Watch the Games in Beijing then relax in Hangzhou

The largest group of tourism executives from Hangzhou was in Australia last week on a two-city promotional mission to encourage travel wholesalers and tour operators to produce post Olympic 2008 packages that include the famed cultural city, one of the “Eight Ancient Capitals” of China.

[Pictured: Roger Shu (left) with Zhou Zhiping at the Sydney promotion]

Led by Zhou Zhiping, Director General, Hangzhou Tourism Commission, the 17 member delegation which includes hoteliers, representatives from scenic and historic areas and executives from the Hangzhou Tourism Commission gave a detailed presentation on Hangzhou last week in Sydney. 

Roger Shu, Hangzhou Tourism Promotion Centre, Hangzhou Tourism Commission, said that the opening of the new highway linking Hangzhou to Huangshan, 300 km away, would allow wholesalers to develop an innovative “Golden Itinerary” incorporating three diverse destinations.

[Pictured below: Beautiful mountain scenery is just beyond Hangzhou.]

Shanghai, 150 km north of Hangzhou and an easy gateway for Australians, is connected to Hangzhou by road, rail and air.  This mega city which shows its nostalgic past alongside it prosperous present is studded with sightseeing gems from The Bund to Yu Yuen Garden.

Promoting its 8000 year old cultural heritage, Hangzhou is famous for its scenic areas, most notably, the mountain back dropped West Lake.  The city also has strong links with tea and silk.

[Pictured right: The majestic West Lake is a leading attraction of Hangzhou.]

Huangshan, a mountainous World Nature Heritage area south of Hangzhou often known as Yellow Mountain, is dotted with traditional Chinese villages like Zidi. 

An inspiration for painters and photographers, the area is great for hiking and is endowed with hot springs.

[Pictured left: Traditional villages in Huangshan offer unique cultural performances.]

Hangzhou, the 6 ½ million population capital of Zhejiang Province is at the southern end of the Grand Canal.  (The northern terminus is near Beijing.)

Tourism officials have recently applied for this ancient waterway to be placed on the World Heritage List, said Mr Shu.

[Pictured below: Cruising the Grand Canal is another lure of Hangzhou.]

A short cruise or an overnight journey on the 1800 km canal is a major reason for a visit to Hangzhou.  Last year, the city recorded over 1.8 million foreign visitors.  About 20,000 came from Australia, he said.

Hangzhou is the only city in the country with a tea museum.  (The city has 700 teahouses.)  Hangzhou is also the only city in the country to operate an “Experience Feel China” tour programme.

Designed so that visitors can learn more about Chinese culture by visiting schools, agricultural markets, clinics and acupuncture centres, the programme has not yet been incorporated into any holiday packages out of Australia, said Mr Shu.

A new cultural performance has, however, attracted widespread interest.  First presented earlier this year, Impression West Lake is a spectacle of light, dance and music set on a massive stage with West Lake. 

The main composer for the music heard in Impression West Lake is the famed Japanese musician, Kitaro.  See www.hzyxxh.com

Enquiries about Hangzhou can be directed to the China National Tourist Office, [email protected]

Destination images courtesy of Hangzhou Tourism Commission.

Exclusive Report by Thomas E. King, TravelMole’s Travel and Lifestyle Editor