HANGZHOU offers many travel adventures and the city has launched 10 fascinating routes for visitors to the World Expo in nearby Shanghai. Shanghai Daily publishes one route a week on Mondays.

The World Expo theme "Better City, Better Life" means that life can be more pleasurable if a city provides a better environment.

Hangzhou is an example of a city that provides natural and cultural environments that enhance the lives of its residents.

Named the "happiest" city of China since 2004, Hangzhou's picturesque landscapes and compatible culture strike a nice blend.

West Lake is undoubtedly the city's biggest attraction.

There is no admission charge, making West Lake accessible to everyone at any time. This allows local people to enjoy the city's natural scenery while also boosting tourism at the same time.

Lingyin Temple

Lingyin Temple is a Buddhist temple in just northwest of Hangzhou. The temple's name is literally translated as Temple of the Soul's Retreat. It is one of the largest Buddhist temples in China, and contains numerous pagodas and Buddhist grottoes.

The presence of a temple in the area can be traced back to the Eastern Jin Dynasty (AD 317-420) when an Indian monk, Huili, came to the area. He was inspired by the spiritual nature of the scenery here.

He figured the immortals had to live here and he named the temple Ling Yin as the site is both quiet and beautiful, encouraging a peaceful feeling.

The monastery features a large number of grottoes and religious rock carvings, the most famous of which is Feilai Peak (the peak that flew hither), located in front of the main temple.

The peak is so-named because it is made of limestone, giving it a craggy appearance very different from the surrounding mountains. Legend holds that the peak was originally from India, but flew to Hangzhou overnight as a demonstration of the omnipotence of Buddhist law.

A large number of carvings dot the surface of the peak.

More carvings can be found in various caves and grottoes around the mountain. Within the main cave, dedicated to the Bodhisattva Guanyin, there is a crack in the ceiling that stretches to the surface. If you stand in the right position, a sliver of sunlight is visible. This is known as the Yixiantian (one thread of heaven).

Address: 1 Linyin Rd

Transport: Buses No. 7, 807, 837 to Lingyin stop

Leifeng Pagoda

Leifeng Pagoda is a five-story tower with eight sides and is on Sunset Hill south of West Lake. Originally constructed in AD 975, it collapsed in 1924 but was rebuilt in 2002.

The pagoda became a household name in China thanks to the popular folk tale "Legend of the White Snake," a touching love story of a young scholar who falls in love with a beautiful woman, unaware that she is a white snake who has taken on human form. The story has been repeatedly adapted for traditional operas and also for modern movies and TV series.

During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Japanese pirates attacked Hangzhou. Suspecting the pagoda contained weapons, they burned its wooden elements, leaving only the brick skeleton, as can be seen from Ming Dynasty paintings of West Lake.

Some superstitious people often stole bricks from the pagoda thinking the brick powder could cure all diseases. In August 1924, the pagoda collapsed.

On March 11, 2001, archaeologists excavated a mausoleum at the pagoda site. Many treasures were found.

In October 1999, a special committee was organized to study academic papers and correlated materials to prepare the pagoda's reconstruction. After careful study, the committee chose to set up a steel structure similar to the old tower at the original site. The new pagoda is inlaid with brick and upturned eaves.

Construction was completed in October 2002. The new tower contains four sightseeing elevators, and modern features include air conditioners, televisions and speakers.

Address: 15 Nanshan Rd

Transport: Buses No. 504, 808, 822, 4, J5, Y9,Y7,Y6,Y3 to Jingsi stop

West Lake

Embraced by hilly peaks on three sides, West Lake has been an attraction for centuries.

A poem about the lake goes like this: "Rippling water shimmering on a sunny day, misty mountains shrouded in rain; plain or gaily dressed like Xizi; West Lake is always alluring."

The lines were written by the famous Song Dynasty (960-1279) poet Su Shi. In the poem he compares West Lake to Xi Shi (Xizi), one of the "Four Beauties" in ancient China.

Traditionally, the "Ten Scenes of West Lake" were known as the best scenic spots. They are: Spring Dawn at Su Causeway, Lotuses in the Breeze at the Crooked Courtyard, Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake, Melting Snow at Broken Bridge, Sunset Glow at Leifeng Pagoda, Twin Peaks Piercing Clouds, Orioles Singing in the Willows, Viewing Fish at Flower Harbor, Three Pools Mirroring the Moon and Evening Bell at Nanping Hill.

In 1984, five organizations including Hangzhou Daily newspaper sponsored a vote for the "New 10 Scenes at West Lake."

Xixi Wetland

Xixi National Wetland Park is one of the first national wetland parks in China. The park covers 10.64 square kilometers in western Hangzhou.

Six main watercourses crisscross the park, many with branching streams and fishponds that together form the unique wetland scenery of Xixi.

Xixi's importance lies in the ecological resources. Three ecological protection areas - Feijia Pool, Xialong Beach and Chaotianmu Lake - were set up inside the wetland.

Xixi attracts more than 80 species of birds. As such, the wetland park features many bird-viewing platforms.

The wetland has a history of more than 1,800 years.

Its abundant waters have long provided ideal conditions for dragon boat races.

The 2010 Hangzhou Xixi Wetland Dragon Boat Cultural Festival started last week and lured 65,000 visitors. The final races were held last Wednesday, Dragon Boat Festival. More than 40 dragon boat teams battled for supremacy.

Address: 518 Tianmushan Rd

Transport: Buses No. 356, 310, 193, 506, Y13 to Zhoujiacun stop