Hangzhou is the capital of Zhejiang province in eastern China, covering 16,000 square km with a population of 6.6 million people. Located southwest of Shanghai on the Qiantang River, Hangzhou has been famous for its beautiful scenery and historical sites since ancient times, being described as "Paradise on Earth" and "the finest city in the world" by Marco Polo during the Yuan Dynasty. Today, Hangzhou attracts thousands of domestic and international tourists drawn to its mountains, rivers, and cultural attractions.

1. Hangzhou City of Song Helga design

5. Hangzhou is the capital city of Zhejiang province. It covers an area of 16,000 square km with a population of 6.60 million. Hangzhou locates southern-west to Shanghai, in the lower reaches of the Qiantang River and at the southern end of the Grand Canal (Beijing-Hangzhou). Within the Yangtze River Delta region, the distance between Hangzhou and Shanghai is about 200 kilometers. The trip around Hangzhou is quite comfortable and efficient. Hangzhou is famous for her beautiful scenery all through the ages and is one of the important historical and cultural cities listed by the State Council. As a famous scenic city in China, it is known as "Paradise on earth" and was described as "the finest and most splendid city in the world" by famous Italian traveler Marco Polo in Yuan Dynasty. With its beautiful and elegant mountains and water, and abundant cultural scenic relics, Hangzhou attracts thousands of tourists from both at home and abroad

12. Dressed Song Dinasty (1127-1279).

15. Dressed Song Dinasty (1127-1279).

20. Photos by David Dong