Friends World Program of Long Island University

Hangzhou City

History

"The city is beyond dispute the finest and the noblest in the world."

-Marco Polo c. 1300

When the Venetian merchant, Marco Polo, visited Hangzhou over 700 years ago, he referred to it as "The City of Heaven." First established in the Qin dynasty over 2,200 years ago, Hangzhou began to prosper from silk trade during the Sui dynasty in the 7th century, when it became the southern terminus of the Grand Canal, which was built to link the Yellow River with the Yangzi River and to facilitate travel and trade between the capital in the north and the fertile grain producing regions in the south.

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Last updated on Jul 03, 2006

Weather

China has four distinct seasons, and the climate in Hangzhou is somewhat similar to that of Washington D.C. In winter, although it is not unknown for temperatures to fall below freezing in January and February, there is little snow; rivers and lakes rarely freeze, but may. Summer is hot throughout the province; in July and August temperatures average 84 °F / 28 °C but can be uncomfortably muggy and reach temperatures as high as 100 °F / 37 °C. The best months are May and October, including about a two-week window on either side of these months, when it is ideal weather throughout most of China.

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Last updated on Aug 18, 2005

West Lake

Many Chinese, when mentioning Hangzhou, are fond of quoting the popular proverb, "Above there is paradise; below there are Suzhou and Hangzhou." It contrast to the artificial garden landscapes of Suzhou, Hangzhou is praised for its natural landscape-its "mountains and water." West Lake is most evocative of this proverbial "paradise on earth" in Hangzhou. Named for its location just west of the former city wall, West Lake is the symbol of Hangzhou. Embraced by verdant hills on three sides, the lake shores are frocked with lotus flowers in the summer and shaded by weeping willows in the springtime. Once a small bay on the banks of the Qiantang River delta, silting eventually separated it from the sea and formed a shallow inland freshwater lake. According to legend, it was formed when celestial deities fighting over a dazzling pearl that had been created by a dragon and a phoenix in the Milky Way fell to earth and became the lake.

Looking south over West Lake from Baoshi Mountain

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Last updated on Jul 03, 2006

The City Today

Hangzhou, the provincial seat of Zhejiang, is today one of the most popular tourist destinations in China. The city supports a total population over 6.4 million people as of 2003, with 3.9 million of these people living in the city proper. Reputed to be the safest and one of the most livable cities in China, much of Hangzhou, however, is still developing. As it does, urban planners and government officials strive to protect (and often recreate) the city's historic past and to preserve its natural environment, while simultaneously developing infrastructure and growing a robust economy. Much of the city is relatively ordinary and much like any other in China, rising and expanding rapidly, but the area around West Lake, and near the China Center, has been developed to reflect the city's rich cultural history and natural beauty. Today five-star hotels, youth hostels, souvenir shops, restaurants, bars, pubs, cafés, tea houses, and dance clubs encircle the famous West Lake and host a range of entertainment for the many Chinese and foreign visitors to Hangzhou. These provide unique opportunities for Chinese and foreign students from diverse cultures to gather and socialize in a relaxed atmosphere.

Last updated on Jul 03, 2006

Neighboring Cities

Sometimes referred to as "Shanghai's private garden," Hangzhou is less than two hours away from Shanghai, the largest city in China. While Beijing is the political capital of China, the cosmopolitan city of Shanghai is certainly its economic capital.

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Last updated on Jul 06, 2006