Hangzhou Introduction

City introduction

(Image source: www.gotohz.com)

Hangzhou, called “Hang” for short, is both the capital of Zhejiang Province and a sub-provincial city. Moreover, it’s the biggest one among the cities in Zhejiang Province; and it’s one of the sub-central cities in Yangtze River Delta and one of the central cities in Eastern China. In addition, it plays the roles of financial center in the south of Yangtze River Delta, the center of politics, economy, culture, science and education, transportation, media, communication and finance in Zhejiang Province. Hangzhou is also the center of economy, science and education, culture and finance, as well as transportation and communication in Eastern China. Finally, it’s the core city of Hangzhou Metropolitan Economic Circle.

As one of the seven ancient capital cities, Hangzhou is listed on the first batch of National Famous Historical and Cultural Cities and National Key Scenic Tourism Cities. The Liangzhu culture in Yuhang District, with a history of 5,000 years, is honored as “The Dawn of Civilization”. Since the Qin Dynasty, when the county was set up, Hangzhou carries a city history of more than 2,200 years. The State of Wuyue in the Five Dynasties (907-960) and the Southern Song (1127-1279) had established their capitals here once. Later in the Ming Dynasty, the Italian traveler Marco Polo praised Hangzhou highly as the “Most Beautiful and Luxurious City in the World”.

Hangzhou is located in China’s South-East coastal area, the north of Zhejiang Province, the north shore of lower reaches of the Qiantang River and the south end of the Grand Canal from Beijing to Hangzhou. It’s the seaport visa city authorized by the Ministry of Public Security. Also, it’s the best tourism destination approved by the National Tourism Administration, with a good reputation of “The Earthly Paradise” since ancient times.

Hangzhou is the lifelong host city to the World Leisure EXPO, China International Cartoon & Animation Festival, and China International Microfilm Festival. And it’s one of the major MICE cities in China. What’s more, with the general development target of “City expands east and tourism goes west; exploitation along the river and development cross the river”, Hangzhou is now stepping into “the Qiantang River times” from the former “Xihu times”.

Historical culture

Hangzhou is both one of the ancient capitals in China and a famous historical important city. The history of Hangzhou may date back 8,000 years since the Kuahu Bridge culture in Xiaoshan in the Neolithic Age. And Hangzhou has been named differently as “Yuhang, Qiantang, Linan” and other names. In 222 B.C. (the 25th year during the period of the First Emperor of Qin), Qiantang County was established; so Hangzhou has a city history of about 2,200 years up to now. During the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms (891-979), the State of Wuyue established its capital in Hangzhou in 893, which has lasted for 86 years. Later, in 1129, during the Southern Song, the imperial family moved south to Hangzhou, and changed its name into “Linan”; and in 1138, they formally established the capital there, lasting for 152 years. And it’s in 1927 that Hangzhou city was formally established; later the Municipal Government of Hangzhou was founded in 1949. And Hangzhou became the capital of Zhejiang Province.

Natural environment

When it comes to the natural conditions, Hangzhou is endowed richly by nature. It faces the Qiantang River; the Grand Canal and the river join together in its northeast; and the majestic Tianmu Mountains lie in its northwest. Nestling under the mountains and near the rivers, Hangzhou possesses picturesque scenery. Therefore, it’s no wonder that the emperor of the Southern Song was reluctant to leave when they established the capital there.

Climate

Across two heat zones, respectively in the south and north, Hangzhou has distinct regional features in its climate. Meanwhile, due to the impact of the mountains and water, it has a unique microclimate advantage.

Influenced by the East Asia monsoon, the climate characteristics that sunlight, heat and water are in the same period and coordinate well is formed in Hangzhou. The climate is moderate and humid, with four distinct seasons and enough sunlight and rainfall. The annual average temperature is 16.2℃; the average temperature in summer is 28.6℃ and it’s 3.8℃ in winter. The frost-free season can last for 230 to 260 days. And the average annual precipitation is 1,435 mm; and the average relative humidity would be from 74% to 85%.

Hangzhou spans 1.3 latitude distances from its north to south; and the average annual temperature difference in the plains, hills and valleys below 250 m is 2℃; and the difference of average annual precipitation in the mountainous areas and plains may be over 300 mm.

The Thousand Island Lake district, the small Meicheng plains and Shouchang Basin in the southwest of Hangzhou, surrounded by the mountains and regulated by the water in the middle, are the area with more rainfall, best heat condition, longest frost-free period and favorable wintering condition in the whole Hangzhou. While the river plain and strand plain in the northeast has less rainfall, enough sunlight but slightly more heat compared with the lake areas due to the northward exposure of the territory. And the middle valley plain and basin has a suitable climate between the north and south, with moderate rainfall and comfortable temperature.

The vast mountain areas in Hangzhou have distinct vertical climate difference that the temperature will drop as the altitude rises and that the rainfall there will also increase as the altitude raises, which forms a complicated and dynamic three-dimensional micro-climate.

Holiday Arrangement

The same with Chinese official holidays

New Year’s Day 1.1~1.3

The Spring Festival: Lunar New Year's Eve to the sixth day of the lunar January

Tomb-sweeping Day 4.2~4.4

International Labor Day 4.30~5.2

Dragon Boat Festival 6.9~6.11

The Mid-autumn Festival 9.15~9.17

National Day 10.1~10.7