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Hangzhou is a sub-provincial city located in the Yangtze River Delta in the People's Republic of China, and the capital of Zhejiang province. Located 180 kilometres (112 mi) southwest of Shanghai, as of 2004 the entire Hangzhou Region or Prefecture-level city had a registered population of 6.5 million people.
The urban agglomeration of the Hangzhou metropolitan area has a resident population of 3,931,900 as of 2003, of which 2,636,700 are legal residents, of which there are 1,910,000 residents in the urban core six districts. As one of the most renowned and prosperous cities of China for much of the last 1,000 years, Hangzhou is also well-known for its beautiful natural scenery, with the West Lake as the most noteworthy location.
Divisions
Hangzhou Region or prefecture-level city contains the Hangzhou metropolitan area (eight districts), 3 metropolitan counties, and 2 ordinary counties. The central six urban districts occupy 682 km2 (263.4 mi2) and have 1,910,000 people. The two suburban districts occupy 2,642 km2 (1020 mi2) and have 1,950,000 people.
* Gongshu District
* Shangcheng District
* Xiacheng District
* Jianggan District
* Xihu District
* Binjiang District
* Yuhang District
* Xiaoshan District
* Lin'an
* Fuyang
* Jiande
* Tonglu County
* Chun'an County
Tourism
Hangzhou is renowned for its historic relics and natural beauty. It has been ranked as one of the ten most scenic cities in China. Although Hangzhou has been through many recent urban developments, it still retains its historical and cultural heritage. Today, tourism remains an important factor for Hangzhou's economy. One of Hangzhou's most popular sights is West Lake. The lake covers an area of 6 square kilometres and includes some of Hangzhou's most famous historic and scenic places. The area includes historical pagodas, cultural sites, as well as the natural beauty of the lake and hills.
The world's largest tidal bore races up the Qiantang River through Hangzhou reaching up to 40 ft in height.
Luohan Tang (Arhat Hall) at Hupaoquan in Hangzhou, China
* The oldest Buddhist temple in the city is believed to be Lingyin Si ("Soul's Retreat"), which, like most of the other landmarks in this city, has gone through numerous destruction and reconstruction cycles.
* Lingyin Temple which contains the Feilang Feng grottos
* Jingci Temple
* Liuhe Pagoda
* Baochu Pagoda
* Yue-Wang Miao ("King Yue's Temple") or Yue Fue Mu is near the West Lake and was originally constructed in 1221 in memory of General Yue Fei, who lost his life due to political persecution.
* Xixi National Wetland Park
* Hangzhou Botanical Gardens
* Dreaming of the Tiger Spring
* Hangzhou Zoo
* Leifeng Pagoda
* Jade Springs (Yu Quan)
* Qiantang Tidal Bore (Sliver Dragon)
