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Resorting to Hangzhou for peace and quiet
By Yao Minji |
July 15, 2009, Wednesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
EVERYONE needs to escape the Shanghai pressure-cooker, even just for a weekend, preferably a long weekend, preferably even longer to recharge their batteries.
Hangzhou is ideal, just two hours' drive away. You can avoid the West Lake crowds and head for the mountains, lakes, temples and tea gardens, steeping yourself in nature.
But don't worry, there's nearby entertainment and high-speed Internet connection.
Dozens of resorts cater for all kinds of escapes.
Shanghai Daily has selected a few, each with its own specialty. There's a moon tide resort, a healthcare resort and a retreat in a traditional Chinese garden.
Hangzhou Rose Garden Resort
WHILE the West Lake is Hangzhou's international calling card, Qiantang River is especially favored by Chinese tourists who come to watch the magnificent tides on the Hangzhou Bay.
It's a tradition during the Mid-Autumn Festival on the lunar calendar, on the 15th day of August.
The Qiantang River, the biggest in Zhejiang Province, flows from the west and empties into the bay.
The river and bay are said to have the world's largest tidal bore, a wave caused by the funneling of a flood tide as it enters a narrow, shallow inlet. It's up to nine meters high and travels up to 40 kilometers per hour.
The atmosphere is far different from that on the crowded West Lake.
Resort designers retained the traditional essence of the West Lake, with modern bars, tea houses and restaurants merged and built into a traditional Chinese garden along the water.
Old-style dragon boats and modern motor boats take tourists on a quiet and romantic tour. Free bicycles are provided.
The Qiantang River flows through Hangzhou, and part of the bund has been renovated. One bank is filled with residential high rises with glass walls and balconies.
This part of Hangzhou, the Zhejiang Road, meaning the road near the river, feels more like Los Angeles.
Fortunately, we leave that behind and enter another calmer world as we drive on and start to see mountains. There are fewer houses and fewer crowds.
The resort is small and beckoning. There's a beautiful swimming pool, and grounds are planted with tropical flora and coconut palms. It feels like a mini Bali or Maldives resort on the ocean.
The spa is a highlight and is built like those in Bali. Each room is named after one of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals and has outdoor spa access.
The outdoor spa bed is placed on a wooden platform in an artificial pool. You can get a massage and feel that you're on an island.
Address: 128 Zhejiang Rd
Tel: (0571) 8766-7188
Hangzhou Santai Villa
THIS is a more traditional and local venue featuring healthcare services. It's affiliated with the Zhejiang Provincial General Trade Union Sanitarium.
It is a tradition for local companies to hold retreats for management in villas where they are surrounded by nature.
Santai Villa opened in 2002 and was completely renovated in 2005 when more advanced medical equipment was installed.
Located in the famous Santai Mountain, the villa features rehabilitation, recuperation and physical examination for those who are stressed out.
It uses advanced equipment for comprehensive check-ups, including the latest nano technology, colored ultrasonic wave B, bio-chemical equipment and 12-passage electrocardiograph.
Address: 200 Santaishan Rd
Tel: (0571) 8797-5888
Haihua Hotel
FOR those interested in traditional Chinese gardens, Haihua Hotel is a great pick.
Just steps away from the West Lake, the villa contains dozens of old-style houses inside a traditional Chinese garden. Nearly 80 percent of the space is greenery.
The vacation houses, most with a living room and a kitchen, are ideal for those seeking a quiet, homey retreat.
Address: 2 Manjuelong Rd
Tel: (0571) 2897-8899
Hangzhou is ideal, just two hours' drive away. You can avoid the West Lake crowds and head for the mountains, lakes, temples and tea gardens, steeping yourself in nature.
But don't worry, there's nearby entertainment and high-speed Internet connection.
Dozens of resorts cater for all kinds of escapes.
Shanghai Daily has selected a few, each with its own specialty. There's a moon tide resort, a healthcare resort and a retreat in a traditional Chinese garden.
Hangzhou Rose Garden Resort
WHILE the West Lake is Hangzhou's international calling card, Qiantang River is especially favored by Chinese tourists who come to watch the magnificent tides on the Hangzhou Bay.
It's a tradition during the Mid-Autumn Festival on the lunar calendar, on the 15th day of August.
The Qiantang River, the biggest in Zhejiang Province, flows from the west and empties into the bay.
The river and bay are said to have the world's largest tidal bore, a wave caused by the funneling of a flood tide as it enters a narrow, shallow inlet. It's up to nine meters high and travels up to 40 kilometers per hour.
The atmosphere is far different from that on the crowded West Lake.
Resort designers retained the traditional essence of the West Lake, with modern bars, tea houses and restaurants merged and built into a traditional Chinese garden along the water.
Old-style dragon boats and modern motor boats take tourists on a quiet and romantic tour. Free bicycles are provided.
The Qiantang River flows through Hangzhou, and part of the bund has been renovated. One bank is filled with residential high rises with glass walls and balconies.
This part of Hangzhou, the Zhejiang Road, meaning the road near the river, feels more like Los Angeles.
Fortunately, we leave that behind and enter another calmer world as we drive on and start to see mountains. There are fewer houses and fewer crowds.
The resort is small and beckoning. There's a beautiful swimming pool, and grounds are planted with tropical flora and coconut palms. It feels like a mini Bali or Maldives resort on the ocean.
The spa is a highlight and is built like those in Bali. Each room is named after one of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals and has outdoor spa access.
The outdoor spa bed is placed on a wooden platform in an artificial pool. You can get a massage and feel that you're on an island.
Address: 128 Zhejiang Rd
Tel: (0571) 8766-7188
Hangzhou Santai Villa
THIS is a more traditional and local venue featuring healthcare services. It's affiliated with the Zhejiang Provincial General Trade Union Sanitarium.
It is a tradition for local companies to hold retreats for management in villas where they are surrounded by nature.
Santai Villa opened in 2002 and was completely renovated in 2005 when more advanced medical equipment was installed.
Located in the famous Santai Mountain, the villa features rehabilitation, recuperation and physical examination for those who are stressed out.
It uses advanced equipment for comprehensive check-ups, including the latest nano technology, colored ultrasonic wave B, bio-chemical equipment and 12-passage electrocardiograph.
Address: 200 Santaishan Rd
Tel: (0571) 8797-5888
Haihua Hotel
FOR those interested in traditional Chinese gardens, Haihua Hotel is a great pick.
Just steps away from the West Lake, the villa contains dozens of old-style houses inside a traditional Chinese garden. Nearly 80 percent of the space is greenery.
The vacation houses, most with a living room and a kitchen, are ideal for those seeking a quiet, homey retreat.
Address: 2 Manjuelong Rd
Tel: (0571) 2897-8899
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