Zhejiang Province is situated along the shore of the East Sea. It has a total area of over 100,000 square kilometers (38,600 square miles) and a population of 46 million .Zhejiang is the province with the most islands in China, with more than 200 islands along its coast.
   Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang Province, is at the southern end of the Grand Canaland and one of China's seven ancient national capitals. Hangzhou is in the south of the Yangtze River and has a mild climate with 4 distinct seasons. Spring is the best time to travel. May and July are the rainy seasons. Hangzhou is occasionally hit by typhoon in August or September. Winter is cold and it snows sometimes.

Tourism
West Lake
   China is a photographers dream; the people and the spectacular scenery have been inspiration for artist for centuries. China Highlights can point any photographer in the right direction. Find out more photography tours hereThe West Lake Scenic Area Covers an area of 60 square kilometers, out of which the West Lake occupies 5.6 square kilometers with 3.3 kilometers from north to south and 2.8 kilometers from west to east. The lake has a circumference of 15 kilometers. There are two brocade-ribbon-like causeways inside the lake, namely Bai Causeway and Su causeway, and they divide the lake into five parts. Three man-make islands named Three Pools Mirroring the moon, Mid-lake Pavilion and Mr. Ruan TYuan's Mount stand elegantly in the outer lake.The "Ten West Lake views"and the "ten new West Lake view"add much more beauty to the West Lake.
Peak Flown From Afar
  The Peak Flown From Afar is just opposite to the Lingyin Temple. It is a 209 meters limestone peak, which was said to fly over from India and set here. Near the peak is Peak Flew From Afar Cave, on its slope and inside the caves are more than 300 stone Buddhas carved during the period of the Five Dynasties to the Yuan Dynasty (907-1368A. D.). The stone figures appears in a variety of poses, standing, squatting, sitting and sleeping. They are national cultural heritages which are under the protection of the national government.
Mountain Putuo
   Located in the Zhoushan Islands, Mountain Putuo is one of China's four sacred Buddhist mountains, particularly oriented toward the Buddhist deity Guanyin, the goddess of mercy and compassion. Mt. Putuoshan dominates the small rhomboidal land mass with its total area of about 12.5 square kilometres (4.8 square miles).The island's scenic beauty meant it was the perfect setting for temples and other religious buildings. In due course, it became known as the "Heaven of the Sea and Kingdom of the Buddhists".

 

Dining
   Zhejiang cuisine is one of the eight famous culinary arts in China. The fresh, tender, soft, and smooth dishes accompanied by its mellow fragrance have won for itself widespread reputation in the culinary world. Hangzhou dishes, being the most important part of Zhejiang cuisine, are noted for its elaborate preparations, sophisticated way of cooking and its most refreshing taste.

Dongpo Pork
   It is cooked by braising fine-skinned and thin pieces of fat streaked pork with famous Shaoxing wine in a sealed pot. When the dish is ready, the pork will be moist and red, and the sauce well be thick and tasty. It tastes savory, sweet and full of body, but not greasy.
West Lake Fish in Sweet and Sour Sauce
   It is prepared with a West Lake grass carp, weighing about 0.5kg and starved for two days, as its main ingredient. Boiled for three minutes and then sugar and vinegar sauce is poured over it.The fish tastes delicious with a taste similar to crab.

Shopping
   Hangzhou Longjing Tea (Dragon Well Tea) is considered China's best. It is not only famous for its unique green color, fragrant aroma, sweet taste, and flat appearance, but is also regarded as a health elixir. The tea falls into different grades; the best is the first pick of a year, normally in late March or early April. Besides its good quality, Longjing Tea also enjoys a famous long history.

   Hangzhou is well known for producing excellent silks, including satins. Throughout its long history, a variety of Hangzhou silks and satins have been sold throughout the world. The best place for purchasing silk in Hangzhou is at Hangzhou Silk City, the biggest silk wholesale and retail market in China with more than 600 silk enterprises dealing in a wide variety of pure silk fabrics, garments, handicraft articles, scarves, and ties.

 

 Transportation
Air
   Hangzhou is served by the Xianshan International Airport, which is located some 27 kilometers from downtown Hangzhou. There are daily flights to major cities and bigger tourist cities in China.Aviation buses are available to pick up passengers from the city center to the airport for 20 yuan. Travelers can also take a taxi there for around 100 yuan.
Boat
   Boat trips from Hangzhou to Suzhou or Wuxi along the Grand Canal is available. Boats often departs at the night and arrive the destination in early morning. This service is usually only available in summer or peak seasons.
Public Bus
   Public buses go virtually everywhere in the city proper. The bus number is important. Bus numbers prefixed by "K" are air-conditioned. Bus numbers prefixed by "3" and "5" are running to the neighboring rural areas and special lines, respectively. Tourism buses are indicated by a Chinese"游"(you)