Discover Hangzhou on a cycling tour

The Bai Causeway cuts the lake into two parts - the outer west lake and inner west lake. There are two stone bridges, "broken bridge" and "Jindai Bridge" on the Bai Causeway. The "Broken Bridge" is well known in China for its link with a famous Chinese love story - White Snake Legend, a Chinese version of Romeo and Julian. The Bai Causeway was built after the name of Bai Juyi, a famous poet and good governor of Hangzhou in Tang Dynasty Dynasty.

Hangzhou is in Zhejiang Province, China. It is one of the most important tourist cities in China, famous for its natural beauty and historical and cultural heritage. It is the political, economic and cultural center of Zhejiang province as well. It's worthwhile to know that it's extremely humid in summertime, which is from early June to early September. The city was the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty from 1127 until the Mongol invasion of 1276. This historic city is a showcase for traditional medicine, religion and art as well as a shining example of China’s rapid economic development. Combining idyllic natural beauty, a grand heritage through the ages and an air of affluence, Hangzhou is one of the country’s most livable and pleasant cities to linger in.

Longjing Tea or dragon well tea of more than 1200 years old is the No. 1 tea in China. With verdant color on the leaves, strong fragrance, sweet flavor and elegant form, Longjign tea is given the reputable name of the "Green Queen" and the "Golden Card" of Hangzhou city. Since its surrounding area has fertile land, multiple high mountains and very good climate, the Longjing Tea could grow under the God-given natural condition. Therefore, you can visit the plantation to appreciate a full land of Longjing Tea and know the essence of this precious and valuable tea in Chinese culture.

There are two well-known causeways running across West Lake in Hangzhou – Bai Causeway and Su Causeway, which are both named after the poet-governors of Hangzhou – Bai Juyi (772–846) in Tang Dynasty and Su Dongpo ( 1037 – 1101) in Song Dynasty respectively. Su Causeway is a great place for walking or biking. It is a 2800-meter scenic walk or bike belt crossing the lake from the south to the north on the west side of West Lake. There are six stone moon bridges numbered from the Bridge No.01 in the south ( Leifeng Pagoda side ) to the Bridge No.06 in the north ( near Tomb of General Yue Fei or Shangri-la Hotel). Dawn on the Su Causeway in spring is one of the top 10 classical attractions in Hangzhou.

West Lake is an iconic, symbolic sight in Hangzhou and is regarded as one of the most beautiful sights in China. Its beauty is the subject of many poems and paintings. Legends originating in West Lake add to it an aura of romance. West Lake is divided into five sections by a mountain and three causeways. Three islands stand in the lake. Two pagodas face each other across the lake. Xi Hu is a good place for observing the life-style of local people. It is the main recreational area in Hangzhou. It occupies an important place in the hearts of Hangzhou people. The construction and maintenance of West Lake involved the wisdom and effort of generations. Its beauty reflects “an idyllic fusion between humanity and nature”.