Back to Hangzhou - Days 10-11

West Lake 

There are dozens of lakes called West Lake worldwide, but "West Lake" usually refers to the west lake in Hangzhou.  It is surrounded by mountains on three sides and the open side is the beautiful downtown of Hangzhou. West Lake is not only famous for its picturesque landscape, it is also associated with many scholars, national heroes and revolutionary martyrs, thus embracing many aspects of Chinese culture. 

Yanan Road 

Some people have compared this road to a shopping street in Paris. A three-thousand-meter-long road, it is said to be the Number One Street in Hangzhou and the city's commercial center. Along the road are included the grand buildings of the Zhejiang Provincial Great Hall of the People, Hangzhou Culture Center, Victory Theater, International Mansion, Hangzhou Department Store, Hangzhou Grand Hotel, and Haifeng Western Restaurant. 

Wulin Square

It is a new center of culture and commerce where towers and skyscrapers are springing up, including Hangzhou Telecom Building, Zhejiang Provincial Exhibition Hall, Hangzhou Shopping Center, Hangzhou Theatre, and Zhejiang Provincial Science and Technology Museum. 

Fei Lai Feng

Fei Lai Feng  is a must-see in Hangzhou.  Fei Lai Feng is about 700 fee tall and is a pure limestone mountain that is very distinctive from the sandstone mountains around it.  Large stones scattered along the peak are said to resemble animals like a flying dragon, a running elephant, a crouching tiger, and a fleeing monkey. Fei Lai Feng is most likely to simulate the imagination and make one reluctant to leave. Some even say that one experience at Fei Lai Feng will leave you with memories that will last the rest of your life.

Ling Yin Temple

Ling Yin Temple is one of the ten most famous Buddhist temples of China.  The Temple contains an important collection of Buddhist literature together with many other treasures. As a consequence it is a great centre of information for those who wish to study aspects of Chinese Buddhism in detail. The palaces, pavilions and halls together with their many figures of Buddhist deities represent in total a splendid and unique collection of architectural and artistic cultural relics.

Six Harmonies Pagoda

The Six Harmonies Pagoda is located on Yuelun Hill is one of the true masterpieces of ancient Chinese architectures. There is a spiral staircase leading to the top floor and upon each of the seven ceilings are carved and painted figures including animals, flowers, birds and characters. Each story of the pagoda consists of four elements, the exterior walls, a zigzagged corridor, the interior walls and a small chamber. Viewed from outside, the pagoda appears to be layered-bright on the upper surface and dark underneath. That is a harmonious alternation of light and shade.