Are you looking for a relaxing yet luxurious short trip between now and Christmas? What about Hangzhou? Widely known among the Chinese population as the heaven on earth, it is the back garden of Shanghai, with both spectacular scenery and historic attractions. Now is definitely the best time to go, when the weather is comfortable yet misty. You can take your loved ones out on an exclusive rowboat ride on the West Lake, Hangzhou's most famous tourist attraction, as well as the adrenaline fuelled tide watching at Qiantang River. This is the place where you can spoil yourself silly with local delicacies and soothing massages!
Wanna know where else I would recommend for your stay in Hangzhou? Read the rest of the article at Lifestyle Asia!
I would recommend staying in Banyan Tree Hangzhou, which is secluded from the bustling traffic near the West Lake. Obviously spa is a common asset among the Banyan Tree resorts, but even if you have been to other resorts from the chain, you will still be speechless from Hangzhou's spacious yet rustic Siheyuan, each equipped with huge tub/pool, retro patio, Chinese chess sets, relaxing incense, mouthwatering traditional snacks, as well as Chinese literature based in Hangzhou, like the Legend of the White Snake. Although they have golf carts to take you around the entire site, you should really try walking around their grounds with your loved ones, because it isn't everywhere you can find such amazing traditional Chinese architecture, with bridges and canals scattered around the premises, minus the crowd and pesky mosquitoes. It is especially romantic in the evenings, when all the lights are lit and reflected on the canal. Their staff also has superb knowledge of Hangzhou as well as being courteous, so you can count on them to make fantastic yet unassuming arrangements for your excursions.
Where to Sightsee
If you are staying at Banyan Tree Hangzhou, then you should take advantage of your location and visit the Xixi National Wetland Park nearby, which is known for its natural scenery, being the only wetland park situated in a city centre in China. Private rowboats are available for you and your loved ones to take your tea in, just like the way they use to do it back in ancient times, while admiring the willows brushing against the wind. It isn't just all nature in Xixi, since it was fully inhabited only until recently, having been a water village much like Murano. There are impressive ancient architectures around the park as well, such as Gaozhuang. If you are still unsure about it, go ahead and watch If You Are The One first, which is set in the park, and decide for yourself!
What to Eat
Hangzhou cuisine doesn't do much of spicy, salty, or sweet. Their taste is more subdue, as you can see from their locals snacking around Linyin Temple, munching on cucumbers instead of popsicles. No wonder everyone around are so skinny! A great place to sample their renowned Dragonwell Tea and healthy farmhouse dishes would be on the Lion Peak. Lion Peak's Dragonwell Tea is usually thought of as the best Chinese green tea, and its tea plantation turns out to be quite a scenic tea house. Also known for its spring water, it complements the dragonwell tea rather well. You can easily spend a day there, just sipping tea and immersing into the natural scenery.
Where to Shop
If you are originally from America, Russia, Japan, or Canada, you will have seen JNBY shops before, which stands for Jiangnan Buyi, literally meaning river south cotton clothing. It had its humble beginnings right here in Hangzhou, and now it has firmly established its role in the international fashion world. They are dedicated in using neutral muted color as well as natural materials such as cotton, linen, and silk. Their specialty, as New York Times calls it, is making shape shifter, where one piece can be worn in many different ways. You might have visited their flagship store in New York Soho, but have you pay tribute to their original store in Hangzhou?