Blessed with a varied mix of natural and manmade visual attractions, providing something for both nature lovers and those visitors appreciating cultural heritage, Hangzhou has much in the way of sightseeing. The West Lake is without doubt the most famous sight in the city and the location that invariably gets top spot on most visitors’ sightseeing itineraries.

Fei Lai Feng
Standing 209 metres tall, the Fei Lai Feng mountain is among the most distinctive of the city’s landmarks and is unique from the sandstone mountains that surround it in that it is a limestone formation. For generations the locals have seen the shapes of animals in the stones that are scattered around the mountain’s peak, some of which resemble monkeys, tigers, elephants and dragons. One legend surrounding the mountain was passed down by an Indian monk named Huili and states that the mountain flew to China from India.

Longjing (Dragon Well) Tea Fields
Longjing tea is the most popular and highest grade of green tea produced in Hangzhou, and the tea leaves for this variety of tea are grown at the Dragon Well fields, located about 12 miles (20kms) from downtown Hangzhou. The season for harvesting begins in March and lasts through May. This is the best time to visit, as the fields are full of tea-pickers and the tea available for purchase is at its freshest and best quality.

Northern Peak
The highest point in the city, situated behind the Ling Yin Temple, is also the best vantage point from which to view the West Lake. A cable car offers transportation to the peak’s summit and provided you choose a clear day, you’ll get awesome views across the city from the viewing platform. A café at the summit gives visitors the chance to enjoy some tea while taking in the panorama outside.

Three Ponds Mirroring the Moon
The West Lake features a number of manmade islands, with this island being the largest. Notable for its three hollow stone pagodas which date back to the 11^th century to the time of the Song dynasty, the island is he best place to view the reflection of the pagodas when the moon is full or almost full, an illusion that gives the lake its name. The locals enhance the affair by placing candles in the tops of the pagodas. Three Ponds Mirroring the Moon is one of the ‘Ten Scenes of Xī Hú’.

Tiger Spring
Also known as the Hupao Spring, this popular natural feature gets its name from a legend that tells of two tigers that dug a hole in the desert from which the spring water gushed out. Along with the Long Jing tea, the spring, or rather the mineral water it produces, is known as one of the ‘wonders of the West Lake’. The water is used to produce tea which can be bought by the glass from vendors at the spring.

West Lake
The city’s most famous landmark is a large area of water that’s known locally as Xī Hú and is an integral part of Hangzhou life and an essential aspect of the city’s identity. The lake has a number of notable features including several small islands and attractions such as the Galloping Tiger Spring, the Tomb of Su Xiao Xiao and the Tomb of Wu Song. In local tradition, there are 10 views of the lake that should be witnessed in order to fully appreciate its beauty. These are known as the ‘Ten Scenes of Xī Hú’ and include the Dawn on the Su Causeway in Spring, the Curved Yard and Lotus Pool in Summer and the Moon over the Peaceful Lake in Autumn.

Dine on the food of one of the Eight Culinary Traditions of China. The cuisine of Zhejiang province, of which Hangzhou is a part, is reputedly among the best in the country so don’t miss out on the chance to sample local culinary creations. Hangzhou takes the cooking methods of Zhejiang and applies them to create mouthwatering dishes such as dongpo pork, West Lake vinegar fish and beggar's chicken. Finish a meal with a cup of Longjin tea for the perfect dining experience.

Enjoy afternoon tea at a Hangzhou teahouse. No holiday in Hangzhou is complete without sampling the tea that the city is so famous for producing. A trip to one of the tea producing villages such as Manjuelong, Longjin or Meijiawu gives you the chance to enjoy a cup of the freshest tea. The teahouses also serve food so you can enjoy a bite to eat before or after you sample the tea.

Shop for silk. Alongside tea, silk is Hangzhou’s most famous locally made product and the city has some great places to buy silk, with everything from luxurious items of clothing to bedspreads, curtains and other home furnishings available. The Silk Market on Tiyuchang road is home to the biggest concentration of silk vendors and consequently the largest variety of silk products.

Take a boat trip on the West Lake. There are various vessels available on which to take a trip around the West Lake. Organised cruises are the most popular choice among visitors; however, you can just as easily find an independent boat owner and negotiate a price and an itinerary on your own. To see the best of the lake’s sights, be sure your trip includes a stop at the Three Ponds Mirroring the Moon.

Visit the Peak That Flew From Afar. Otherwise known as Fei Lai Feng, this hill or small mountain is named after the Indian monk who claimed that it flew to China from India since it closely resembled a temple he knew from home. The main attraction of the hill is the 400 hundred or so carvings that have been made in its limestone surface, some dating back as far as the 10^th century.

Walk the West Lake. Walking at a leisurely pace, it’s possible to walk the circumference of the lake in about five hours. Along the way you can take in a myriad of interesting sights, some of which can be appreciated up close and others only from a distance.