The Top Things to Do in Hangzhou
In fact, in addition to taking in the city's famous attractions, there are many interesting things to do when taking a trip to Hangzhou. In this article, we tell you some things to do in Hangzhou.
Without a doubt, West Lake is the iconic tourist spot of Hangzhou. Near the lake there are many gardens, pagodas, temples and trails. If you want to relax in the city, it is worth walking along the shore of West Lake or taking a boat ride. At night you cannot miss a very splendid show called the West Lake Show. It is a light, music, dance and theater show that tells stories based on Hangzhou legends. Everything is very well assembled! Using the lake and its surroundings as props, lights and hundreds of actors create a sensational performance.
It is advisable to taste Longjing tea when traveling to Hangzhou. Hangzhou is known for having the famous Longjing tea, one of the top 10 types of tea in China. Near the West Lake is a Meijiawu village, which enjoys a good reputation for the abundant Longjing tea cultures. Being one of the producing areas of this famous tea, this small village is surrounded by green mountains and tea terraces. If you travel in spring you have the opportunity to see the process of harvesting and preparing the tea. We think that going there and enjoying this peaceful atmosphere is one of the best things to do in Hangzhou.
Of course, if you want, you can climb the Leifeng Pagoda in order to enjoy the views of Hangzhou. One of the most spectacular in Hangzhou, Leifeng Pagoda is located at the top of Sunset Hill and offers fantastic views of West Lake and the city. It has five floors and we recommend going up to the last one to appreciate the best panoramic view of Hangzhou. The original construction of the pagoda dates back to the 10th century, although the current one is a reconstruction from 2002.
Visiting Lingyin Temple is a good option too. Lingyin Temple is one of the largest and most famous Buddhist temples in China. It has almost 2000 years of history and houses a large collection of Buddhist relics. For various reasons, it was rebuilt up to sixteen times in its history. Appreciating the details of the constructions will be a wonderful experience. In the surroundings of the Lingyin Temple you can visit the famous grottoes. Inside there are up to 470 Buddha statues carved in stone. How spectacular! They date back to 951 BC and the most famous is that of the Laughing Buddha.
In Hangzhou, don't miss visiting the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, which is a great waterworks in ancient China. It is the longest artificial canal in the world with 1,794 kilometers in length. In its day it was key to the development of the local economy and to improving communications between the north and the south. Stroll along the canal, and imagine what life was like in those times.
