Southeast China, where Hangzhou is located, has a long history of silk-making. In 1992, a museum of national status was opened, which, in its eight spacious exhibition halls, present five thousand years of the silk culture in China. The museum is located southern side of West Lake.
Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province, is known for the exquisite beauty of the hills and waters that surround the city.
Chinese Naitonal Silk Museum in Hangzhou
Chinese National Tea Museum in Hangzhou
One of the best known tea brands in China is Longjing Tea. This is the tea that comes from the village of Longjing (Dragon Well) that lies a short distance southwest of West Lake. A National Tea Museum was established near Longjing in 1991 where visitors can learn about the tea culture of China, and, not incidentally, purchase their favorite brands of tea.
Lingyin means "Soul's Retreat" or "Spiritual Seclusion". The temple so named was established over 1,600 years ago, back in the fourth century, and is considered one of the most important Buddhist temples in China. The temple is located west of Hangzhou, a trip of about half an hour from Hangzhou.
Liuhe means "the Harmony of the Six", which refers to the six fundamental ordinances of Buddhism. The pagoda stands on the northern bank of the Qingtang River, which flows by the souther side of Hangzhou. The existing structured was built in the Southern Song Dyansty (1127-1279), when Hangzhou was the capital of China.
Solitary Hill (Gu Shan) is an island in the northwestern corner of West Lake. A bridge connects it to the lake shore on one end of the island and a long causeway (Bai Di) on the other. About 50 acres in area, the island is a park where one finds, among other attractions, Zhejiang Provincial Museum, Hangzhou Art Gallery, and Xiling Imprinting Society. "Ping Hu Qiu Yue" - "autumnal moon above the quiet lake" - viewed from Solitary Hill used to be a main sight of Hangzhou.
As the name indicates, West Lake (Xi Hu) is located west of Hangzhou. Known for its natural beauty and historical value, which has inspired numerous poets and painters over the centuries, West Lake, is the main attraction in the region and one of the top travel destinations in China. The way to appreciate West Lake is approach it from different perspectives, at different times of the day, under different weathers, and during seasons.
The Yue Temple (Yue Wang Miao) was established to honor Yue Fei （1103-1142）, a general in the Southern Song Dynasty who fought to defend his country but was persecuted jealous ministers and eventually died in jail. Located on the northern back of West Lake, the mausoleum was originally built in the 13th century and was reconstructed in the following centuries.
Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport is 30 km south of central Hongzhou. Transportation: shuttle buses, taxis, and long distance buses.