Hang Zhou
(part 1)

The Capital city of Zhe Jiang

Orientation of Hang Zhou
History
Hang Zhou Map
Sai Wu (West Lake)
From the Editor

Orientation of Hang Zhou

It is bounded to the west by hills, to the south by Chin Tong Jiang (Chin Tong River) and Sai Wu (West Lake) in the middle.

History

1) Chin Tong Province was set up during the Chun Dynasty in BC 221-206.
2) AD 420-589, the Chui Dynasty later changed the province name to Hang Zhou.

3) In the 13th century, Marco Polo described Hang Zhou: as "one of the most beautiful cities in the world".
4) In AD 1126 the Song Dynasty set up their capital city in Hang Zhou after their original capital city Kai Feng was captured by invaders.

5) Through numerous revolutions Hang Zhou still retains its beauty and reputation of possessing some of the most magnificent scenery in the world.

Hang Zhou Map

Sai Wu (West Lake) Hang Zhou Map

Size

About 3 Km in length and 3km in width.

Formation
The deposited silt accumulated from Chin Tong Jiang (River) created a barrier, which resulted in the birth of Sai Wu during the 4th century.

In the Tong Dynasty (AD 618-907), the lake was dredged and a dike was built in order to cut it off from the Chin Tong Jiang (River).



Boat Tour

No visit to Hang Zhou is complete without a Boat tour around the lake. Depart from Eastern part of Hu Bin Lu.

Originally it was known as Pai Sai Tai but changed its name to Pak Tai during the Tong Dynasty (AD 618-907) in remembrance of their former governor, Pak Kui-Yee.

Along Pak Tai Hang Zhou Map

Duen Kiu Chum Suet (1 on map)

Pak Tai (2 on map)

The name literally translates to English as "Broken bridge searching snow". During winter time after snowfall the sunshine rays cause the snow to melt on the bridge's hump, hence, when viewed from afar, the bridge seems to be broken.

Ping Wu Chou Yuet (3 on map)

Ping Wu Chou Yuet (3 on map)

During autumn time

During full-moon.

Mong Wu Lau near Ping Wu Chou Yuet

Arched bridge along causeway

It was built by the poet, SO Tung-Bau , governor of Hang Zhou during the Northern Song Dynasty (AD 1089), stretches from:

Nan Shan Lu in the South to Kuk Yuen Fung Ho (4 on map) in the north, with a total length of 2.8 km.

It has six arched bridges constructed along the causeway, with flowers, trees and willows planted along the stretch. The scenery of So Tai is always different whether by day or night, on rainy days, sunny days or during the four seasons. No word can be used to describe the experience of walking along the So Tai at the crack of dawn in springtime when the fog & mist carpet the lake, trees and the arched bridges. Such a walk is highly recommended and is well worth the effort in getting up early in the cold.

So Tai (5 on map)

Kuk Yuen Fung Ho (4 on map)

At the crack of dawn in springtime.

Fa Kong Koon Yu (6 on map)

Siu Yue Zhou Island (7 on map)

The famous Sam Tam Yan Yuet

Children's Park (8 on map)

Lake side Park (8 on map)

From The Editor

We would like to thank

for their generous hospitality while we were visiting this most beautiful city in the world recently and special thanks to Dr. C. Ching for having organized this trip for us.

We were staying at the Lakeview Hotel, in No 2 Huan Cheng Xi Lu and being warmly welcomed by the kind & smiling face of Ms. Wen Sonn Hau (assistant Manager), without mentioning dining in the renowned Lou Wai Lou, in No. 30 Coo Shan Lu, which is considered as the for serving the very best Hang Zhou food. We also received help from their Deputy Manager, Ms. Kung Zun Ying, explaining the history of their restaurant and their famous dishes. (See Hang Zhou Food)

We strongly recommend any visitors staying at the Lakeview Hotel, which is just a stones-throw distance from the lake, DO experience the mouth-watering dishes in Lou Wai Lou when visiting Hang Zhou next.

Dedication

Marco Polo described Hang Zhou as the most beautiful city in the world. We would like to dedicate this section to Junie Maggio & her two beautiful daughters Su Su & Cai Jin, for the marvelous job that Junie is doing.