amount of people, activity, and pollution. On the way to Hangzhou, you pass this phenomenal agricultural landscape while keeping the water to one side the whole time.
While we were there, we stayed in this villa complex that was simply incredible. It is apparently the same complex that President Nixon and his staff stayed at during their famous trip to China in 1972 (his particular villa goes for $70,000/night). The food in Hangzhou is supposed to be fantastic, but I do have one word of warning. If you are a big fan on Chinese food here in the US, you might not like real Chinese food as much because it is surprisingly different.
No matter how long you decide to stay in Hangzhou, there is one thing you absolutely must do: bike around the West Lake. We rode out from the hotel to the West Lake on bikes, and it was surprisingly easy because the terrain in the city is so flat, and our bike salesman acted as an unofficial tour guide. But the best part was when we actually saw the lake itself.
We ended up driving back to Shanghai soon after we got back from the trip to the West Lake. If you are in the Shanghai area, and you want to see one of the most beautiful cities in China, make the trip out there. It will be worth your while.
Posted: July 13th, 2007 under Asia, General, Travel Tips.
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