Hangzhou - A Relaxing Getaway, Hangzhou, China

Located in eastern part of China in the Zhejiang province, Hangzhou is the perfect place for a relaxing three day visit on a multi-city itinerary. Just an hour away from Shanghai by high-speed train, this mid-sized city (for China’s standards!) is a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of Shanghai’s city life. Once the capital of China during the reign of the Wuyue Kingdom and the Southern Song Dynasty, Hangzhou’s picturesque West Lake and its surrounding hills have inspired famous artists, poets, and scholars since the 9th Century. The West Lake, comprising of temples, pavilions, pagodas, gardens, ornamental trees, causeways, and islands, is honored as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its preservation of important cultural and historical landscape.

Hangzhou also has an airport but it was really easy to get there by high-speed train from Shanghai. The train station in Hangzhou is huge and more confusing than the one in Shanghai. Do go there earlier to pick up your tickets at the “foreigner” ticket counter (bring your passports!). They have really strict 30 minute lunch breaks and all the counters will shut down at the same time so keep that in mind! Do give yourself ample time in case you get lost and/or are stuck in a long queue. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).