About Hangzhou
(Image from the Tonglu district in Hangzhou, photo by Wenyao Zheng)

Hangzhou

Zhejiang Province is located in the south of the Yangtze River Delta on the southeastern coast of China, Natural scenery and humanities landscapes complement each other in Zhejiang. There are 9 national historical and cultural cities in the province, including Hangzhou, Ningbo, Shaoxing, Quzhou, Jinhua, Linhai, Jiaxing, Huzhou, and Wenzhou, 20 China historical and cultural townships, and 28 China historical and cultural villages. The total number of famous townships and villages ranks No. 1 in the country. Hangzhou was the venue for the 2016 G20 Summit, boasting a unique charm of the integration of history and reality. Hangzhou is one of the important tourist cities in China, famous for its natural beauty and historical and cultural heritage. Hangzhou is the capital of Zhejiang province, and being the political, economic, and cultural center of the province as well. It is one of the 15 vice-provincial cities in China. With an area of 16,596 square kilometers inhabited by a population of 6.08 million, it embraces six urban districts and seven suburban counties, namely, Yuhang, Xiaoshan, Fuyang, Tonglu, Linan, and Jiande.

Hangzhou was also described by the Italian traveler Marco Polo as "beyond dispute the finest and the noblest in the world." and "The most beautiful and magnificent city in the world"

(Image from the famous "West Lake" in Hangzhou, photo by Claire Zhang)

Travel

Hangzhou, a poetic city reputed as  “Heaven on Earth,” has inspired countless poets, scholars, painters, pilgrims, and photographers during the past millennia. Combining the best of East and West flavors, it complements Beijing as one of the top two tourism hotspots in China. First-timers might try visiting some classic locations, such as West Lake, the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, Leifeng Pagoda, Lingyin Monastery and Qinghefang Historical Street. Afterward, visitors could spice up their experience by visiting such historical sites as Huqingyutang, the Former Residence of Hu Xueyuan, and Xixi Wetland National Park. After covering the essentials, visitors may try lesser-explored destinations, such as Six Harmonies Pagoda and Meijiawu.

(Image from the famous "Hangbang Cuisine")

Food

Hangzhou is known as the "land of fish and rice" and is rich in produce. The unique agricultural production conditions have given rise to a wide variety of crops, trees, fruits, livestock, tea, mulberry, flowers, etc. In this environment, a unique cuisine, "Hangbang Cuisine", has been developed. As a branch of Zhejiang Cuisine, one of the Eight Great Cuisines of China, Hangbang cuisine is mainly steamed, braised, blanched and burnt, with light oil, light pulp, light and tender taste, and fresh and salty in one.

(Image from the Grand Hyatt Hangzhou website, Grand Ballroom and Salon)

Accommodation

Hangzhou offers a wide range of accommodation options to suit a variety of needs and budgets. Many of the city's hotels offer a range of amenities, such as fitness centres, swimming pools, and on-site restaurants. Additionally, visitors can choose to stay in a traditional Chinese-style inn, or a homestay, which offers a unique cultural experience and the opportunity to interact with local families. Overall, there is a wide range of accommodation options available in Hangzhou, catering to all tastes and budgets

As a conference venue, Grand Hyatt Hangzhou houses 388 comfortable rooms and suites, the majority with a wide bay window and seat designed to best absorb the breathtaking West Lake view.

(Image from Hangzhou's "Zijingang” Campus, photo by Junzhe Wang)

SciTech

Hangzhou has been at the forefront of artificial intelligence (AI) technology development in China. The city is home to a number of AI research institutes and startups, as well as a number of technology companies that are working on AI-related projects. Some notable examples of AI technology development in Hangzhou include Alibaba Group's AI research institute, which focuses on natural language processing, computer vision, and other areas of AI research; and the Zhejiang University Institute of Advanced Technology, which is focused on developing AI technologies for applications such as healthcare, finance, and manufacturing. Hangzhou has also been actively promoting the development of AI through initiatives such as the Hangzhou AI Innovation Development Plan, which aims to establish Hangzhou as a national and international AI innovation hub.

Zhiweiguan

Name in Chinese: 知味观

Address: 7537+3C Shangcheng District, Hangzhou

Phone: +86 571 8701 0200

Xinbailu Restaurant

Name in Chinese: 新白鹿餐厅

Address: 56 Longyou Rd, Xiacheng District, Hangzhou

Phone: +86 571 8792 2071

West Lake Spring

Name in Chinese: 西湖春天

Address: 101-17 Nanshan Rd, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou

Phone: +86 571 8708 5551

Shoukangyong Vegetarian Restaurant

Name in Chinese: 寿康永素食餐厅

Address: 38 Yan'an Rd, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou

Phone: +86 571 8707 0118

HaiDiLao Hotpot

Name in Chinese: 海底捞火锅

Address: Shangcheng District, Hangzhou

Phone: +86 571 8708 8050

Dubai (Hangzhou) Flavor Music Rest.

Name in Chinese: 迪拜风味音乐餐厅

Address: Shangcheng District, 66, Dongpo Rd, No.66, 3F

Phone: +86 571 5607 5673

mamala Restaurant

Name in Chinese: mamala西餐厅

Address: No.111 Tongyi Road, No . 12 Art Depot, LOFT 49, LOFT Creative Industrial Park

Phone: 86-571-18657198257/18668153733

The Vineyard

Name in Chinese: 味雅咖啡西餐厅

Address: No.173, Yugu Road, Hangzhou (杭州市玉古路173号)

Phone: 86-571-87632388

Sawasdee Thai Restaurant

Name in Chinese: 萨瓦迪泰国餐厅

Address: No.555, Fengqi Road, Hangzhou (杭州市凤起路555号)

Phone: 86-571-87616888

Indian Kitchen

Name in Chinese: 印度小厨

Address: No.61, Nanshan Road, Hangzhou (杭州市南山路61号)

Phone: 86-571-87074777

Useful Numbers

Fire: 119

Police: 110

Ambulance: 120

Traffic Emergency: 122

Tourist Service Hotline: 96123

Tourism Complaint: 87030886

Calling for a Taxi: 28811111

Telephone Number Inquiry: 114

Area Code: 86-571

Electricity: 220V, 50Hz alternating current

Currency: Renminbi (RMB); Symbol: ¥; Units: Yuan (元)

Languages Spoken: Mandarin, English


Weather

Hangzhou is blessed with a relatively mild subtropical climate featuring four distinct seasons. The annual temperature is 16°C(60°F), with an average rainfall of 1500mm and humidity averaging 74% to 85%. Summers here are long, hot and sticky, when temperatures may reach 40°C. Winters remain relatively free of frost; the dampness does not inhibit an occasional snowfall. Spring sees drizzling rain and mist linger over West Lake, painting the much romanticized scene of hazy blue waters against hills of green and blossoming trees. The end of September signal agreeable temperature, clear skies, autumn leaves, and the perfect setting to view the full moon that marks the Mid-Autumn Festival.