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Top marks for student coffee hot spots
By Wu Huixin |
March 11, 2013, Monday
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XIXI Road connects two of the most famous scenic areas of Hangzhou - West Lake and Xixi Wetland - so is considered the "golden string" of the city.
Tracing the north side of Xixi Wetland, the road also boasts the beautiful Laohe Hill among its attractions.
Though not clearly recorded in history, many locals believe that Laohe Hill is the Qinwang Hill climbed by Qin Shihuang, founder of the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC), in an ancient poem.
The summit of Laohe hill offers a bird's eye view of Qiantang River, West Lake and Xixi Wetland. The hill attracted the United States Presbyterian Church there in 1907, siting part of what was then Hangchow Presbyterian College - today's Zhejiang University - at its foot.
According to local historical documents, the ancient Xixi Road was 18 li - 9 kilometers - long, with nine pavilions, plum trees and bamboo groves along the way.
And beneath the roadside flourishing plants lies buried 17th century Italian missionary, Martino Martini.
Chinese academics have said that Martini was the first to study the history and geography of China with rigorous scientific objectivity. The extent of his knowledge of Chinese culture and the accuracy of his research have been held as models for modern sinologists.
Martini's tomb in the Catholic Priest Public Cemetery alongside Xixi Road is listed as a protected historic relic in Zhejiang Province.
In the past, Xixi Road was narrow and uneven, not befitting its high status in Hangzhou. So in 2011, Hangzhou government began a major rebuilding program, which is ongoing.
According to the municipal plan, the road will be transformed into a 24-meter wide, four-lane thoroughfare, helping relieve heavy traffic of the urban area.
Xixi Road started to boom in the 1980s due to China's resumption of the college entrance examination and the location of two campuses of Zhejiang University there. The Xixi campus is situated on the east road and Yuquan campus in the middle.
As one of China's top three universities, Zhejiang University has helped attract science and technology businesses along Xixi Road.
Alipay - China's equivalent of Paypal - and science parks and technological enterprises are gathered here, making it a rendezvous of high-tech high flyers.
With so many college students and white collar workers, Xixi Road has developed a cafe culture. Shanghai Daily took a stroll and lingered over coffee at some top spots.
Ife Coffee
The highlight of this cafe's decor is two blackboards set on its walls, where guests can write and draw whatever they want, giving the eatery a casual and creative look.
Another example of the casual vibe is the free fresh-baked cookies that customers can help themselves too.
As a further enticement, owner Miss Jin says Ife Coffee is the only cafe in Hangzhou selling authentic New York flavor hotdog.
The range includes the Newbee Hotdog, Supreme Hotdog, New York Hotdog and Bacon Hotdog. Ingredients such as pickles and hotdog sausages are imported.
And if you can't stay, discounts are offered on takeaway.
As one of the owners comes from South Korea, the cafe attracts many South Korean students from Zhejiang University.
So if you're looking for a Korean tutor, post a note here.
Address: 418 Xixi Road
Tel: (0571) 8512-2676
Panini
The owner of this cafe studied in Italy and aims to bring authentic Italian food to Hangzhou diners - including the famous sandwich from which the eatery takes its name.
Yummy freshly toasted panini are available with a number of fillings, including favorites tuna salad with avocado and cheese and chicken with lemon tarragon, mayonnaise and red grapes.
From 8-10am, the cafe offers an 18 yuan (US$2.9) set meal, including a sandwich and a cup of coffee. Coffee refills are half-price.
Address: 418 Xixi Road
Tel: (0573) 8515-8353
Peet's Coffee
Though it only opened last year, this cafe is already a favorite among students - especially those from overseas.
On the walls are messages from customers in different languages, including English, French, German and Arabic.
Photographs of travel destinations and plane tickets to all over the world are posted on boards, while travel books and Chinese novels sit on shelves. The cafe also has a second floor, where guests can enjoy a quieter space.
Peet's Coffee has become an ideal place for people learning languages, where customers chat and swap languages over a cup of coffee.
Address: 418 Xixi Road
Tel: 134-2966-4000
Tracing the north side of Xixi Wetland, the road also boasts the beautiful Laohe Hill among its attractions.
Though not clearly recorded in history, many locals believe that Laohe Hill is the Qinwang Hill climbed by Qin Shihuang, founder of the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC), in an ancient poem.
The summit of Laohe hill offers a bird's eye view of Qiantang River, West Lake and Xixi Wetland. The hill attracted the United States Presbyterian Church there in 1907, siting part of what was then Hangchow Presbyterian College - today's Zhejiang University - at its foot.
According to local historical documents, the ancient Xixi Road was 18 li - 9 kilometers - long, with nine pavilions, plum trees and bamboo groves along the way.
And beneath the roadside flourishing plants lies buried 17th century Italian missionary, Martino Martini.
Chinese academics have said that Martini was the first to study the history and geography of China with rigorous scientific objectivity. The extent of his knowledge of Chinese culture and the accuracy of his research have been held as models for modern sinologists.
Martini's tomb in the Catholic Priest Public Cemetery alongside Xixi Road is listed as a protected historic relic in Zhejiang Province.
In the past, Xixi Road was narrow and uneven, not befitting its high status in Hangzhou. So in 2011, Hangzhou government began a major rebuilding program, which is ongoing.
According to the municipal plan, the road will be transformed into a 24-meter wide, four-lane thoroughfare, helping relieve heavy traffic of the urban area.
Xixi Road started to boom in the 1980s due to China's resumption of the college entrance examination and the location of two campuses of Zhejiang University there. The Xixi campus is situated on the east road and Yuquan campus in the middle.
As one of China's top three universities, Zhejiang University has helped attract science and technology businesses along Xixi Road.
Alipay - China's equivalent of Paypal - and science parks and technological enterprises are gathered here, making it a rendezvous of high-tech high flyers.
With so many college students and white collar workers, Xixi Road has developed a cafe culture. Shanghai Daily took a stroll and lingered over coffee at some top spots.
Ife Coffee
The highlight of this cafe's decor is two blackboards set on its walls, where guests can write and draw whatever they want, giving the eatery a casual and creative look.
Another example of the casual vibe is the free fresh-baked cookies that customers can help themselves too.
As a further enticement, owner Miss Jin says Ife Coffee is the only cafe in Hangzhou selling authentic New York flavor hotdog.
The range includes the Newbee Hotdog, Supreme Hotdog, New York Hotdog and Bacon Hotdog. Ingredients such as pickles and hotdog sausages are imported.
And if you can't stay, discounts are offered on takeaway.
As one of the owners comes from South Korea, the cafe attracts many South Korean students from Zhejiang University.
So if you're looking for a Korean tutor, post a note here.
Address: 418 Xixi Road
Tel: (0571) 8512-2676
Panini
The owner of this cafe studied in Italy and aims to bring authentic Italian food to Hangzhou diners - including the famous sandwich from which the eatery takes its name.
Yummy freshly toasted panini are available with a number of fillings, including favorites tuna salad with avocado and cheese and chicken with lemon tarragon, mayonnaise and red grapes.
From 8-10am, the cafe offers an 18 yuan (US$2.9) set meal, including a sandwich and a cup of coffee. Coffee refills are half-price.
Address: 418 Xixi Road
Tel: (0573) 8515-8353
Peet's Coffee
Though it only opened last year, this cafe is already a favorite among students - especially those from overseas.
On the walls are messages from customers in different languages, including English, French, German and Arabic.
Photographs of travel destinations and plane tickets to all over the world are posted on boards, while travel books and Chinese novels sit on shelves. The cafe also has a second floor, where guests can enjoy a quieter space.
Peet's Coffee has become an ideal place for people learning languages, where customers chat and swap languages over a cup of coffee.
Address: 418 Xixi Road
Tel: 134-2966-4000
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