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Get a taste of urban organic living
By Shi Xiaohan |
June 22, 2011, Wednesday
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HANGZHOU is famous for its refreshing scenery, however, it is also a great place to find fresh food and experience an organic lifestyle. With rising concerns about food safety, places offering organic food and lifestyle are gaining more popularity than ever.
Secretly nestled between Leifeng Pagoda and Su Causeway, a fishing stand established in 2007 is no longer able to keep its originally low-key status.
"Customers start to line up for fresh fish from 1am in the morning, right when we finish fishing," said Ge Chuan, the owner of the West Lake Fishing Stand.
The stand, which only used to provide fresh fish for some restaurants and markets, is now more popular with local residents. "Some of the older people stop by for fresh fish during their morning exercise as early as 5am," Ge said.
In summer, the fishing team begins work at around 9pm and finish catching 200 kilograms of fish and shrimp around 1am. In the past, they were able to keep their catch for several hours before starting to sell it at 8am. However, in recent times it has been typical for them to sell out of everything by as early as 8am.
The fishing team uses boats powered by electric instead of gasoline in an attempt to avoid pollution of the lake.
"Fish and shrimp from the West Lake are more delicious as they grow up naturally and are healthier," said Ge. "Those who get used to eating West Lake fish cannot go back to eating other kinds of fish."
For those who want to farm and fish for fresh food themselves in the city, Eight Diagram (Bagua) Field is the best choice. Surrounded by mountains and pools, the field is a scenic spot as well as a farming heaven.
Located right near the West Lake, the 10-hectare octagon field was originally the private field of the Southern Song (1127-1279) emperor. It is said the emperor used to farm on the field himself to set an example to his fellow countrymen.
Farming heaven
In 2007, the capital of Zhejiang Province rescued the land from decades of industrial pollution and waste, scattered non-ecological farms and encroaching wilderness.
The huge octagon in the famed Eight Diagrams shape has been recreated in its original spot, and is again surrounded by water. The familiar Eight Diagram design, with yin and yang in the center, is a representation of Chinese wisdom about the cosmos and the harmonious workings of nature.
The eight-sectioned field mainly grows eight crops, from peppers to beans. In the center, tea is grown. Of course, everything is organic.
From last year, the administration office opened parts of the field for citizens to plant their own vegetables. Even for those who do not farm on the field themselves, there are always freshly harvested vegetables on sale each morning.
As the field is also a scenic spot, maintaining its good appearance is fairly important. Therefore, only sunflower and pumpkins were allowed to be planted. However, 150 families this spring were still attracted to acquire an area of about 8 square meters each to plant their own fresh produce.
"There is no pesticide used on the field," said Zhang Hong, a gardener in the field, "so the harvest of the field is less, but the quality is much higher."
For a family, the harvest is enough to make their efforts rewarding. "We often stop by to check how the vegetables are turning out," said Li Yinjuan, a mother with her three-year-old toddler walking in the field. "Watching what we planted growing is like watching your baby growing up."
Apart from its prime location, the Eight Diagram Field is not the only place where one can have a taste of urban organic living.
Located near the Six Harmony Pagoda along the Qiantang River, a mysterious area was recently discovered and developed into a holiday resort. The Daqing Valley, with its famed beauty dating back to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), offers both rustic tranquility and modern excitement.
Various activities from barbecues, horse riding and tea-roasting to the more extreme pursuits of bungee jumping and water biking are available in the area. More possibilities remain to be explored and discovered.
Secretly nestled between Leifeng Pagoda and Su Causeway, a fishing stand established in 2007 is no longer able to keep its originally low-key status.
"Customers start to line up for fresh fish from 1am in the morning, right when we finish fishing," said Ge Chuan, the owner of the West Lake Fishing Stand.
The stand, which only used to provide fresh fish for some restaurants and markets, is now more popular with local residents. "Some of the older people stop by for fresh fish during their morning exercise as early as 5am," Ge said.
In summer, the fishing team begins work at around 9pm and finish catching 200 kilograms of fish and shrimp around 1am. In the past, they were able to keep their catch for several hours before starting to sell it at 8am. However, in recent times it has been typical for them to sell out of everything by as early as 8am.
The fishing team uses boats powered by electric instead of gasoline in an attempt to avoid pollution of the lake.
"Fish and shrimp from the West Lake are more delicious as they grow up naturally and are healthier," said Ge. "Those who get used to eating West Lake fish cannot go back to eating other kinds of fish."
For those who want to farm and fish for fresh food themselves in the city, Eight Diagram (Bagua) Field is the best choice. Surrounded by mountains and pools, the field is a scenic spot as well as a farming heaven.
Located right near the West Lake, the 10-hectare octagon field was originally the private field of the Southern Song (1127-1279) emperor. It is said the emperor used to farm on the field himself to set an example to his fellow countrymen.
Farming heaven
In 2007, the capital of Zhejiang Province rescued the land from decades of industrial pollution and waste, scattered non-ecological farms and encroaching wilderness.
The huge octagon in the famed Eight Diagrams shape has been recreated in its original spot, and is again surrounded by water. The familiar Eight Diagram design, with yin and yang in the center, is a representation of Chinese wisdom about the cosmos and the harmonious workings of nature.
The eight-sectioned field mainly grows eight crops, from peppers to beans. In the center, tea is grown. Of course, everything is organic.
From last year, the administration office opened parts of the field for citizens to plant their own vegetables. Even for those who do not farm on the field themselves, there are always freshly harvested vegetables on sale each morning.
As the field is also a scenic spot, maintaining its good appearance is fairly important. Therefore, only sunflower and pumpkins were allowed to be planted. However, 150 families this spring were still attracted to acquire an area of about 8 square meters each to plant their own fresh produce.
"There is no pesticide used on the field," said Zhang Hong, a gardener in the field, "so the harvest of the field is less, but the quality is much higher."
For a family, the harvest is enough to make their efforts rewarding. "We often stop by to check how the vegetables are turning out," said Li Yinjuan, a mother with her three-year-old toddler walking in the field. "Watching what we planted growing is like watching your baby growing up."
Apart from its prime location, the Eight Diagram Field is not the only place where one can have a taste of urban organic living.
Located near the Six Harmony Pagoda along the Qiantang River, a mysterious area was recently discovered and developed into a holiday resort. The Daqing Valley, with its famed beauty dating back to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), offers both rustic tranquility and modern excitement.
Various activities from barbecues, horse riding and tea-roasting to the more extreme pursuits of bungee jumping and water biking are available in the area. More possibilities remain to be explored and discovered.
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