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Beat a retreat from the summer heat
By Shi Xiaohan |
July 14, 2011, Thursday
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Print Edition
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HANGZHOU is known as one of the "furnaces" in China, so local residents have discovered lots of places to cool down and at the same time boost their long-exhausted summer appetites. A getaway into the mountain villages, a cruise on the cool river, or even a simple hike along the urban creeks can all make summer in Hangzhou more pleasant.
Hike along Nine Creeks and Eighteen Gullies
For those who do not want to leave the downtown area to chill out, the Nine Creeks and Eighteen Gullies, a famous attraction, is one of the most popular retreats from the summer heat. With nine small creeks connecting to each other, the temperature is at least five degrees lower than elsewhere in the area. And it is even cooler if you wade in the water or visit one of the tea houses nearby.
Walking upward from the lowest stream, you encounter fewer and fewer tourists, and the eateries at the top are also cooler and less crowded. When visiting there, don't forget to go to a tea house for a break. Sitting inside, you can enjoy authentic Longjing tea and the landscapes of the hills and creeks at the same time. The delicately scented tea and the pleasant scenery will take you miles away from the urban heat.
Admission: Free
How to get there:
Take a train from Shanghai to Hangzhou. Or drive via the G60 (Shanghai-Kunming) Expressway which takes about two hours. After arriving in Hangzhou, you can take the transit buses K4, K808 or K280 and get off at the Jiuxi stop to Nine Creeks and Eighteen Gullies.
Enter the dreamy mist on Xin'an River
Xin'an River, coming from Anhui Province, joins the Qiantang River at Jiande City and finally empties into Hangzhou Bay. The upstream section is pure and along the river are ancient villages and beautiful fields where hiking is very popular.
Xin'an River is thermostatic with its temperature varying between 12 to 17 degrees Celsius all year round as the water in the river is from the bottom of the Xin'an Reservoir. In summer, there is a huge gap between the temperatures of the water and the air above the river.
The temperature difference causes the formation of a mystical fog, sometimes as heavy as a sea of clouds, sometimes as light as silk.
The more rapidly the water flows, the more the fog assumes surreal shapes; the greater the temperature difference, the denser the fog.
As the natural conditions vary all the time, no one is able to predict accurately when and where the mist occurs.
Sometimes, it can only last for a very short while, say a few minutes, and when it disappears, it feels like being awoken from a dream world.
You can take a cruise from any port along the river and pass through the mysteriously misty fog during summer.
The cool breeze on the river and the beautiful accompanying scenery may make you forget how hot it really is.
Admission: 80 yuan
How to get there:
Two direct buses to Xin'an River are available everyday at Shanghai Long Distance Bus Station and Shanghai South Bus Station. A bus leaves Shanghai Long Distance Bus Station at 7:50am via Shanghai South Bus Station (8:45am) and arrives at Xin'an River at around 12am. Another bus leaves Shanghai Long Distance Bus Station at 1:50pm via Shanghai South Bus Station (2:45pm) and arrives at Xin'an River at around 6:30pm.
Escape in the mountain villages in Lin'an
Located in the west of Hangzhou, the forest city of Lin'an is regarded as the backyard of Hangzhou. Only a one-hour bus ride away from downtown Hangzhou, Lin'an is a popular destination for Hangzhou residents to evade the summer heat in the mountains.
Taihuyuan Resort area is one of the first stops on the way from Hangzhou. The resort, literally translated as the origin of the Taihu Lake, became famous after Chinese basketball star Yao Ming had his wedding photos taken there.
Among the leisure activities offered in Taihuyuan, rock climbing is the most popular and exciting as the resort has lots of vertical mountain cliffs to challenge brave climbers. The resort is also famous for its rich resources of herbs that can be used as medicines.
A market in front of the resort entrance sells these magical herbs that cure various health issues from long-lasting high blood pressure to the occasional headache.
Just within walking distance of the resort area is Baisha Village, where most of the local residents have renovated their homes into small inns for travelers. Simple but delicious rural-style dishes have become the local cuisine. Cooked with fresh vegetables and mountain water, the organic cuisine here is sure to boost your exhausted summer appetite.
Admission: 60 yuan (US$9)
How to get there:
Take a bullet train from Shanghai to Hangzhou, then get a taxi to the Huanglong Bus Station. Direct buses to Lin'an leave every half hour from 7am to 7pm for 10 yuan. After reaching Lin'an, hire a car for around 100 yuan for your summer getaway into the mountains.
Hike along Nine Creeks and Eighteen Gullies
For those who do not want to leave the downtown area to chill out, the Nine Creeks and Eighteen Gullies, a famous attraction, is one of the most popular retreats from the summer heat. With nine small creeks connecting to each other, the temperature is at least five degrees lower than elsewhere in the area. And it is even cooler if you wade in the water or visit one of the tea houses nearby.
Walking upward from the lowest stream, you encounter fewer and fewer tourists, and the eateries at the top are also cooler and less crowded. When visiting there, don't forget to go to a tea house for a break. Sitting inside, you can enjoy authentic Longjing tea and the landscapes of the hills and creeks at the same time. The delicately scented tea and the pleasant scenery will take you miles away from the urban heat.
Admission: Free
How to get there:
Take a train from Shanghai to Hangzhou. Or drive via the G60 (Shanghai-Kunming) Expressway which takes about two hours. After arriving in Hangzhou, you can take the transit buses K4, K808 or K280 and get off at the Jiuxi stop to Nine Creeks and Eighteen Gullies.
Enter the dreamy mist on Xin'an River
Xin'an River, coming from Anhui Province, joins the Qiantang River at Jiande City and finally empties into Hangzhou Bay. The upstream section is pure and along the river are ancient villages and beautiful fields where hiking is very popular.
Xin'an River is thermostatic with its temperature varying between 12 to 17 degrees Celsius all year round as the water in the river is from the bottom of the Xin'an Reservoir. In summer, there is a huge gap between the temperatures of the water and the air above the river.
The temperature difference causes the formation of a mystical fog, sometimes as heavy as a sea of clouds, sometimes as light as silk.
The more rapidly the water flows, the more the fog assumes surreal shapes; the greater the temperature difference, the denser the fog.
As the natural conditions vary all the time, no one is able to predict accurately when and where the mist occurs.
Sometimes, it can only last for a very short while, say a few minutes, and when it disappears, it feels like being awoken from a dream world.
You can take a cruise from any port along the river and pass through the mysteriously misty fog during summer.
The cool breeze on the river and the beautiful accompanying scenery may make you forget how hot it really is.
Admission: 80 yuan
How to get there:
Two direct buses to Xin'an River are available everyday at Shanghai Long Distance Bus Station and Shanghai South Bus Station. A bus leaves Shanghai Long Distance Bus Station at 7:50am via Shanghai South Bus Station (8:45am) and arrives at Xin'an River at around 12am. Another bus leaves Shanghai Long Distance Bus Station at 1:50pm via Shanghai South Bus Station (2:45pm) and arrives at Xin'an River at around 6:30pm.
Escape in the mountain villages in Lin'an
Located in the west of Hangzhou, the forest city of Lin'an is regarded as the backyard of Hangzhou. Only a one-hour bus ride away from downtown Hangzhou, Lin'an is a popular destination for Hangzhou residents to evade the summer heat in the mountains.
Taihuyuan Resort area is one of the first stops on the way from Hangzhou. The resort, literally translated as the origin of the Taihu Lake, became famous after Chinese basketball star Yao Ming had his wedding photos taken there.
Among the leisure activities offered in Taihuyuan, rock climbing is the most popular and exciting as the resort has lots of vertical mountain cliffs to challenge brave climbers. The resort is also famous for its rich resources of herbs that can be used as medicines.
A market in front of the resort entrance sells these magical herbs that cure various health issues from long-lasting high blood pressure to the occasional headache.
Just within walking distance of the resort area is Baisha Village, where most of the local residents have renovated their homes into small inns for travelers. Simple but delicious rural-style dishes have become the local cuisine. Cooked with fresh vegetables and mountain water, the organic cuisine here is sure to boost your exhausted summer appetite.
Admission: 60 yuan (US$9)
How to get there:
Take a bullet train from Shanghai to Hangzhou, then get a taxi to the Huanglong Bus Station. Direct buses to Lin'an leave every half hour from 7am to 7pm for 10 yuan. After reaching Lin'an, hire a car for around 100 yuan for your summer getaway into the mountains.
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