Hangzhou – A garden style city in China by its landscape and culture, neighboring with Shanghai.

Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, one of the top ten airports, is the third busiest airport in eastern China, only second to Pudong and Hongqiao airport in Shanghai. It owns 55 airlines with more than 100 air routes that connect 86 domestic cities and 35 international cities.The airport operates direct flights to/from Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, Xiamen, etc. as well as regional and international cities like Hong Kong, Macau, Seoul, Tokyo, Bangkok, Singapore, etc.

Hangzhou Railway Station is the earliest railway station in Hangzhou, it is regarded as the most important station that mainly serves for common trains.Most high speed trains are operated by Hangzhou East Railway Station, which has become a transportation hub in Hangzhou since it was put in operation in 2013.Currently, the station operates high speed trains to/from metropolis like Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Guilin and so on. The East Railway Station achieves easy transfer to airport, railway station, scenic areas, and downtown through metro, city buses, and airport buses.

Metro, city buses, and taxis are the main public traffic means in city area. The complete transport system offers citizens and travelers multiple choices to reach shopping streets, scenic areas, and snack centers of Hangzhou.

Hangzhou weather is generally warm and mild year round, with abundant sunshine and rainfall.  The average annual temperature is 17 °C (62 °F), with monthly averages ranging from 4 °C (40 °F) in January to 28 °C (83 °F) in July. There are four clear-cut seasons – a short and rainy spring, a hot and humid summer, a cool and clear autumn, and a dry and cold winter. There are two rainy seasons in the region -- one is the Plum Rain Season beginning in late June through early July; the other comes with heavy rains and potential typhoons in August and September. High tourist season occurs in spring (Mar. to May) and autumn (Sep. to Nov.). Hangzhou is an extremely comfortable and pleasant place for foreigners to live.

Dongpo Pork (braised pork), is cooked by braising fine-skinned and thin pieces of fat streaky bacon with famous Shaoxing wine in a sealed pot. When the dish is ready, the bacon will be moist and red, and the sauce will be thick and tasty. It tastes savory, sweet and full of body, but not greasy. It is said that braised Dongpo Pork was first made by the great litterateur Su Dongpo (Su Shi), he helped people in the flood in Xuzhou when he was the governor. In order to thank him, citizens sent him plentiful pork when knowing that he was fond of that.

West Lake Fish in Sweet and Sour Sauce is a famous dish with traditional flavor. It is cooked with live grass carp. The fish needs to be put in a tank to starve it for two or three days, to let go the trash in its bowels and the smell of soil. The fire need to be strictly controlled when cooking it.

Fried Shrimps with Longjing Tea is prepared with shelled fresh water shrimps and the well-known Dragon Well (Long Jing) green tea leaves. It is beautiful in color, and has a special taste.

Hangzhou is known as one of China’s most beautiful and culturally rich cities. The most celebrated attraction is undoubtedly the West Lake, which has inspired China’s finest poets for centuries. Surrounded by mountains, the serene 6 sq.m. lake is noted for its scenic beauty which blends naturally with famous historical and cultural sites like temples and pagodas.  At night, Hangzhou has much to offer, from traditional teahouses to hip bars. Choosing one overlooking the West Lake for a pleasant chat over a cup of tea is sure to make you feel relaxed and refreshed.

A number of national museums can be found in Hangzhou which are representatives of Chinese culture. Fine examples are the National Silk Museum and Tea Museum. Along with other museums in Hangzhou, they provide a fascinating insight into the history of Chinese traditional products.