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Yuhuang Hill feels like a slice of heaven on earth
By Xu Wenwen |
February 18, 2013, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
THE serene waters and hills outside Hangzhou have lured visitors for centuries. Yuhuang Hill is especially popular because it stands between West Lake and the Qiantang River, giving visitors gorgeous vistas of both waterways.
The 239-meter-high hill used to host Jade Emperor Palace - a Taoist abbey enshrining the Jade Emperor, the highest god in heaven, according to Taoist beliefs. The palace featured the largest Taoist buildings in the country 400 years ago.
The hill was named Yuhuang, which means Jade Emperor, and the road winding under it is called Yuhuangshan Road, meaning Jade Emperor Hill Road.
Nowadays the hill is popular with hikers although it rarely feels crowded.
Yuhuangshan Road is a tranquil strip with several interesting spots to check out. Shanghai Daily stops at four places today.
Long Bridge Stream Park
Three sites in Hangzhou have paradoxical names. Broken Bridge is not broken, Solitude Hill is not lonely and Long Bridge is not long.
Broken Bridge appears broken from special angles and under specific lighting effects on snowy days. Solitude Hill is named so because it is on an island in West Lake while Long Bridge earned its name after Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai - regarded as the Chinese version of Romeo and Juliet - had taken a very long time to say farewell to one another on the bridge.
Long Bridge Stream Park is a wetland near Long Bridge. Even in the winter, the scenery can surprise visitors because of its pink flowers, golden weeds, crimson maples, green bushes, brown rocks and transparent water.
Inside the park visitors can see weeds blowing in the wind and birds on the meadow. Compared to other places around West Lake, the park receives fewer visitors.
The stream under Long Bridge was seriously polluted decades ago, but has slowly recovered after years of conservation efforts by the government.
The park also has a sewage treatment plant.
Earlier this year, the park won the Dubai International Award for Best Practices in Improving the Living Environment. It is one of 10 Chinese projects to have won the award.
If you go: Just walk along Yuhuangshan Road and you will find the park.
Jueming Tea House
Hidden among bushes opposite Long Bridge Stream Park is Jueming Tea House, a place easily missed.
Its relatively hidden location makes it a quiet and relaxing place for a cup of Hangzhou's famous Longjing tea.
Wuyi rock tea, Narcissus tea and Dahongpao tea are also recommended. A variety of nuts and fruits are served with tea.
The tea sets are exquisite and the soft decorations include refined vases, Chinese calligraphies and paintings by famous artists.
All of the booths feature either French windows facing greenery or glass ceilings with a view of lofty trees.
The price of a pot of tea varies from 300 yuan (US$48) to more than 1,000 yuan. The minimum cost per person is 200 yuan. Professional tea specialists serve all customers.
Address: 76-1 Yuhuangshan Road
Tel: (0571) 8508-7259
Fleur de Lis
Fleur de Lis is a French restaurant that also offers some dishes from northern Spain.
A low-profile sign identifies the two-story white wooden restaurant tucked away up a small path. Owner Zhu Jiang says she opened the restaurant because she is a foodie.
Zhu says she has toured around Europe to try different restaurants, and since she opened Fleur de Lis around a year ago, food tours have become more frequent.
Zhu says her restaurant use imported ingredients along with fresh produce grown in the restaurant's garden or purchased from villagers. This ensures there are no additives, she adds.
The desserts come highly recommended based on reviews posted online.
For example, the cheesecake is light, not too sweet, has a natural milky fragrance and a soft texture.
Also strongly recommended are the jackfruit ice cream balls.
Address: 23-1 Yuhuangshan Road
Tel: (0571) 8718-6111
Mandolin Country-style Villa Hotel/Garden Restaurant
At the end of Yuhuangshan Road is a path extending to Yuhuang Hill. Nestled at the foot of the hill are dozens of nongjiale, or happy farmer's house, providing simple food and accommodation.
Mandolin is a hostel with country-style decor and also a garden restaurant making Hangzhou cuisine.
The garden is filled with plants and flowers and offers a great view. The restaurant is decked out with white sofas, white cupboards, white window frames, white lace curtains, plus many paintings and photographs.
The menu is characterized by creative Hangzhou cuisine, and recommendations include duck stewed in soy sauce and savory beef, which undergoes a dozen processes before cooking.
Fusion dishes include cheese and sesame balls and crispy yam rolls.
Rooms are around 300 yuan per night. All rooms are colorfully laid out with European decor and windows facing greenery.
Address: 43 Yuhuangshan Road
Tel: (0571) 8702-2902
The 239-meter-high hill used to host Jade Emperor Palace - a Taoist abbey enshrining the Jade Emperor, the highest god in heaven, according to Taoist beliefs. The palace featured the largest Taoist buildings in the country 400 years ago.
The hill was named Yuhuang, which means Jade Emperor, and the road winding under it is called Yuhuangshan Road, meaning Jade Emperor Hill Road.
Nowadays the hill is popular with hikers although it rarely feels crowded.
Yuhuangshan Road is a tranquil strip with several interesting spots to check out. Shanghai Daily stops at four places today.
Long Bridge Stream Park
Three sites in Hangzhou have paradoxical names. Broken Bridge is not broken, Solitude Hill is not lonely and Long Bridge is not long.
Broken Bridge appears broken from special angles and under specific lighting effects on snowy days. Solitude Hill is named so because it is on an island in West Lake while Long Bridge earned its name after Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai - regarded as the Chinese version of Romeo and Juliet - had taken a very long time to say farewell to one another on the bridge.
Long Bridge Stream Park is a wetland near Long Bridge. Even in the winter, the scenery can surprise visitors because of its pink flowers, golden weeds, crimson maples, green bushes, brown rocks and transparent water.
Inside the park visitors can see weeds blowing in the wind and birds on the meadow. Compared to other places around West Lake, the park receives fewer visitors.
The stream under Long Bridge was seriously polluted decades ago, but has slowly recovered after years of conservation efforts by the government.
The park also has a sewage treatment plant.
Earlier this year, the park won the Dubai International Award for Best Practices in Improving the Living Environment. It is one of 10 Chinese projects to have won the award.
If you go: Just walk along Yuhuangshan Road and you will find the park.
Jueming Tea House
Hidden among bushes opposite Long Bridge Stream Park is Jueming Tea House, a place easily missed.
Its relatively hidden location makes it a quiet and relaxing place for a cup of Hangzhou's famous Longjing tea.
Wuyi rock tea, Narcissus tea and Dahongpao tea are also recommended. A variety of nuts and fruits are served with tea.
The tea sets are exquisite and the soft decorations include refined vases, Chinese calligraphies and paintings by famous artists.
All of the booths feature either French windows facing greenery or glass ceilings with a view of lofty trees.
The price of a pot of tea varies from 300 yuan (US$48) to more than 1,000 yuan. The minimum cost per person is 200 yuan. Professional tea specialists serve all customers.
Address: 76-1 Yuhuangshan Road
Tel: (0571) 8508-7259
Fleur de Lis
Fleur de Lis is a French restaurant that also offers some dishes from northern Spain.
A low-profile sign identifies the two-story white wooden restaurant tucked away up a small path. Owner Zhu Jiang says she opened the restaurant because she is a foodie.
Zhu says she has toured around Europe to try different restaurants, and since she opened Fleur de Lis around a year ago, food tours have become more frequent.
Zhu says her restaurant use imported ingredients along with fresh produce grown in the restaurant's garden or purchased from villagers. This ensures there are no additives, she adds.
The desserts come highly recommended based on reviews posted online.
For example, the cheesecake is light, not too sweet, has a natural milky fragrance and a soft texture.
Also strongly recommended are the jackfruit ice cream balls.
Address: 23-1 Yuhuangshan Road
Tel: (0571) 8718-6111
Mandolin Country-style Villa Hotel/Garden Restaurant
At the end of Yuhuangshan Road is a path extending to Yuhuang Hill. Nestled at the foot of the hill are dozens of nongjiale, or happy farmer's house, providing simple food and accommodation.
Mandolin is a hostel with country-style decor and also a garden restaurant making Hangzhou cuisine.
The garden is filled with plants and flowers and offers a great view. The restaurant is decked out with white sofas, white cupboards, white window frames, white lace curtains, plus many paintings and photographs.
The menu is characterized by creative Hangzhou cuisine, and recommendations include duck stewed in soy sauce and savory beef, which undergoes a dozen processes before cooking.
Fusion dishes include cheese and sesame balls and crispy yam rolls.
Rooms are around 300 yuan per night. All rooms are colorfully laid out with European decor and windows facing greenery.
Address: 43 Yuhuangshan Road
Tel: (0571) 8702-2902
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