The provincial capital, Hangzhou, was once the capital of all China and has a very long history. Zhejiang Province marks the end of the coastal plain running down the Eastern seaboard of China. Hangzhou is at the southern end of the two thousand year old Grand Canal that links the major cities of China. It has always been a fairly prosperous province with a good supply of rain and warm summers. The Qiantung has another claim to fame, and it has the largest tidal bore in the world. The proof that Zhejiang has been inhabited for at least 8,000 years ago is shown by archeological finds unearthed at Kuahuqiao. Silk has always been an important industry and Zhejiang produces 30% of China’s output.
Popular Cities: Hangzhou, Ningbo, Wenzhou, Shaoxing, Jinhua, Jiaxing, Huzhou
Average temperature: 2ºC to 8ºC (35.6ºF to 46.4ºF) in January, 27ºC to 30ºC (80.6ºF to 96ºF) in July.
Places to visit
1. At the Orchid Pavilion Shaoxing there is an outstanding display of calligraphy. However the city of Shaoxing is better known for its rice wine which is produced in vast quantities. Shaoxing was the capital of the short-lived Yue kingdom.
2. The West Lake at Hangzhou is a famous tourist spot. Surrounded by mountains on three sides, the lake covers an area of 6.5 square kilometers (650 hectares). On average, the lake is 3 meters deep. It has numerous temples, pagodas, gardens, and artificial islands located within. The lake’s 11 sections flaunt over 100 scenic spots! Elegant causeways run along the banks. The West Lake was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011.
3. Qiantangjiang Tidal Bore. If you are visiting in September during the autumn equinox, you may be able to see one of the most unusual sights in the world. A tidal bore gathers momentum in the Gulf of Hangzhou, surges into the mouth of the Qiangtang River, and races up the river, at a height of up to 30 ft. and a speed of more than 15m.p.h.
4. Situated in Leqing, Wenzhou, Yandang Mountain is a typical ancient rhyolitic volcano from the Cretaceous period. Over the past 20,000 years, the Yandang Mountain volcano has experienced four periods and several dozens of eruptions. The mountain includes over 500 tourist attractions, all scattered across its eight major scenic zones. The panorama is mainly composed of peaks, waterfalls, caves and steep cliffs.In 2005 Yandang Mountain was named a UNESCO World Geopark.
5. With a history covering 1,200 years, the Wuzhen Ancient Water Town is famous for its ancient buildings and layout, with bridges of all sizes crossing the streams that wind through the town. It has a residential area that features local traditions and customs. Visitors can also experience the old Xizha lifestyle by either sipping tea in a traditional tea house or enjoying an opera performance in the theater.
6. Lingyin Temple, or the Temple of the Soul’s Retreat, is the oldest Buddhist monastery in Hangzhou. It was founded in 328 during the Eastern Jin Dynasty (316-420) by an Indian monk name Hui Li, and has a history spanning over 1,700 years. it consisted of 9 buildings, 18 towers, 72 halls with 1,300 rooms and more than 3,000 monks.
7. Putuo Mountain Island is 8.6 kilometers (5.34 miles) long from north to south, 3.5 kilometers (2.17 miles) wide from west to east and covers an overall area of 12.5 square kilometers (1,250 hectares). It is located in China’s Eastern Sea and truly testifies to the timeless beauty of mountains and oceans. Its main peak, the Peak of Buddhist Top, is located at 300 meters above sea level. It is one of the first National Key Scenic resorts in China.
