Hangzhou is the capital city of Zhejiang province. It covers an area of 16,000 square km with a population of 6.60 million. Hangzhou locates southern-west to Shanghai, in the lower

reaches of the Qiantang River and at the southern end of the Grand Canal (Beijing-Hangzhou). Within the Yangtze River

Delta region, the distance between Hangzhou and Shanghai is about 200 kilometers. The trip around Hangzhou is quite

comfortable and efficient.

Hangzhou is famous for her beautiful scenery all through the ages and is one of the important historical and cultural cities

listed by the State Council.As a famous scenic city in China, it is known as "Paradise on

earth" and was described as "the finest and most splendid city in the world" by famous Italian traveler Marco Polo in Yuan

Dynasty. With its beautiful and elegant mountains and water, and

abundant cultural scenic relics, Hangzhou attracts thousands of tourists from both at home and abroad

Dressed Song Dinasty (1127-1279).

Dressed Song Dinasty (1127-1279).

Photos by David Dong