Middle Country: Hangzhou

We spent 2 days in Hangzhou [ 杭州= HángZhōu ], which is an hour train ride from Shanghai. It's famous for silk, pearls, and tea — so beware of overly friendly strangers on the bus who might try to start a casual conversation that will likely end up with a trip to a silk wholesale store.

Check out the Snack Street [ 杭州小吃街 = HángZhōuXiǎoChīJiē ] on Hefang Street [ ★ map | 河坊街 ] and around, where there are street vendors and old Chinese style restaurants with waiters dressed up in traditional outfits like in Chinese period dramas.

Originally, we planned to go to Wuzhen [ ★ map | 乌镇 = Wūzhèn ], a beautiful ancient water town but missed our train so had to take a 3-hour long bus back to Shanghai. Personally, I prefer Suzhou.

	West Lake [ 西湖 = XīHú ] ( ★ map ) I suppose you can't really come to Hangzhou without visiting the West Lake, although I was surprised as to how mediocre it looked, especially since it's supposed to be one of the Top 10 Sights in all of China [ 中国十大风景名胜 ]! It was nice enough, but I certainly didn't find it to be "very beautiful" like some of my Chinese students had gushed. On the map, the Chinese names of the different sections were so poetic, but not so much upon seeing them in person. I guess you can decide for yourself, but lower your expectations.
	Leifeng Pagoda [ 雷峰塔 = LéiFēngTǎ ] ( ★ map ) *8 am – 8:30 pm* \| 40 RMB Visible from the West Lake, this 5-storey octangular pagoda was rebuilt in 2002 since the 925 AD original collapsed decades ago. Take the outdoor escalator up to get a nice view of the West Lake and the surrounding area.
	Lingyin Temple [ 灵隐寺 = LíngYǐnSì ] ( ★ map ) *7 am – 6 pm* \| 30-45 RMB One of the ten most famous Buddhist temples of China, Temple of Soul's Retreat has religious statues carved into the face of limestone. You can hike up to the top. Nice place to spend a couple of hours exploring.
	Yue Fei Temple [ 岳廟 = YuèMiào ] ( ★ map ) *6 am – 6:30 pm* \| 25 RMB A temple honoring Yue Fei [ 岳飞 = YuèFēi ] (1103-1142), a military general from the Southern Song Dynasty [ 南宋 = NánSòng ], known and praised for his loyalty. His mom supposedly tattooed 盡忠報國 [ JìnZhōngBàoGuó ] on his back, which means to "serve the country with the utmost loyalty".
	Dragon Well [ 龙井 = LóngJǐng ] ( ★ map ) If you're into tea, this village is famous for Longjing tea [ 龙井茶 = LóngJǐngChá ], meaning dragon well tea. To be honest, I couldn't taste the difference because I'm not a tea connoisseur. Make sure you find out how much the tea should cost so you won't be overcharged, as there are many scammers in the form of friendly strangers on the bus who will be eager to take you into the village and sell you expensive tea.

	West Lake [ 西湖 = XīHú ] ( ★ map ) I suppose you can't really come to Hangzhou without visiting the West Lake, although I was surprised as to how mediocre it looked, especially since it's supposed to be one of the Top 10 Sights in all of China [ 中国十大风景名胜 ]! It was nice enough, but I certainly didn't find it to be "very beautiful" like some of my Chinese students had gushed. On the map, the Chinese names of the different sections were so poetic, but not so much upon seeing them in person. I guess you can decide for yourself, but lower your expectations.
	Leifeng Pagoda [ 雷峰塔 = LéiFēngTǎ ] ( ★ map ) *8 am – 8:30 pm* \| 40 RMB Visible from the West Lake, this 5-storey octangular pagoda was rebuilt in 2002 since the 925 AD original collapsed decades ago. Take the outdoor escalator up to get a nice view of the West Lake and the surrounding area.
	Lingyin Temple [ 灵隐寺 = LíngYǐnSì ] ( ★ map ) *7 am – 6 pm* \| 30-45 RMB One of the ten most famous Buddhist temples of China, Temple of Soul's Retreat has religious statues carved into the face of limestone. You can hike up to the top. Nice place to spend a couple of hours exploring.
	Yue Fei Temple [ 岳廟 = YuèMiào ] ( ★ map ) *6 am – 6:30 pm* \| 25 RMB A temple honoring Yue Fei [ 岳飞 = YuèFēi ] (1103-1142), a military general from the Southern Song Dynasty [ 南宋 = NánSòng ], known and praised for his loyalty. His mom supposedly tattooed 盡忠報國 [ JìnZhōngBàoGuó ] on his back, which means to "serve the country with the utmost loyalty".
	Dragon Well [ 龙井 = LóngJǐng ] ( ★ map ) If you're into tea, this village is famous for Longjing tea [ 龙井茶 = LóngJǐngChá ], meaning dragon well tea. To be honest, I couldn't taste the difference because I'm not a tea connoisseur. Make sure you find out how much the tea should cost so you won't be overcharged, as there are many scammers in the form of friendly strangers on the bus who will be eager to take you into the village and sell you expensive tea.

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Hangzhou