Hangzhou, known for its beautiful Xi Hu, West lake area, is considered one of the most beautiful places in China. An old saying goes, "Up above there is paradise, down below there are Hangzhou and Suzhou." The Chinese still like to call Hangzhou "Paradise on Earth". It is a a truly lofty nickname, and a visit to Hangzhou now does provide a lovely, and somewhat more peaceful alternative to the hustle and bustle of Shanghai and other big crowded Chinese cities. Hangzhou is a lovely city in which to spend a weekend wandering around the lake or even getting into the surrounding hills.

Along with Guilin, Hangzhou still remains one of China's most popular tourist destinations. It is the place for the perfect weekend away from Shanghai and is easily added to a Shanghai itinerary. If you're spending the night, the most atmospheric hotel is still the very fine five-star, Shangri-La Hotel Hangzhou, on the north shore of West Lake, with rooms with a view of the Lake. Another top choice is the classy Hyatt Regency Hangzhou, where the rooms are plush and modern with standard doubles. For a cheaper alternative, Jiexin Century Hotel, also known as the Yiyuan Binguan, on the eastern edges of the lake is affiliated with the China Academy of Fine Arts and offers clean, renovated doubles.

Hangzhou Garden Youth Hostel is another alternative to a cheap hotel in Hangzhou. It is located near the must-see Hangzhou Botanic Gardens on the western shore of West Lake, and consists of a beautifully restored historic courtyard building. The hostel is very convenient for walking and sightseeing especially in the area of West Lake, while its biggest advantage is the proximity to restaurants and nightlife. It is a 15 minute walk to the bar, tea house and restaurant strip on Shuguang Road.

Hangzhou is the capital of Zhejiang province and enjoys a subtropical monsoon climate with four distinct seasons, which is why it attracts tourists all year round. This perfect vacation spot has hot humid summers and dry winters, which makes it the place to be anytime of the year. Hangzhou is located on the lower reaches of the Qiantang River in southeast China. It is one of the most prosperous cities in China and is well known for its natural beauty. Some of the stunning attractions of Hangzhou include the West Lake, Solitary Hill, the Mausoleum of General Yue Fei, the Six Harmonies Pagoda and the Ling Yin Temple. Hangzhou also has many interesting museums like the National Silk Museum and Tea Museum. For dining, try the Hangzhou institution, on Solitary Hill Island, between the Xiling Seal Engraving Society and the Zhejiang Library.

Hangzhou is known as one of China's most treasured cities, which is situated south of Shanghai at the southern end of the ancient Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal and only 27km from Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport. Hangzhou's natural assets have historically boasted a thriving tourism industry. While there make sure that you visit West Lake as it has inspired generations of writers, painters and poets and will inspire you too. West Lake is the most visited point of the city by tourists, as its flanked by numerous parks, pagodas, temples and bridges.

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