The people of Hangzhou will tell you of the old Chinese saying, "In paradise there is heaven... on earth there is Hangzhou." Hangzhou's heart-beat is West Lake, a pearl of a lake that has long been the primary destination spot in China for young lovers, newlyweds and local tourists of all stripes. The country spent hundreds of millions of dollars renovating the lake-front when China's tourism industry suffered from the SARS epidemic and now it sparkles even more. It was a capital of the Song dynasty nearly 1,000 years ago and it's surprising the dynastic rulers ever left. The lake is surrounded by Chinese practicing Tai Chi, ball-room dancing, riding in dragon boats, enjoying tea, and taking pictures of their loved ones in front of monumental lotus flowers.
We had a wonderful guide named Joe for one of our two and a half days there and were able to enjoy our "vacation from our vacation" thanks to his great advice. Our adventures included: a powered boat ride around the lake as well as a self-powered row. We walked the lake (one of us even biked around part of it), explored the neighboring botanical garden, visited a nearby tea plantation, and watched an evening water-spectacle directed by China's premier film director Zhang Yimou. Parts of the show will be featured in the opening ceremonies in Beijing in just a few weeks. To catch a glimpse of what we saw around China's earth-bound piece of heaven, visit our West Lake slideshow on Flickr.
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