Doing Business in China

Hangzhou China is one of the most beautiful and elegant city in the world.Hangzhou China,one of China's seven ancient national capitals,is the the capital of Zhejiang province in China.

Hangzhou China sits at the southern end of the Grand Canal.You may have heard the popular saying:"Above there is heaven,below there are Hangzhou and Suzhou".Every year,hundreds of thousands of tourists were attracted to Hangzhou,exquisite West Lake(Xi Hu),the placid lake,beautiful gardens,reflecting pools,lavish temples and lakeside teahouses.

There are many well-known historical and cultural sites in the areas around West Lake. Examples are Solitary Hill, Six Harmonies Pagoda and the Lin Yin Temple. Hangzhou is also well known for its silk and tea. A trip to Hangzhou can be easily combined with a visit to a tea plantation in the hills near the West Lake.

First built over 2,200 years ago, Hangzhou was a cradle of Chinese civilization. Hangzhou was the capital of Wu and Yue States in the 10th century during the Five Dynasties period.

The city began to prosper and flourish in the Tang Dynasty. The city had its political heyday in the Southern Song Dynasty when it served as the capital. Hangzhou witnessed rapid commercial boom in the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

Hangzhou China Transport

Historically, Hangzhou's status as a major port and the starting point on the Hangzhou-Beijing Grand Canal.The Grand Canal was a vital north-south transport artery, which was started in the 6th cent. B.C. and constructed over a 2,000-year period. The canal stretches from Beijing in the north to Hangzhou in the south. At over 1,600 km in length, it is the world's longest artificial waterway.Fuelled its prosperity as a one of the most important water transport hubs in southern China. The Grand Canal has lost its importance, but today Hangzhou is a vital rail and road hub for the Yangtze delta, as well as one of the busiest air destinations in China.

The city has a well-integrated public transport system, and the flat terrain makes travel easy for visitors, whether they choose one of Hangzhou's modern buses, or opt for a rented bicycle to take in the city's sights at a slower pace. Hangzhou will further improve its public transport system with a modern subway system, expected to go into service in 2008. Another major transport project is the high-speed maglev (magnetic levitation) train link between Shanghai and Hangzhou. Scheduled for completion in 2010, the train will reach speeds of 450 kph (280 mph) in open country and will slash travel time between the two cities to 30 minutes.

Hangzhou China shopping

Shopping in Hangzhou was at one time limited to loading up on souvenirs, knickknacks and bolts of silk, but no longer.  While Hangzhou's regional goods are, of course, still available for purchase by the truckload, modern shopping malls, supermarkets and commercial plazas have sprung up everywhere.  Newer fashion centers include Jiebai Department Store, and any number of shops on Jiefang, Wulin or Yan'an Roads.  These "what you see is what you get" boutiques and malls come as a welcome relief to those who've had enough bargaining to last a lifetime. 

Hangzhou China dining teahouse

Hangzhou, Ningbo and Shaoxing cuisines together comprise Zhejiang cuisine (zhe cai), which is itself one of the eight major Chinese cooking styles.  Applauded for its tenderness, freshness and crispness, Zhejiang food is a welcome relief from the greasy dishes of Sichuan and the northern provinces.  Based heavily in seafood and rice, Hangzhou cuisine is the most distinctive of the zhe cai sub-groups with its elaborate preparation and wide variety of cooking techniques.  

Hangzhou China entertainment

Hangzhou, with its long history of high culture and its modern booming economy, offers the best of traditional Chinese entertainment alongside the bars, discos and karaoke rooms that are part of life in every big city today.

If you are interested in traditional musical theater, you should inquire about the performances at the Shengli Theater. If you are lucky, you may get to see Shaoxing Opera, a lyrical and colorful form of musical theater which originated in Zhejiang province. More modern Chinese comic art forms are on display at the Hangzhou Comic Art Theater. Non-Chinese speakers can still have an entertaining time there: plenty of audience members will be happy to explain the fun.

For classical Western and Chinese music and Western opera, check the program at the city's magnificent Hangzhou Grand Theatre. Opened in 2004, it has already attracted an impressive list of international performers, and many more are on the way. The Zhejiang Concert Hall also offers classical music as well as jazz and big-band performances.

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