Tour to China's Jiangnan - Hangzhou (part 1)

We had 2 nights in Hangzhou, once desribed by Marco Polo as the noblest city in the world.

Song Dynasty City is the first theme park in Hangzhou city and the largest of its kind dedicated to Song-Dynasty culture. It embraces scenes built in accordance with the traditional Chinese painting "Riverside scenes during the Festival of Pure Brightness", Kowloon Square, Song Square, Celestial Hills and Jade-like Pavilions.


Lingyin Temple is notably renowned as one of the 10 most famous ancient Buddhist temples in China. The temple is situated at the foot of Mount Lingyin and beside it is the West Lake. First built by an Indian monk, Huili in 326 AD during the Eastern Jin Dynasty, the temple was renamed Lingyin Temple or the "Temple of Inspired Seclusion" for its beauty and serenity environment. It is regarded a suitable "hermitage for the immortals". The legendary Monk Jigong was said to originate from this temple.


West Lake or Xihu is a pristine lake surrounded by mountains on its 3 sides and the city of Hangzhou at the 4th. The scenic area stretches for 60 sq km of which 5.6 sq km are waters. It is known as the "Paradise on Earth" with natural setting of strangely shaped peaks, serene forests and springs, dense foliage and a myriad of blossoms especially during the spring. Its beauty is further enhanced by the treasury of sculpture and architectural features.