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Where is the happiest city in your heart?
Is it Chengdu, a cozy and delicious place? Or the hot Changsha? Or maybe it’s Chongqing in Magic 8D…
The streets and alleys of this city are filled with green willow trees.
This city is the “muse” of countless literati, and many classic poems and songs were born here.
This city has been comparable to “paradise” since ancient times, with beautiful mountains and clear waters that make people forget to leave.
This city has a long history, the splendid Liangzhu cultural relics, the melodious ancient charm of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal…all are fascinating.
When they see the word Hangzhou, many people have a question mark in their minds.
Perhaps it’s because this city is so famous now, and everyone’s impression of it has gradually changed to one of fast pace and many tourists…
Everyone feels that “comfort” has nothing to do with it.
So why is Hangzhou so famous?
01
Why is Hangzhou favored by Su Shi and Bai Juyi?
Although Hangzhou is developing rapidly nowadays, the charm of this city still exists, but it requires everyone to calm down and savor it slowly.
After all, from ancient times to the present, countless literati have left the most romantic and moving words to Hangzhou.
If you want to compare the West Lake to the West, it is always better to put on light makeup and heavy makeup.
West Lake is the business card of Hangzhou, and it is also the soul of Hangzhou.
Although it is not as majestic as the sea, the Leifeng Pagoda in the distance reveals a vague beauty, like an ink painting, with a unique flavor.
In Hangzhou, there is also a saying:
“The Sunny West Lake is not as good as the Rainy West Lake, the Rainy West Lake is not as good as the Night West Lake, and the Night West Lake is not as good as the Snow West Lake.”
In other words, no matter when you come, West Lake will greet you with a different attitude.
In spring, “the Su Di is full of flowers and willows are full of smoke, and it’s a sunny day when picking herbs.”
In summer, “the lotus leaves touching the sky are infinitely green, and the lotus flowers reflecting the sun are uniquely red.”
Autumn is “white apples and red polygonum are wrapped in the west wind, and the lake is full of autumn light.”
In winter, it is “a trace of blue and white ink on the white embankment, and two eyebrow lines on the broken bridge.”
However, West Lake is so famous that it is always crowded with people, especially during holidays.
Instead of walking shoulder to shoulder on the broken bridge, it is better to take a walk on the “Hangzhou Three Embankments”.
“I love the lack of eastbound lake, the white sand embankment in the shade of green poplars”
The Baisha Causeway here refers to the current “Baisha Causeway”.
Starting from “Broken Bridge with Remaining Snow” in the east and ending at “Pinghu Autumn Moon”, the entire road is full of stories and full of style. It’s no wonder that Bai Juyi had a special liking for this place.
Now that we are talking about “Bai Causeway”, we have to mention “Sudi Causeway”.
Spring Dawn on Su Causeway is also one of the famous scenic spots in Hangzhou. It was named in memory of Su Shi.
When spring comes, Sudi’s green willows are like smoke, red peaches are like mist, red and green are interspersed, and they are as brilliant as brocade.
The other is “Yang Gongdi”, a new internet celebrity in recent years.
It is the only drivable embankment among the three embankments in the West Lake, so it connects many beautiful scenery.
Especially in autumn, this place becomes an oil painting.
Dark yellow sycamores, crimson tallow trees, golden ginkgo, and tall metasequoias, all with their own distinctive colors, embellish the colorful autumn here.
Viewed from a high place, the various colors intertwined together seem to carry the four seasons, and it is breathtakingly beautiful.
A stream and a stream of smoke
I was watching Ge You’s “If You Are the One” and I was fascinated by the scenery in the play.
Later I learned that this fairy-like place is called “Xixi Wetland”.
It seems that all the green in the world is gathered here. The awning boat rowing on the stream also disturbs my mood.
There are many villages in the Wetland Park, with crisscrossing rivers and small stone bridges connecting the villages.
Qiujiadai, Zhoujiazhuang, Shenjiatang… each name reveals a poetic flavor.
The clearness of the hole is followed by the shallowness, and the bright mirror has no winter or spring.
A thousand feet is a tree, and a hundred feet is a scale.
In addition to West Lake, Hangzhou also hides Qiandao Lake, which is “the most beautiful water in the world”.
There are 1,078 large and small islands here, and the islands are distributed sparsely and densely, and are listed in an orderly manner.
It is surrounded by mountains, and there are a few egrets wandering around from time to time, adding a bit of interest.
Especially since the fog on the lake has not dissipated, the islands are looming, as if covered with a layer of white veil, which is particularly mysterious.
02
Why is Hangzhou so picturesque all year round?
Many cities are “seasonally limited”, but Hangzhou is not.
There seems to be no off-season or peak season here. You can encounter surprises every season.
spring
In early spring, when other places are still withering, the plum blossoms in Lingfeng Temple are already in full bloom.
The ancient temple is located in a valley surrounded by green mountains and lush trees. There are hundreds of plum blossoms inside and outside the temple. When they are all in full bloom, it will become a sea of fragrant snow.
Every spring, Hangzhou’s Prince Bay Park becomes a paradise of flowers.
Especially the cherry blossom forest next to the water.
Arch bridge, cherry blossoms and flowing water… together form a beautiful picture.
When the breeze blows, the petals slowly fall into the water and drift with the current, like an unfinished dream.
Quyuan Fenghe is one of the ten scenic spots in West Lake in Hangzhou. Many people come here for the lotus flowers in summer.
But spring here is more romantic than summer.
Although there are no lotus flowers with lotus leaves in the sky, the pink cherry blossoms are blooming like clouds, setting off the retro buildings, as if traveling back to ancient times.
summer
There are lush trees in Yunqiwu. In summer, the ancient temple in the mountains and the sound of chimes along the bamboo paths are unforgettable.
When it is hottest elsewhere, it is extremely cool here.
Meandering along the path, you will find a gurgling clear stream flowing down the path. The sweet and sweet bird sounds can be heard from the forest. The environment is quiet and cool, making you not want to leave.
Appreciating lotus flowers is a great pleasure in Hangzhou in the summer. In addition to the famous West Lake and Quyuan Lotus Breeze, the lotus flowers in Xiang Lake are also very beautiful.
There are not many people, so you can enjoy it quietly and carefully.
And you can also sit on a rowing boat and shuttle through the sea of flowers, just like you have arrived at the “secret base” of Fourth Master and Ruoxi in “Bu Bu Jing Xin”.
Hangzhou is famous for its Longjing tea, and Longwu Tea Town is the largest Longjing production area in West Lake.
It is surrounded by mountains and rolling tea gardens and mountains.
Walking in the tea town, you will be greeted by greenery, deep and shallow, and the faint fragrance of tea, which is intoxicating.
Lingyin Temple is located at the foothills of Lingyin Mountain between Feilai Peak and North Peak.
Two peaks confront each other, the trees stand tall and beautiful, and the ancient temple deep in the mountains is surrounded by clouds and smoke.
In summer, the sky is blocked out here, the yellow walls and green trees, coupled with the sound of Buddha coming from time to time, will calm your anxious mind.
Autumn
Autumn in Hangzhou begins with an osmanthus rain in Manjuelong.
Thousands of sweet-scented osmanthus trees are in full bloom, falling flowers are like rain, and the fragrance fills the empty mountain. It is so beautiful and wonderful.
Find a small shop to sit down in Manjuelong Village, drink a cup of osmanthus tea, eat a piece of osmanthus dessert, and watch the flowers bloom and fall outside the window…it’s so sweet to your heart.
There is a secret place hidden near the city of Hangzhou, which is the “Nine Streams and Eighteen Streams”.
In autumn, the mountains are covered with red maples that cover the sky and the sun, coupled with the undulating mountains and gurgling water, it instantly transforms into a fairy tale world.
In autumn, the ginkgo trees in Zhaohui Park gradually turn golden yellow.
When the wind blows, the ginkgo trees cover the earth with a golden carpet.
And in order to facilitate everyone to take pictures, the ginkgo leaves here will not be swept away during the best viewing hours. You can take pictures here as much as you like.
winter
Hangzhou in winter is different from what many people think.
It will also snow here and it will also be covered with snow.
When the entire city of Hangzhou was covered with snow, it instantly transformed into Lin’an.
Lingyin Temple after snow has a more Zen feel.
The yellow walls and white tiles, and the surrounding trees are also coated with a layer of white gauze, which is extremely beautiful.
The West Lake after the snow has the meaning of “thousands of birds have disappeared, and thousands of people have disappeared”.
Looking at the broken bridge covered with snow reminds people of the poignant love story in “The Legend of White Snake”, but it also adds a bit of artistic conception to the place.
In short, Hangzhou is beautiful all year round.
03
Why, Hangzhou is rich in culture, retro and leisurely?
Hangzhou, an ancient historical city, has a profound cultural heritage.
The “Liangzhu Culture” site can prove that humans have been thriving here thousands of years ago.
The Wuyue Kingdom during the Five Dynasties and the Southern Song Dynasty both established their capitals here.
Although it is developing rapidly now, Hangzhou people still enjoy life very much in their bones.
If you have nothing to do, go to Tangqi Ancient Town for a walk.
This place was born in response to the canal, with rivers crisscrossing it. You can choose to sit in a teahouse, walk in the alleys and walk across the city bridge, and experience the cultural heritage of this ancient town.
If you want to experience the most authentic “old Hangzhou” style, come and take a walk on Xiaohezhi Street.
The layout of one river and two streets, the bluestone floor, the carved wooden columns, lattice windows and wooden stairs on the house…
The strong local customs will make you linger.
If you want to be an artistic young man, go for a walk on Beishan Street.
There are lotus flowers in summer, golden sycamores in autumn, snow in winter, and willows and peach blossoms on the other side in spring. Every step you take is like walking in the middle of a painting.
If you like romance, you must go to Nanshan Road at night.
There are bright lights, fireworks, and the famous “Nanping Evening Bell” is also here.
04
Why, Hangzhou is delicious?
Hangzhou cuisine is the main component of Zhejiang cuisine, and many delicacies come from Hangzhou.
Unlike Sichuan cuisine and Hunan cuisine, “lightness” is a symbolic feature of Hangzhou cuisine.
Even several issues of A Bite of China have mentioned Hangzhou’s delicacies.
Dongpo Pork is a must-try.
The authentic Dongpo meat color is like agate. Pick up a piece and taste it. It is soft but not rotten, fat but not greasy.
West Lake Vinegar Fish is the representative of Zhejiang cuisine.
Take a bite and enter your mouth with a sweet and sour fragrance, soft and tender taste, with a crab flavor.
There is also the Longjing Shrimp that amazed Emperor Qianlong.
Katakawa, who became popular in “A Bite of China”.
In short, Hangzhou has countless delicious food.
And every dish is exquisite.
05
Why is Hangzhou so prosperous?
“The southeast is beautiful, the three Wu cities are there, and Qiantang has been prosperous since ancient times.”
Five thousand years of Liangzhu civilization, eight thousand years of Kuahuqiao culture, and the development and growth of Wuyue culture have finally made Hangzhou prosperous.
Artificial intelligence, virtual reality, life sciences, and countless future industries are booming.
New landmarks are rising one after another, letting the world see the speed of Hangzhou.
The city of Hangzhou is really magical.
In the eyes of different people, it has different charm.
Whether it’s the smoked willows on the West Lake’s painted bridges, or the water-covered houses on the canal;
Whether it’s Xixi’s seclusion in the city or the bustling lakeside;
Whether it’s the brilliant lights of Wulin or the vitality of Qianjiang New Town.
It is half full of poetry and classics, half full of prosperity and hustle and bustle.
But the two blend together perfectly and are not inconsistent at all.
This may be the reason why Hangzhou has a high happiness index. It is gentle and delicate, feasting, and has thousands of customs…
Who can not love such a city?
Therefore, it is really a pity to have the opportunity to stay in Hangzhou for a few more days because it is just a quick tour.
The flavor of this city is hidden in the plants and trees, in the bricks and tiles, and in the streets and alleys…
After savoring it carefully, you will understand why Bai Juyi wrote the sentence “I remember Jiangnan, the most memorable thing is Hangzhou” after leaving.
