Breathtakingly beautiful, Hangzhou has been called the finest and most splendid city in the world.  Any trip to China warrants a visit to this capital city of Zhejiang Province, at the southern end of the Grand Canal.  With 2,200 years of history, it is no surprise that this culturally rich city offers endless amounts of sites and attractions with it lakes, gardens, temples, and towering trees. The Six Harmonies Pagoda and the Lin Yin Temple, in the scenic area of West Lake, are one of the most frequently visited sites.  It's commanding, yet delicate architectural elements, has earned it's position as a must see on any travelers list of Hangzhou. A glimpse at street life during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279) can be experienced on He Fang Street with its traditional buildings that houses shops where you can purchase local goods such as teas, Hangzhou's well-know silks, parasols, and other traditional Chinese handcrafts.

Hangzhou first began to prosper into the elegant city we know today during the Tang Dynasty (618-907) as result of its superior position in the agriculturally important region of the Yangtze Delta.   During the Song Dynasty (1127-1279), the city began to flourish politically, financially, and culturally as the newly established capital.  The population climbed to a million in less than 100 years and was recognized as a major trading center.  The great Italian explorer, Marco Polo, came to Hangzhou in the 13th century and deemed it to be “the most beautiful and elegant city in the world”.  He marveled at the reported 13,000 stone bridges that sprinkled the city with mystique.  One site that filled this world explorer with delight is West Lake with its ‘…grandeur and loveliness, its temples, monasteries, and gardens with their towering trees, running down the water's edge.” 
Hangzhou's much deserved reputation as being one of the most beautiful and serene sites in all of China can only be witnessed first-hand.  Through its long history, many buildings have been destroyed, yet, the impressive archaeological attractions and pure natural beauty of the city will not disappoint any visitor hoping to relive Marco Polo's experience and observations, seven centuries later.

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