Overview

Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang, one of China's smallest but most prosperous and powerful provinces, stands at the southern end of the Yangtze delta some 180 km southwest of Shanghai. Marco Polo visited Hangzhou and described it as "the finest and most splendid city in the world". This is largely thanks to the West Lake (Xihu), a natural lagoon formed some 2,000 years ago as the tidal waters of the Qiantang River gradually silted up. West Lake is a large freshwater lake, bordered on three sides by hills. Its banks and islands are blanketed with small gardens and temples.

Hangzhou's most famous individual sights, ranging from the extravagant and historic Yuefei Mu (Temple and Tomb of Yuefei) to the ancient hillside Buddhist carvings of Feilai Feng and its associated temple, the Lingyin Si, one of China's largest and most renowned. Farther afield, beautiful tea plantations nestle around the village of Longjing and the bizarre former home of the disgraced leader Lin Biao. While south down to the Qiantang River there are excellent walking opportunities.