Experience Hangzhou life with a cooking class

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.

Hangzhou Cuisine Museum is located in the south of West Lake, east of Jiangyang Fan Eco-Park. It is probably the most interesting and participatory food museum in China. Covering 12,470 square meters, Chinese Hangzhou Cuisine Museum is composed of four regions including exhibition area, Qiantang kitchen, Hangzhou taste and Dongpo pavilion, from which you can learn about the development and inheritance of Hangzhou Cuisine. Besides, you will find a motley variety of cooking techniques, which are characterized by elaborate preparation and techniques of cooking, such as sautéing, stewing, stir frying and deep frying.

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.

About 10 kilometers (6 miles) from downtown Hangzhou, Meijiawu Tea Plantation, also called Meijiawu Tea Cultural Village is not far from West Lake. It's a village with 600 years' history and famous as one of the main growing areas of Longjing tea. In the village, you can not only taste tea, but also participate in picking up tea leaves and making new tea if travelling there in spring! Besides, the Longjing tea is a great gift for your friends and family. Actually, Meijiawu village used to be unknown for a long time. Zhou Enlai, a former Chinese premier, brought attention to the area after a visit. Later, it was set up as one of the attractions for international visitors and has received more than 100 international celebrities and heads of state. Now, you can still see Wufu Bridge and a memorial hall in Meijiawu Tea Plantation built in memory of Zhou Enlai.

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”.