CHINA
Destination | Hangzhou
Country Code: +86
Currency: Chinese yuan
FROM THE AIRPORT
 Bus: A shuttle bus departs from the airport every half hour, takes 40 minutes and costs 15 yuan. If you’re headed to the West Lake area, get off at the second stop (Marco Polo hotel stop), then cab it to your destination. When departing, buy tickets at the Zhong Shan Hotel on Zhong Shan North Road. Call the hotel first to check departure times as they change throughout the day.
Tel (0)571 8706-8899
Taxi: Plan on spending 120 yuan for the trip into town. Be sure your destination is written in Chinese as cab drivers rarely speak English.
TABLE TALK
Cheap chic: Xinjiang
Special Restaurant
Head west along the Silk Road by trying out the Central Asian style of Xinjiang cuisine. Uyghyr-style big-plate chicken and lamb kebabs offer an alternative to the subtler flavours of Zhejiang food. Tian Du Hotel Courtyard, 522 Zhong Shan Bei Road, tel (0)571 8510-1297
Mid-range magic: Shamrock Irish Pub
A long-standing Hangzhou institution that is popular amongst the expat crowd. Naturally, draught Guinness is on offer. Do note the pub has recently moved to a newer, more spacious location. Xing He Building, 89 Jie Fang Road,
tel (0)571 8755-5212
Gourmet: Shang Palace
The highlight of Shangri-la Hangzhou’s dining choices, this establishment serves delicious versions of Hangzhou specialities such as Beggar’s Chicken and West Lake Fish, alongside its Cantonese offerings. 78 Bei Shan Road,
tel (0)571 8797-7951
AFTER DARK
Cocktail hour: Night and Day Cafe
The best feature of this “something for everybody” establishment is its outdoor terrace – perfect for warm evenings with a cool cocktail in hand. In the later hours, the lower floors offer a diversity of music styles ranging from Latin to R&B. 240 Nan Shan Road, tel (0)571 8777-0275
Live entertainment: CJ Bar
ituated in the new Xihu Tiandi Bar and restaurant area, CJ Bar offers live music throughout the week, although most local party-goers still prefer to stick to weekends for their reverie. 147 Nan Shan Road, tel (0)571 8702-6622
Late night: SOS
A take on the Chinese “super-club,” SOS features a gigantic disco alongside dozens of karaoke rooms and is currently the hottest late-night entertainment venue in Hangzhou’s ever-changing party scene. 5 Huang Long Road,
tel (0)571 5683-6688/99
HOT SPOTS
Wu Lin Street: As one of China’s most prosperous provincial capitals, there is no shortage of cosmopolitan Asian fashion in Hangzhou. Local women recommend checking out any one of the hundreds of stores on Wu Lin Street and its nearby lanes.
Liulang Wenying Park: At this former Imperial garden, willow trees sway in the wind whilst photographers and tourists alike line up for the classic West Lake sunset shot. This is the place to be to take in a bit of West Lake’s atmosphere and do some serious people-watching before heading to the dozens of bars and restaurants lining nearby Nan Shan Road.
INSIDER TIPS
Tea: As home to the world-famous Dragon Well tea (long jing cha), a visit to the China National Tea Museum and its nearby tea plantations is definitely in order. Take in a proper tea-pouring demonstration and sample the subtle differences between various teas at the museum. In terms of consumption, tea is second only to water.
Leisure expo: This year, Hangzhou plays host to the first World Leisure Expo, an international event focusing on how leisure improves the quality of life for citizens of the world. Having begun in April and ending in October, the Expo features exhibitions, events, conferences, festivals and trade shows with many international participants. Check out the Expo website to see if any events coincide with your visit. www.worldleisure.org
BODY & SOUL
Y+ Yoga Centre: An extension of its main Shanghai studio, the Y+ Yoga Centre has recently opened a Hangzhou studio in the heart of its international shopping districts. Classes are available for total beginners or potential yoga instructors. Fourth floor, 7 Dong Po Road, tel (0)571 8717-2436, www.yplus.com.cn
DAY TRIPPING
Mei Jia Wu Tea Plantation: Whilst most of the tourists make the stop at the Dragon Well Village, locals know that the Mei Jia Wu plantation offers an experience off the beaten track. You can easily spend a day walking amongst tea-laden hills, sampling at local growers’ homes as you go.
IN THE KNOW
The true essence of Hangzhou is the serene West Lake. Activity heats up during the day, with boats and bicycles buzzing around the lake in a constant flurry. This means the best time to enjoy the lake’s scenery and soul is at dawn, before the rest of Hangzhou begins its assault on the lake.
Compiled by Mikey Leung
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