Hangzhou casts an enchanting spell. Marco Polo marveled that it was "the most beautiful and elegant place in the world" and a popular Chinese saying boasts "above there is heaven, below there is Hangzhou." The following natural sceneries are also amazing besides the world famous West Lake.
Top 1: Six Harmonies PagodaThe Six Harmonies Pagoda was built in the year 970 as an offering to the elements calm the tidal surges. The climb to the top of the pagoda will give a bird's view of the beautiful scenery of the Qiantang River. It gives you the feeling of "standing on the top level of the green water".
The Chinese ancient pagoda exhibition garden was built on the Yunlun Mountain behind the Six Harmonies Pagoda in 1993. The park contains nearly a hundred famous pagodas built in a miniature. Visitors the pagoda garden may view and admire ancient pagodas of many artistic forms and architectural styles.
Top 2: Peak Flown from AfarThe mountains at Linyin have scraggy exotic stones and unusual scenery. The Indian monk Huili wondered: "it is the small mountain ridge of the Lingjiu Mountain in the central part of the Tianzhu Kingdom (present day India), how come it flies here?" Therefore, it was called "The Peak Flying from Afar". The Peak Flying from Afar is a treasure of stone cave art from ancient times that seldom seen in the Yangtze River Delta. They compare favorably with the Duzu stone carvings of Sichuan Province.
The "Chinese Stone Cave Arts Garden" was opened in the Linyin scenic area in 1993, and is a miniature version of the classic statues of famous stone cave arts from many parts of China such as Leshan Grand Buddha and Longmen Stone Cave.
Top 3: Hupao SpringHupao Spring is one of the nicest parks in Hangzhou, filled with teahouses, well-tended trees and shady pavilions.
Legend has it that when the sage Xing Kong visited Hangzhou, he bemoaned the lack of fresh water and quickly made plans to leave. Suddenly, a god appeared before him and told him not to worry because two tigers had been dispatched to bring water here. Sure enough, the next day the tigers came running and spring water began to flow.
The spring remains (though the tigers have long gone) and is now one of the best-known in Hangzhou. The combination of the Longjing tea and spring water is reputed to be uniquely refreshing and healthful—try some and see by yourself.
Top 4: Lingyin TempleAccording to the legend, more than 1600 years ago, Huili, an Indian monk, came to Hangzhou, saw the exotic and graceful peaks here and decided that this was the place where the immortals lived in seclusion.
He built a temple here and named it Lingyin which means the immortals are hidden here. Outside the Heavenly King's Hall of the Lingyin Temple, is the Lengquan (Cold Spring) Pavilion. It is said that when Su Dongpo (pseudonym of Su Shi) was a procurator in Hangzhou, he used to drink the wine while writing poems in the Lengquan Pavilion.
Top 5: Solitary HillSolitary Hill stands in the northwest of West Lake and is surrounded by water all sides. Although the hill is not high enough, it is the best place to appreciate the picturesque scenery of West Lake. Solitary Hill is not only a famous attraction, but a place full of cultural relics. Meandering in such a civilized place, you can incessantly experience the strong cultural tinge. On the south side of the hill is the classical restaurant famous for the authentic Hangzhou Cuisine. It boasts of a history of more than 150 years. Tourists can enjoy the local flavor at the same time appreciate the beautiful scenery in the restaurant.
