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Find a place to cool off on hot summer days
By Xu Wenwen |
July 25, 2013, Thursday
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Print Edition
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IT'S shaping up as one of the hottest weeks of the year in Shanghai and Hangzhou, as high temperatures linger in the neighborhood of 39 degrees Celsius. But the heat provides a good reason to search for cooler spots that also offer good food.
Shanghai Daily takes a look at four places to cool down in Hangzhou and the good eateries and restaurants nearby.
Bamboo Lined Path at Yunqi
Straight, smooth and slim stands of bamboo look refreshing and also lower air temperature by providing shade from the sun.
The Bamboo Lined Path at Yunqi is traditionally known as a "cool and wet" summer retreat because of its location - it stands between the West Lake and the Qiantang River, and lies at the feet of Wuyun Mountain.
Abundant bamboo there generates much moisture, which turns into fog that lingers among the bamboo. When the air pressure drops, the fog turns into a mist and that is said to be the best time to go.
Visiting is simple: Follow a stone path winding in the Wuyun Mountain with abundant plant life and a limpid stream that flows down the mountain. Old pavilions and huge trees dot the area.
Nearby restaurants and eateries: Several tea houses run by local tea planters are located around the site, providing authentic local cuisine and Hangzhou tea.
Zilai Cave
This is one of the coldest places in Hangzhou during the summer - it's 20 degrees Celsius at the entrance of the cave, about half the urban area's high temperature.
Temperatures in the innermost area of the cave drop to 10 degrees, so bring a coat.
The cave is situated in the middle of Yuhuang Mountain. It's not a natural cave but was excavated during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) by priests from a nearby Taoist temple as a summer retreat and a place to practice spirituality.
Nearby restaurants and eateries: Lots of tea houses and restaurants run by residents living nearby are at the foot of Yuhuang Mountain, providing local cuisine and teas. There are also many youth hostels. Recommendations include Mandolin Restaurant/Hostel, which makes fusion cuisine; Nanshan House, which makes Hangzhou cuisine; Fleur de Lis, which makes European food, and Meilin Town Restaurant, which makes fusion foods.
Nine Creeks and Eighteen Gullies
A place considered to be one of the most beautiful attractions of the West Lake, and also a wonderful summer retreat, is Nine Creeks and Eighteen Gullies.
With its origin in the mountains west of the West Lake, Nine Creeks and Eighteen Gullies is actually one stream, but got its name from the tributaries that flow into it. (While dozens of gullies flow into the stream, 18 is used in Chinese culture to denote a large number.)
The location also is a favorite for hikers, who can take a day trip to discover its old pavilions, lush vegetation and hills before reaching Longjing Town.
Nearby restaurants and eateries: There are several outdoor BBQ restaurants and tea houses run by locals. Large restaurant include Roots Resort, which makes organic vegetarian food, including some grown at the resort, and Xiangzhang Kitchen, which offers hotpot dishes and the spicy cuisine of Jiande, a city west of Hangzhou.
Baoshi Hill
Baoshi Hill can be hot during the day, yet it's a great place for walking after sunset.
It's an easy hike on the hill and takes about half an hour to reach the top, where visitors can enjoy a wonderful evening view of the West Lake and the sparkling lights of Hangzhou.
Lights illuminate the path from 7pm to 10:30pm on weekends, and the Baochu Pagoda, about half-way on the path, is lit from 7pm to 9:30pm every day.
Nearby restaurants and eateries: Right below the Baochu Pagoda is Innocent Age Book Bar, which offers a reading collection of 7,000 Chinese and English-language editions as well as tea, coffee and food. There are many restaurants near the lanes and roads at the foot of the hill, and recommendations include Yong's Restaurant, which makes Hangzhou cuisine and fusion foods, and Angelo's Italian and American Restaurant.
Shanghai Daily takes a look at four places to cool down in Hangzhou and the good eateries and restaurants nearby.
Bamboo Lined Path at Yunqi
Straight, smooth and slim stands of bamboo look refreshing and also lower air temperature by providing shade from the sun.
The Bamboo Lined Path at Yunqi is traditionally known as a "cool and wet" summer retreat because of its location - it stands between the West Lake and the Qiantang River, and lies at the feet of Wuyun Mountain.
Abundant bamboo there generates much moisture, which turns into fog that lingers among the bamboo. When the air pressure drops, the fog turns into a mist and that is said to be the best time to go.
Visiting is simple: Follow a stone path winding in the Wuyun Mountain with abundant plant life and a limpid stream that flows down the mountain. Old pavilions and huge trees dot the area.
Nearby restaurants and eateries: Several tea houses run by local tea planters are located around the site, providing authentic local cuisine and Hangzhou tea.
Zilai Cave
This is one of the coldest places in Hangzhou during the summer - it's 20 degrees Celsius at the entrance of the cave, about half the urban area's high temperature.
Temperatures in the innermost area of the cave drop to 10 degrees, so bring a coat.
The cave is situated in the middle of Yuhuang Mountain. It's not a natural cave but was excavated during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) by priests from a nearby Taoist temple as a summer retreat and a place to practice spirituality.
Nearby restaurants and eateries: Lots of tea houses and restaurants run by residents living nearby are at the foot of Yuhuang Mountain, providing local cuisine and teas. There are also many youth hostels. Recommendations include Mandolin Restaurant/Hostel, which makes fusion cuisine; Nanshan House, which makes Hangzhou cuisine; Fleur de Lis, which makes European food, and Meilin Town Restaurant, which makes fusion foods.
Nine Creeks and Eighteen Gullies
A place considered to be one of the most beautiful attractions of the West Lake, and also a wonderful summer retreat, is Nine Creeks and Eighteen Gullies.
With its origin in the mountains west of the West Lake, Nine Creeks and Eighteen Gullies is actually one stream, but got its name from the tributaries that flow into it. (While dozens of gullies flow into the stream, 18 is used in Chinese culture to denote a large number.)
The location also is a favorite for hikers, who can take a day trip to discover its old pavilions, lush vegetation and hills before reaching Longjing Town.
Nearby restaurants and eateries: There are several outdoor BBQ restaurants and tea houses run by locals. Large restaurant include Roots Resort, which makes organic vegetarian food, including some grown at the resort, and Xiangzhang Kitchen, which offers hotpot dishes and the spicy cuisine of Jiande, a city west of Hangzhou.
Baoshi Hill
Baoshi Hill can be hot during the day, yet it's a great place for walking after sunset.
It's an easy hike on the hill and takes about half an hour to reach the top, where visitors can enjoy a wonderful evening view of the West Lake and the sparkling lights of Hangzhou.
Lights illuminate the path from 7pm to 10:30pm on weekends, and the Baochu Pagoda, about half-way on the path, is lit from 7pm to 9:30pm every day.
Nearby restaurants and eateries: Right below the Baochu Pagoda is Innocent Age Book Bar, which offers a reading collection of 7,000 Chinese and English-language editions as well as tea, coffee and food. There are many restaurants near the lanes and roads at the foot of the hill, and recommendations include Yong's Restaurant, which makes Hangzhou cuisine and fusion foods, and Angelo's Italian and American Restaurant.
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