Hangzhou is a very important venue on China tours. It is the capital of Zhejiang Province and is the site of much natural beauty as well as cultural significance. Hangzhou offers a climate that is conducive to year-round travelers on China tours. It is located in southern China and has a subtropical climate that makes sightseeing a great pleasure. Visitors on China tours should note it is only 180 km from Shanghai so the city can easily be included in any tour.
The West Lake is probably the singular most popular attraction in Hangzhou for visitors on China tours, although there are many other sites to visit as well. The lake offers gorgeous views from many scenic spots that are easy for a China tours visitor to access. There are 10 views in particular that have been selected as locations for stunning views of lake. Among the other attractions available for visitors on China tours to partake of in Hangzhou are Solitary Hill, the Six Harmonies Pagoda, the Mausoleum of General Yue Fei, and the Ling Yin Temple.
Solitary Hill
There is a story in China to explain every name and they are so interesting to hear. In the case of Solitary Hill, a real life hermit named Lin Bu was a very talented poet and painter. In his spare time, he planted plum trees and raised cranes. He never married; therefore, he was a solitary figure. The townspeople, after a while, considered the plum blossoms his wife and the cranes his children. The island where he lived was called Gu Shan and it stands solitarily in the waters of West Lake. It has beautiful landscapes and gorgeous views of West Lake and makes quite a nice location for a visitor on China tours. If you tour in early spring, you will be able to see the plum blossoms. Admission for travelers on China tours is free to this attraction.
Six Harmonies Pagoda
The Six Harmonies Pagoda is a veritable masterpiece of Chinese architecture. It was originally built during the years of the Northern Song Dynasty (386-581). It overlooks the Qiantang River and lies south of West Lake. The initial reason for building the pagoda, it was said, was to calm the waters of the Qiantang River at high tide. It was also meant to be a navigational aid. The first pagoda was completely destroyed in the year 1121 during a battle. The pagoda was rebuilt in its current state during three separate dynasties. It is in the shape of an octagon and is nearly 60 meters tall. The exterior of the structure looks like it is 13 stories tall but it is actually only 7 stories inside. A spiral staircase leads to the top floor and the ceiling of each level includes painted and carved animals, birds, and flowers. The admission fee for China tours travelers is CNY 30, which is inclusive of the CNY 10 fee to climb the pagoda, if you so choose.
Ling Yin Temple
This temple is one of the 10 most famous Buddhist temples in China. Ling Yin Temple is considered a very important center for research into the Chinese Buddhist culture and is listed as a protected site. Every China tours traveler should visit the Ling Yin Temple. This site can be traced back to the years 317-420 AD and the Eastern Jin Dynasty. Chinese legend believes that an Indian monk was inspired by the scenery of the area and decided this place had to be a dwelling of the “Immortals.” He gave the temple its name, which also means “Temple of the Soul’s Retreat.” It is a place where travelers on China tours can find peace and relaxation. It is open from 05:00 to 18:00 and has an admission fee of CNY 30. It is a perfect place for visitors on China tours to experience the temple atmosphere.
Hangzhou has many lovely places for China tours visitors to experience. Plan a stop on your tour in Hangzhou and ensure you don’t miss its lovely attractions. The West Lake and the city’s other highlights should be enjoyed by sightseers on China tours.