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Avoiding the holiday crowds
By Shi Xiaohan |
September 29, 2011, Thursday
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AS one of the most popular tourist destinations in China, it is almost certain that Hangzhou will be flooded with travelers during the weeklong National Day holiday, which starts on Saturday. However, that doesn't mean one can not enjoy a trip to the leisurely city.
Shanghai Daily provides some tips on how to avoid the crowds while still enjoying the most popular sights and activities in Hangzhou.
Shopping at Imperial Street
Shopping areas are always at their busiest during holidays. As Hangzhou's major shopping streets, Wulin Square and Yan'an Road are filled with brands and eateries. However, at the southern end of Yan'an Road, a relatively quiet shopping street features traditional snacks and goodies.
The Southern Song Imperial Street on Zhongshan Road was once the axis of the empire capital. Though there are not many luxury brands, the old street is filled with boutique stores that focus on items such as hand-made utensils, essence oil soaps, stationary, silk and clothing by local designers. Even if you do not buy anything, the street is a nice place to catch a glimpse of how locals live.
At the southern end of Imperial Street, the recently opened China Gourmet Garden provides a haven for foodies.
Chinese cuisine including spicy dishes from the southwest, seafood from the southeast and barbecue items from the northwest can all be found here.
But before tucking into the delicious food, visitors might first notice the distinct street style that unifies all the two-story restaurants. Cascade windows are decorated with wooden grids and small courtyards built between the buildings are all connected by a lively creek.
Qiaoxi Block
Near Wu Mountain is the city's busiest historical street, Qinghefang Old Street. However, go to Qiaoxi historical area as far fewer tourists come here. A ferry along the scenic Grand Canal can take you from the city center to the historical area. The block is home to traditional buildings, museums and time-honored stores and is truly a historical wonderland.
Qiaoxi Block was originally an industrial area built in 1631. The block represents the history of local industry.
In the area, Xiaohezhi Street reflects the style of the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties and is the only spot in the old area of Hangzhou that is reminiscent of the historical style of the ancient city.
Two-story houses with black eaves and white walls sit along the street, along with a bank branch and shops making and selling wine, cotton goods and food. On holidays, you can see some folk artists knitting or cutting paper. Tai Chi Teahouse, a famous local teahouse where waiters dressed in traditional Qing Dynasty costumes use a long nozzle to pour tea, has rented four buildings on Xiaohezhi Street.
The area also features museums of local art and industry as well as time-honored stores. Opposite to the China Art and Crafts Museum lies a traditional Chinese medicine theme block. Traditional brands like Fang Huichun and Tian Lu and a TCM hospital have already expanded to the historical block.
Views of West Lake
West Lake is a sight everyone wants to see, whether they are visiting for the first time or the 30th. The lake area will be crowded during the holiday. However, you do not have to join the crowds to see it.
Head to Chenghuang Pavilion, or City God Pavilion, at the top of Wu Mountain. It is said that West Lake is for tourists, but Wu Mountain is for locals as it offers the best view of the famous lake.
On the third-floor terrace, one can enjoy a panoramic view of the lake as well as the whole city. The pavilion is open until 10pm so it's worth checking out for sunset and night views. It is the best place to enjoy a view of the lake while sipping tea and enjoying a fresh mountain breeze.
The pavilion's first two floors feature relief paintings recalling Hangzhou's time as the ancient capital city of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279). Some of the paintings depict what West Lake looked like in the past. The wooden relief paintings on the first floor introduce old Hangzhou customs such as the tea ceremony and the royal dragon boat race.
Shanghai Daily provides some tips on how to avoid the crowds while still enjoying the most popular sights and activities in Hangzhou.
Shopping at Imperial Street
Shopping areas are always at their busiest during holidays. As Hangzhou's major shopping streets, Wulin Square and Yan'an Road are filled with brands and eateries. However, at the southern end of Yan'an Road, a relatively quiet shopping street features traditional snacks and goodies.
The Southern Song Imperial Street on Zhongshan Road was once the axis of the empire capital. Though there are not many luxury brands, the old street is filled with boutique stores that focus on items such as hand-made utensils, essence oil soaps, stationary, silk and clothing by local designers. Even if you do not buy anything, the street is a nice place to catch a glimpse of how locals live.
At the southern end of Imperial Street, the recently opened China Gourmet Garden provides a haven for foodies.
Chinese cuisine including spicy dishes from the southwest, seafood from the southeast and barbecue items from the northwest can all be found here.
But before tucking into the delicious food, visitors might first notice the distinct street style that unifies all the two-story restaurants. Cascade windows are decorated with wooden grids and small courtyards built between the buildings are all connected by a lively creek.
Qiaoxi Block
Near Wu Mountain is the city's busiest historical street, Qinghefang Old Street. However, go to Qiaoxi historical area as far fewer tourists come here. A ferry along the scenic Grand Canal can take you from the city center to the historical area. The block is home to traditional buildings, museums and time-honored stores and is truly a historical wonderland.
Qiaoxi Block was originally an industrial area built in 1631. The block represents the history of local industry.
In the area, Xiaohezhi Street reflects the style of the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties and is the only spot in the old area of Hangzhou that is reminiscent of the historical style of the ancient city.
Two-story houses with black eaves and white walls sit along the street, along with a bank branch and shops making and selling wine, cotton goods and food. On holidays, you can see some folk artists knitting or cutting paper. Tai Chi Teahouse, a famous local teahouse where waiters dressed in traditional Qing Dynasty costumes use a long nozzle to pour tea, has rented four buildings on Xiaohezhi Street.
The area also features museums of local art and industry as well as time-honored stores. Opposite to the China Art and Crafts Museum lies a traditional Chinese medicine theme block. Traditional brands like Fang Huichun and Tian Lu and a TCM hospital have already expanded to the historical block.
Views of West Lake
West Lake is a sight everyone wants to see, whether they are visiting for the first time or the 30th. The lake area will be crowded during the holiday. However, you do not have to join the crowds to see it.
Head to Chenghuang Pavilion, or City God Pavilion, at the top of Wu Mountain. It is said that West Lake is for tourists, but Wu Mountain is for locals as it offers the best view of the famous lake.
On the third-floor terrace, one can enjoy a panoramic view of the lake as well as the whole city. The pavilion is open until 10pm so it's worth checking out for sunset and night views. It is the best place to enjoy a view of the lake while sipping tea and enjoying a fresh mountain breeze.
The pavilion's first two floors feature relief paintings recalling Hangzhou's time as the ancient capital city of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279). Some of the paintings depict what West Lake looked like in the past. The wooden relief paintings on the first floor introduce old Hangzhou customs such as the tea ceremony and the royal dragon boat race.
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