5 Things you Didn’t Know about Hangzhou – A few things to help you explore better

Hangzhou city today is full of busy streets that are abuzz with the sound of whizzing vehicles on smooth roads. The pavements are shadowed by high-rise buildings and it is pretty much the atmosphere of a modern urban hub. But Hangzhou is still acknowledged by the government as one of the seven historic cities of China. Hangzhou city was said to have been established over 2200 years ago. The city began to prosper once the Grand Canal was built connecting Beijing. It was once the capital city of the Wuyue Kingdom and later became the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty as well.

Said to be one of the most beautiful sites in China, West Lake was classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011. Surrounding the place is a combination of temples, gardens, pagodas, ornamental trees, artificial islands and causeways. The Grand Canal is more than 2000 km in length and is the largest man-made river in the world. This was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2014. There are several apartments in Hangzhou located in close proximity to the attractions providing easy access.

Hangzhou used to be a base for the finest tea in China and it still is. Longjing Tea is the number one tea in China and is produced here. The city was once known as the Capital of Tea in China as the tea culture here was quite strong with the demand for production of tea. You can learn the art of preparing tea the Chinese way and even walk around the plantation. The city was also famous for silk and was also known as the city of silk. Silk from Hangzhou is of the best quality and feels soft and luxurious. Markets here sell various trinkets and clothing made of silk which will serve as great souvenirs.

Water towns in China are some of the most magical places to visit and in Hangzhou too you will be able to explore 2 such towns. Nanxun water town is one of the most beautiful places to visit and you will feel as though you've gone back in time to see China in the past. Nanxun is peaceful and quiet, unlike Wuzhen which is a little more commercial and crowded. The buildings have been restored and the town operates as a small commercial hub.

The best time to visit Hangzhou is during spring or fall when the weather is. just nice and rainfall is less. The outdoor attractions such as tea plantations and water towns are at their best during this period. You might want to avoid going out during weekends and public holidays to avoid crowds. It would be wise to make your booking at hotels like Somerset IOC Hangzhou well in advance to enjoy discounts and avoid disappointment.