Hangzhou is one of China’s seven ancient capitals, founded more than 2,000 years ago during the Qin Dynasty. In the first centuries, the city was a small settlement, but after the construction of the city walls in 591, development took off. The city was very prosperous during the subsequent Tang Dynasty from the 7th to the 10th centuries, not least due to its fortifications and strategic location at the southern end of the Grand Canal.
Hangzhou’s population exploded to almost half a million in the 12th century, making it one of the largest cities in the world. Marco Polo visited Hangzhou in the 13th century, and he described it as undoubtedly the most beautiful in the world. Large parts of the city’s historical buildings were destroyed in the 19th century, but the sights are still so fine that the city is one of the most visited in China.
Various structures were built over time, including the dam at the famous West Lake, which is today one of the city’s major tourist attractions. Many Chinese cities have a West Lake, but the one in Hangzhou is the “real” and most famous. It was also the one that inspired the construction of Kunming Lake at the imperial summer palace in Beijing.
The West Lake is quite large, and it is divided by two larger dams, named after the poets Su Dongpo and Bai Juyi, who worked as mandarins in Hangzhou. The dams are Su Di (Sū Dī/苏堤) and Bai Di (Bái Dī/白堤). The lake is 3.2 kilometers from north to south and 2.8 kilometers from east to west. It extends from the city itself to forested hills, which are often covered in an atmospheric haze.
West Lake or Xihu is one of the most iconic attractions in Hangzhou. It is a place known for its natural beauty and for its cultural significance. The lake has been a source of inspiration for poets and artists for centuries and has a special significance in China. West Lake was also included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2011 due to its influence on garden art.
Historically, West Lake has been an important place since the Tang Dynasty, which ruled from 618 to 907. The area around the lake is filled with temples, pagodas, gardens and artificial islands, all of which contribute to its overall beauty. The lake is divided into five sections with dams and narrow walkways between the individual sections. The bridges and paths in the area provide great opportunities to explore different parts of the area, and magnificent experiences await.
Architecturally, West Lake is known for its traditional Chinese gardens, which combine natural elements such as water, stone and plants with man-made structures such as pavilions and bridges. This creates a harmonious balance between nature and architecture, which is characteristic of Chinese garden art.
West Lake has a surface area of approximately 6.4 square kilometers and extends 3.2 kilometers from north to south and 2.8 kilometers from east to west. The lake is surrounded by gentle hills on the north, west and south sides. You can enjoy the beautiful surroundings and architectural highlights such as the Leifeng/雷峰塔 and Baochu/保俶塔 pagodas on the south and north banks, respectively. There are several famous temples such as Lingyin/灵隐寺 and Jingci/净慈寺 in the mountains west of the lake.
Leifeng Pagoda is a beautiful ancient pagoda located on the shores of West Lake in Hangzhou. Originally built in 975 during the Wuyue Dynasty, the pagoda is known for its beautiful architecture and location. The pagoda collapsed in 1924, but was rebuilt in 2002 and is now a popular tourist attraction. Leifeng Pagoda is also known for its beautiful views of the famous West Lake and the surrounding mountains.
Architecturally, the pagoda is an excellent example of traditional Chinese pagoda architecture. Leifeng Pagoda is five stories high and has an octagonal shape, which is typical of Chinese pagodas. The interior of the pagoda is decorated with beautiful murals and carvings depicting Buddhist stories and legends.
Baochu Pagoda is a pagoda in Hangzhou, where it stands as one of the landmarks on the northern shore of West Lake. The pagoda’s small base supports seven stories with a slender and elegant appearance. The pagoda was originally built in 963 with a height of nine stories.
It was reconstructed in 1933 in its current and slightly lower version. At the same time, it had its lantern on top replaced, and the former is on display near the pagoda. The pagoda was built of brick and stone and does not contain an internal staircase, as seen in other and larger pagodas. The building can be walked to on the path along the north shore of the West Lake. It is a nice walk in itself.
The name Baochu refers to protecting Chu, which according to legend was Qian Chu, the last king of Wuyue. The story goes that one of Qian Chu’s priests had the temple built to pray for his safe return from a journey he had taken to Kaifeng, which was part of the Northern Song Dynasty territory in central China.
Lingyin Temple, whose name refers to the Temple of the Refuge of the Soul, is one of the largest and most important Buddhist temples in China. It was founded in 328 during the Eastern Jin Dynasty and has a long history of religious and cultural significance. The temple is surrounded by lush forests and mountains, giving it a peaceful and spiritual atmosphere.
Lingyin Temple is known for its impressive architecture and the many Buddhist statues found in its halls. The most notable is the large statue of Siddhartha Gautama, which is over 24 meters tall and made of wood covered with gold. The temple is also interesting for its many rock carvings, which date back to the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. These carvings, which include over 300 Buddhist figures, are scattered across Feilai Feng Mountain.
Jingci Temple is the second most important Buddhist temple around West Lake in Hangzhou. The temple’s main hall houses a statue of Sakyamuni Buddha and is surrounded by beautiful gardens and pavilions. The temple was built in 954 by King Qian Chu of the Wuyue Kingdom for the famous monk Yongming Yanshou.
The temple was originally called Huiri Yongming Temple/慧日永明院, but was renamed to its current name during the Southern Song Dynasty, when the complex was also expanded. However, Jingci Temple has also been destroyed and rebuilt several times since then, and the current temple building dates from the 1980s.
Liuhe Pagoda, also known as the Six Harmonies Pagoda, is a large pagoda on the banks of the Qiantang River. The pagoda was originally built in 970 during the Wuyue Dynasty, but was destroyed in 1121 and then rebuilt in 1165 during the Southern Song Dynasty.
Historically, the Liuhe Pagoda was an important religious and cultural monument in Hangzhou, the capital of the Wuyue Dynasty. According to tradition, the pagoda was supposed to act as a kind of lighthouse to aid navigation on the river and also to calm the tidal wave in the same river. The pagoda has also become a popular tourist attraction with a beautiful view of the Qiantang River and the surrounding mountains.
Architecturally, the Six Harmonies Pagoda is an excellent example of traditional Chinese pagoda architecture. The pagoda is approximately 60 meters high and seven stories high, and has an octagonal shape, which is typical of Chinese pagodas. The inside of the pagoda is decorated with beautiful murals and carvings depicting Buddhist stories and legends. The seven stories inside are a bit deceptive in the exterior design, where the pagoda appears to be thirteen stories high.
Xixi National Wetland Park is a large wetland located in the western part of Hangzhou. Covering an area of about 11.5 square kilometers, the park is known for its rich biodiversity and beautiful landscapes. Historically, the area has been home to many rare and endangered species of plants and animals, and it serves as a popular breathing space in Hangzhou.
Xixi Park is divided into six main areas, each with its own unique features and places of interest. Architecturally, Xixi National Wetland Park is known for its traditional Chinese buildings and bridges, which are scattered throughout the park. These buildings were originally designed to harmonize with the natural landscape, allowing visitors to experience both nature and culture at the same time.
Hangzhou Botanical Garden is a large oasis in the form of a botanical garden located close to the central part of Hangzhou. Covering an area of about 230 hectares, the garden is home to over 4,000 species of plants. Founded in 1956, the garden has been an important center for plant research and conservation ever since.
The botanical garden is divided into several sections, each dedicated to different types of plants and ecosystems. Architecturally, the garden is known for its beautiful landscape designs and traditional Chinese pavilions and bridges. These structures were designed to complement the natural surroundings and create a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere.
Qinghefang Ancient Street is a historic street located in the center of Hangzhou. The street is known for its well-preserved traditional buildings and its wonderful atmosphere. Historically, the street was an important commercial area and cultural center in Hangzhou since the Song Dynasty.
Today, the street is filled with shops, restaurants, and theaters offering a wide variety of traditional Chinese goods and experiences. It is also home to several historical monuments and museums that give visitors an insight into Hangzhou’s rich history and culture.
The National Tea Museum of China is a museum dedicated to Chinese tea and tea culture. The museum is also known for its extensive collection of tea-related artifacts and exhibits, and visitors are given a solid and interesting introduction to the themes. You can also enjoy the setting, because architecturally, the museum is known for its beautiful traditional buildings and gardens, which were designed to complement the natural surroundings.
Historically, the National Tea Museum of China was founded in 1991 and has since been an important center for research and dissemination of tea culture. The museum is divided into several sections, where you can follow different aspects of tea production and culture. The museum also offers tea ceremonies and tastings, allowing visitors to experience Chinese tea culture firsthand.
Suzhou is a city in Jiangsu Province, China. It is a city with a long history, which began with the founding of Suzhou in 514 BC by General Wu Zixu on the orders of King He Lu of the Wu State. Suzhou quickly became an important center of trade and culture in the Yangtze River Delta. During the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD), the city became a vital economic center thanks to the construction of the Grand Canal, which connected Suzhou to other major cities in China.
During the Song Dynasty, which ruled from 960–1279, Suzhou experienced a period of prosperity, when the city became known for its agricultural production, crafts, and trade. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, which ruled China from 1368 to 1911, Suzhou continued to develop as a cultural and economic center. The city became famous for its silk factories and for its classical Chinese gardens, which attracted scholars and artists from all over the country.
Shanghai has great historical appeal and is a lively and interesting Chinese metropolis. Shanghai is one of China’s financial locomotives, and it has so many sights and modern landmarks, which is a showcase for the entire world of Chinese progress and prosperity in the global economy.
Enjoy the view of all the high-rise buildings and exciting works of modern architects, not least along the city’s port, where the district of Pudong rises impressively towards the old center. Skyscrapers stand beautifully next to each other, and from several of them you can enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of Shanghai.
Ningbo is an ancient city in Zhejiang Province, China. It was originally founded during the Hemudu culture around 4800 BC, but its importance as a slightly larger city did not begin until about 2,000 years ago. During the Tang Dynasty, Ningbo was known as Mingzhou, and it became an important port for the region’s foreign trade. During the Song Dynasty, Arab merchants settled in Ningbo, which became a truly international trading city. During the Ming Dynasty, Ningbo became known in Europe as Liampó, and Portuguese traders established a significant presence in the area.
During the 19th and 20th centuries, Ningbo underwent significant changes and developments. In 1843, the city was opened to foreign trade as a treaty port after the Opium Wars. This led to a period of economic growth and increased international trade, although the city was later overshadowed by Shanghai, which became the primary trading city in the region. During the Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China, Ningbo continued to be an important trading center.
West Lake, Hangzhou, China[/caption]
Overview of Hangzhou
Hangzhou is one of China’s seven ancient capitals, founded more than 2,000 years ago during the Qin Dynasty. In the first centuries, the city was a small settlement, but after the construction of the city walls in 591, development took off. The city was very prosperous during the subsequent Tang Dynasty from the 7th to the 10th centuries, not least due to its fortifications and strategic location at the southern end of the Grand Canal.
About the Whitehorse travel guide
Contents: Tours in the city + tours in the surrounding area
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Author: Stig Albeck
Publisher: Vamados.com
Language: English
About the travel guide
The Whitehorse travel guide gives you an overview of the sights and activities of the Canadian city. Read about top sights and other sights, and get a tour guide with tour suggestions and detailed descriptions of all the city’s most important churches, monuments, mansions, museums, etc.
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Xixi National Wetland Park is a large wetland located in the western part of Hangzhou. Covering an area of about 11.5 square kilometers, the park is known for its rich biodiversity and beautiful landscapes. Historically, the area has been home to many rare and endangered species of plants and animals, and it serves as a popular breathing space in Hangzhou.
Xixi Park is divided into six main areas, each with its own unique features and places of interest. Architecturally, Xixi National Wetland Park is known for its traditional Chinese buildings and bridges, which are scattered throughout the park. These buildings were originally designed to harmonize with the natural landscape, allowing visitors to experience both nature and culture at the same time.
Hangzhou Botanical Garden is a large oasis in the form of a botanical garden located close to the central part of Hangzhou. Covering an area of about 230 hectares, the garden is home to over 4,000 species of plants. Founded in 1956, the garden has been an important center for plant research and conservation ever since.
The botanical garden is divided into several sections, each dedicated to different types of plants and ecosystems. Architecturally, the garden is known for its beautiful landscape designs and traditional Chinese pavilions and bridges. These structures were designed to complement the natural surroundings and create a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere.
Qinghefang Ancient Street is a historic street located in the center of Hangzhou. The street is known for its well-preserved traditional buildings and its wonderful atmosphere. Historically, the street was an important commercial area and cultural center in Hangzhou since the Song Dynasty.
Today, the street is filled with shops, restaurants, and theaters offering a wide variety of traditional Chinese goods and experiences. It is also home to several historical monuments and museums that give visitors an insight into Hangzhou’s rich history and culture.
The National Tea Museum of China is a museum dedicated to Chinese tea and tea culture. The museum is also known for its extensive collection of tea-related artifacts and exhibits, and visitors are given a solid and interesting introduction to the themes. You can also enjoy the setting, because architecturally, the museum is known for its beautiful traditional buildings and gardens, which were designed to complement the natural surroundings.
Historically, the National Tea Museum of China was founded in 1991 and has since been an important center for research and dissemination of tea culture. The museum is divided into several sections, where you can follow different aspects of tea production and culture. The museum also offers tea ceremonies and tastings, allowing visitors to experience Chinese tea culture firsthand.
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