Hangzhou has been an important city since the ancient times. Whether it was trade, culture or commercialization, Hangzhou played an important role during its time when it served as the capital of Southern Song Dynasty. The city is well-connected with...more
Hangzhou has been an important city since the ancient times. Whether it was trade, culture or commercialization, Hangzhou played an important role during its time when it served as the capital of Southern Song Dynasty. The city is well-connected with an extensive network of buses and subways. An interesting way of getting around some areas of the city is the water bus that ferries across the Grand Canal. The West Lake is the main attraction of the city. There are several sites around the West Lake that can be visited. A boat ride around the lake is highly recommended.
Hangzhou is known for its natural attractions among which the Hangzhou Botanical Gardens and the Hangzhou Zoo are also amazing. The Xixi National Wetlands Park is another major natural attraction in the area. Hangzhou is surrounded by several hills and mountains that are worth hiking. The trails around the West Lake and different gardens and parks of Hangzhou are good for a morning walk.
The shopping scene in Hangzhou is quite appealing. To get an authentic local shopping experience, the Night Market is a good place to shop. The Hangzhou China Silk Town is where you can buy silk fabric. There are a number of shopping malls in the city like the MIXC mall, which has been picturesquely built along the Qintang River. The mall offers excellent entertainment options also.
The city is served by the Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, which caters to domestic as well as international traffic. The airport is located around 30 Km from the city center. There are various transportation options from the airport to the city. Travelling by taxi takes around 30 minutes to 1 hour and can cost around 90 CNY. Shuttle service is also available from the airport, it costs around 20 CNY. Buses run at regular intervals to and from the airport.
There are several halal food outlets & restaurants in Hangzhou that offer delicious Chinese and international cuisine. Some of the best halal restaurants in the city include Dongyishun Restaurant, Phoenix Mosque Restaurant and Xianglin Halal Restaurant.
The Hangzhou Phoenix Mosque is the main mosque in Hangzhou. It is also among the oldest mosques in China. It is located on the Zhongshan Road.