AS an ancient capital, Hangzhou has provided the backdrop to romantic legends famous throughout China. And as a leading tourism city, it offers beautiful scenery. To bring together these two attractions, the local government is holding the first Hangzhou International Love and Wedding Tourism Festival.

The four-month romantic event gets under way tomorrow on Qixi - the Chinese Valentine's Day.

The Love and Wedding Tourism Festival aims at establishing Hangzhou as China's "Love City" and creating a cluster of wedding-based services, including hairdressing, makeup, outfits, crafts, restaurants, hotels and scenic spots.

Activities planned include a large-scale blind dating fair, a group wedding, a wedding gown design competition and a photography contest.

It is sponsored by the Hangzhou Tourism Commission in association with leading German travel group TUI. This link-up will see a group of European newlyweds come to China in November to experience Chinese-style wedding celebrations.

The Hangzhou Tourism Commission is drawing up a list of scenic spots, hotels and restaurants for dating, wedding celebrations and honeymooning,

Selected by online voters, the list will be turned into a hand-drawn map, giving lovers a honeymoon and wedding guide in Hangzhou.

Wang Xinzhang, vice director of the Hangzhou Tourism Commission, says unlike usual wedding festivals, this event extends its range by including love and tourism.

Ironic in that it is what brings couples together, love is often neglected by standard wedding festivals, says Wang.

And Hangzhou's romantic heritage can help attract visitors from home and abroad, adds Wang.

Two ancient love legends make people think Hangzhou is the most romantic city in China - "The Butterfly Lovers" and "Madam White Snake."

"The Butterfly Lovers" - the Chinese equivalent of Romeo and Juliet - is a tragic story of lovers Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai in Eastern Jin Dynasty (AD 317-420). They met and fell in love while studying in Hangzhou.

Liang died heartbroken when he learned that Zhu was to marry another man. She grieved at his grave on the way to her wedding. The ground opened up and she threw herself in. The lovers' spirits were transformed into butterflies and they emerged and flew off together.

"Madam White Snake," set in Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), tells of the love between a young scholar and a thousand-year-old white snake which had taken the form of a beautiful woman. However, a monk intervened, saying it was against nature's laws for humans and spirits to fall in love. The snake was finally imprisoned for eternity in a well at Leifeng Pagoda.

In addition to romantic legends, Hangzhou also offers more everyday attractions that make it suitablefor holding a love and weddingtourism festival.

Wang says the city abounds with silk, which is the best material to make traditional wedding gowns. And West Lake, Thousand Islands Lake and Xixi Wetland are ideal places for wedding photographing and honeymoon.

The local government came up with the idea of "Love City" early in 2002. In 10 years of development, infrastructures and facilities were

upgraded, providing powerful support to hold the festival.



"I hope the Love and Wedding Tourism Festival can become a calling card of Hangzhou," says Wang.Darkness sheds new light on lake attractions Luo Hanlin

There is a common saying among visitors to West Lake in Hangzhou: "The lake is more beautiful on rainy days than on sunny days, and it is best after darkness has fallen."

And indeed, one of the best ways to appreciate West Lake is in the evening; whether on a boat trip; wandering Beishan Road; or just taking a seat in one of the bars on Nanshan Rd.

With temperatures often scorching during the day, evening sightseeing can be more comfortable and reveals a different charm of Hangzhou.

Compared to the bustle of daytime, the night lake is serene and delicate, with a romantic, warm vibe.

The first choice for many visitors to West Lake is a boat trip.

On the Song Dynasty (960-1279) royal-style boat Quanrao, passengers can sip green tea, listen to the music played on the traditional local instrument like

guzheng (Chinese plucked zither), bamboo flute and erhu (two-stringed bowed musical instrument) and be enchanted in the charming night view.

For something a little less sedate there are paddle boats. Although requiring a bit of stamina, these are very popular in many tourists - especially young people.

On dry land, many people choose to ride bikes around the lake, with tandems and standard bicycles available for rent. There are many rental points in the scenic spot.

The bars on Nanshan Road and the music fountain are also favorites with visitors in the evening. Strolling there feels like being in a European city, with lamps from bars casting light on the sidewalk.

Nighttime in Hangzhou offers something for everyone: whether noise or quiet, loud music and dancing or the wind whispering in the willows, all contribute to the beauty of West Lake after dark.

? By boats

Hours: From May to mid-October, Sunday-Thursday, 5pm-9pm; Friday-Saturday, 5pm-9:30pm

1. Visit around West lake: Bai Causeway - Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake - Su Causeway - Three Pools Mirroring the Moon - 5 mins stop - Listening Orioles Singing in the Willows - Hubin Park - back to the wharf Admission: 25 yuan (US$4), ticket booth at No. 2 Park dock

2. Quanrao royal boat: Admission: 90 yuan per person, including fruit hors-de'oeuvre, Longjing green tea or other drinks and music; ticket booth at No. 5 Park dock

3. Paddle boats: Admission: 80 yuan per hour rent for at least two hours; ticket booth at docking points along the lake

? On foot

Recommended route: Broken Bridge - Bai Causeway - Xiling Seal Society - Prince Bay Park - View Fish in the Flower Harbour - Su Causeway - Yanggong Causeway



? Music fountain

Hours: Monday-Friday, 7pm, 7:30pm, 8pm, 8:30pm; Saturday-Sunday, 7pm, 7:30pm, 8pm, 8:30pm, 9pm, 9:30pm