Explore Hangzhou – the lovers’ capital

Broken Bridge, located in the eastern end of the Bai Causeway in Hangzhou West Lake, is the most well known bridge among numerous big or small ancient and modern bridges in the West Lake. It is said that as early as in the Tang Dynasty, this bridge was built. The existing bridge is a arched stone bridge built in 1921 which is 8.8 meters in length and 8.6 meters in width. Though it went through heavy repair, its simple and elegant style is still essentially unchanged. Either end of the bridge, there are pavilion architectures like the pavilion of imperial tablet. The bridge is faced with the West Lake, and opposite to the Jade Mountain and Baoshu Tower. The mountain, tower, lake, pavilion, bridge and the peach, willow on the lake bank, form a charming picturesque scenery.

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.

The 500-year-old Wansong Academy of Classical Learning has been restored recently at its original site on the eastern side of the Phoenix Mountain in Hangzhou. Founded in 1498 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the academy was one of the four major academies in Hangzhou for its complete set of sactrficial utensils, comprehensive and efficient school management and a full library. It attracted students from all over Zhejiang Province. For 500 years，the academy turned out numerous talents for the province and the whole country. It enjoyed an established reputation in Zhejiang and Jiangsu as a successful educational institute.

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”.

Yanggong Causeway is one of the "Three Causeways of West Lake" along with Bai Causeway and Su Causeway. It's name commemorates Yang Mengying, the then governor of Hangzhou. Yang ordered the dredging of West Lake and the construction of a causeway out of silt. Connected by six bridges, the causeway is otherwise known as "Inner Six Bridges". Along Yanggong Causeway lines seven scenic areas from north to south: Breeze-ruffled Lotus at Quyuan Garden, Golden Sand Harbor, Hangzhou Flower Nursery, Maojiabu, the Turtle Pool, Yuhu Bay and Viewing Fish at Flower Pond. Together they form the Yanggong Causeway scenic area.