Tuesday, April 28, 2015

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.
Hangzhou, China

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.
Hangzhou, China

Hangzhou, China

The old Post Office building.
Hangzhou, China

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.
Hangzhou, China

Hangzhou, China

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

Hangzhou, China

And there are a few fav spots for wedding photos.
Hangzhou, China

Hangzhou, China

Hangzhou, China

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

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

And others.
Hangzhou, China

Hangzhou, China

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

Hangzhou, China

...and the lights come on around the lake.
Hangzhou, China

Hangzhou, China

Hangzhou, China

Hangzhou, China

Not to mention the water fountain light and sound show!
Hangzhou, China

Hangzhou, China

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, China



Saturday, April 25, 2015

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.
Hangzhou, China

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.
Hangzhou, China

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

Uncle, Aunt, Sun-Ling and I.
Hangzhou, China

Looking down on Xianghu Lake.
Hangzhou, China

Hangzhou, China

These guys are building a wooden pavilion with hand tools.
Hangzhou, China

Sunset on the lake.
Hangzhou, China

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. ;-)
Hangzhou, China

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

Hangzhou, China

Hangzhou, China

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

Hangzhou, China

Hangzhou, China

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, China

Hangzhou, China



Friday, April 24, 2015

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.
Hangzhou, China

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

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

Heading over to the Longjing tea plantations.
Hangzhou, China

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

Hangzhou, China

Hangzhou, China

Hangzhou, China

Walking the ridges and saddles.
Hangzhou, China

Hangzhou, China

Time for a lunch break with a view to Longjing Valley.
Hangzhou, China

The walk down is quick but scenic.
Hangzhou, China

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

Hats, aprons and baskets.
Hangzhou, China

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.
Hangzhou, China

Hangzhou, China

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

These folks are tasting.
Hangzhou, China

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.
Hangzhou, China

Uncle and Sun-Ling.
Hangzhou, China

Hangzhou, China

And bicyclists too.
Hangzhou, China

Hangzhou, China

Hangzhou, China








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