Hangzhou is the capital city of Zhejiang Province in Southeast China. It is well-known in China and abroad due to its natural beauty and mild climate. The city is home to numerous scenic spots, including the West Lake and Lingyin Temple. If you are planning for your China travel, Hangzhou will be a good choice.
Location
Hangzhou is located in the southeastern part of China. It is constructed in the Yangtze River Delta. Its unique position on the Hangzhou Bay makes it the best place to appreciate the beauty of the Qian Tang River spring tide. As a member of the Yangtze River Delta city group, its convenient transportation to and from Shanghai offers a lot of opportunities for further economic development.
History
Hangzhou used to be among the most renowned and prosperous cities in China during several dynasties in history. As the capital city of the Wuyue Kingdom during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, Buddhism culture was extremely popular in Hangzhou. Numerous pagodas, temples and grottos are built as a result. It was called Lin'an in Southern Song dynasty after they were defeated by Jin Dynasty and retreated to South China. The city remained to be an important port till the middle of the Ming Dynasty when its harbor was no longer suitable for sailing. Consequently, Hangzhou is regarded as one of the Seven Ancient Capitals of China.
The West Lake
The West Lake is the most well-known scenic place in Hangzhou. The lake is surrounded by small hills on the northern and western sides, presenting splendid mountainous scenery. The lifestories of numerous celebrated poets, philosophers and politicians are associated with the West Lake, including Bai Juyi, Su shi, Lu You, and Xin Qiji. They lived and died there, leaving beautiful poems and essays describing the natural beauty of West Lake. In the Tang Dynasty Bai Juyi used to be appointed as the governor of Hangzhou. As an accomplished and famous poet, Bai Juyi visited the West Lake regularly in his leisure time. He even presided over the construction of a causeway connecting Broken Bridge with Solitary Hill, which was later known as "Bai Causeway". Similarly, "Su Causeway" was in memory of another distinguished poet Su Shi in Song Dynasty. Emperor Qianlong in Qing Dynasty once claimed that "Su Causeway" was the most beautiful in the early morning of the spring time.
Lingyin Temple
Lingyin Temple is located in the northwest of Hangzhou. It is a Buddhist temple of the Chan sect. In Chinese, its name "Lingyin" refers to the soul's retreat, which is typical of Buddhism values. The temple is constructed in a mountainous area. One of the most famous peaks is the Feilai Feng, which literally means the flying peaks. Its name vividly describes its unique shape. Nowadays, Lingyin Temple and the surrounding areas are regarded as the Lingyin-Feilai Feng Scenic Area with numerous Buddhism pagodas, pavilions and grottoes. The temple exists as a destination for both pilgrims and tourists.
