Hangzhou Hiking - Part Five

Wednesday morning we rode bus #115 to downtown Hangzhou, checked out some historic architecture, then proceeded to circumnavigate West Lake on foot, lingering into sunset and early evening lights.

Lunch at Hangzhou's most famous noodle restaurant.


Then over to the historic YMCA building with it's very cool clock and water tower. It's now a Youth Hostel with a cafe. Sun-Ling's maternal grandfather's family is from this district of Hangzhou.




The old Post Office building.


The promenades and walking paths around West Lake were crowded but only jammed in a few places; for example, this spot where locals are performing (with amplification btw) for free.




The walkways along the banks and causeways of West Lake are very beautiful in the Spring.




And there are a few fav spots for wedding photos.






Boating on the lake is also popular with boats of all sizes available for hire.


One section of the around-the-lake walkway was particularly popular with white-capped, orange-billed senior tour groups. ;-)


And others.




However, we found a peaceful spot to watch the sun set....




...and the lights come on around the lake.








Not to mention the water fountain light and sound show!




All that walking and we were pretty hungry and could not resist some McDonald's fries before cathcing the Metro home - our first western fast food of the trip.

Hangzhou Hiking - Part Four

Sunday, Sun-Ling, Aunt, Uncle and I drove to Xianghu Lake for a walk. The plan had us then driving over to West Lake for an evening stroll but the weather did not cooperate; rain.

Monday, I was under the weather so only a short 10km stroll on the Qiantang River Greenway near Uncle's apartment.

Aunt and Uncle live in this apartment complex.


Uncle's car, a 6 y.o. Buick Excelle (manufactured by Shanghai General Motors), recently failed inspection, the license plate numbers were not clear enough (for the ubiquitous car license plate recognition cameras I suspect), so with new plates installed we dropped by an inspection station but left defeated; more paperwork needed.


It's the prime season for digging bamboo shoots, but not in this "protected" area at Xianghu Lake Scenic Area.


Uncle, Aunt, Sun-Ling and I.


Looking down on Xianghu Lake.




These guys are building a wooden pavilion with hand tools.


Sunset on the lake.


These yellow We! vending machines sell meals ready-to-eat. They were unplugged when we walked by so not even a chance to try them out. I'm not convinced they are 100% automated; I think there may be a person inside. ;-)


After dinner we headed over to West Lake but did not get out of the car; too much wind and rain.






The Qiantang River Greenway is about 1 km from Uncle's apartment.






Along the greenway are two large statues depicting the slaying by bow an arrow of the Black Dragon that is the Qiantang River Tidal Bore; the world's largest tidal bore.

Hangzhou Hiking - Part Three

Saturday, Sun-Ling's Uncle drove us to the base of Five Cloud Peak and walked with us north to Longjing (Dragon Well) Village, famous for its pan-roasted green tea. From there we headed south along the ancient road aptly named Nine Brooks and 18 Streams and then back to the car. About 11 kms walked.

It's a beautiful sunny Saturday morning and the path up to Five Cloud Peak is busy.


Sun-Ling and Uncle review our route at the top of Five Cloud Peak.


The three of us standing next to the symbolic cloud stone image at the top.


Heading over to the Longjing tea plantations.


April is prime season for picking tea leaves and the pickers were out in force with baskets, aprons and straw hats.








Walking the ridges and saddles.




Time for a lunch break with a view to Longjing Valley.


The walk down is quick but scenic.


A parade of workers returning to the fields from their lunch break.


Hats, aprons and baskets.


Down in Longjing (Dragon Well) Village one can see the freshly picked tea leaves first get aired dried and then pan-roasted. Then one can have a tasting before buying.




When we visited Longjing in 1991 the heat for the pan roasting was from a wood fire, today it's electric.


These folks are tasting.


Turn right at the end of the village and it's a pleasant walk south through more neatly terraced tea fields on the ancient path called Nine Brooks and 18 Streams.


Uncle and Sun-Ling.




And bicyclists too.