Adventures in Hangzhou

Warning: Seriously seriously, this post contains way too many pictures. Scroll along only if you dare. Btw, go make yourself a cuppa while this page is loading.

Day 5

Our final day in China was spent in the beautiful city of Hangzhou..

Aigie, bless that woman, helped us to arrange for a driver to pick us from our hotel in Shanghai to chaffeur us around Hangzhou and to send us to the HZ airport around 8am. That's a total of 12 hrs altogether.

Our driver, Zhao shifu (shifu is a term you use to address a driver), came to pick us up around 8:30am in his super spacious and comfy MPV (it's a Buick but i can't remember which model. It's heaps more comfy that a Toyota Tarago - which is already pretty good).

Initially, we were toying with the idea of hopping on a day tour from Shanghai to HZ, but instead of returning to SH, we'll head straight to HZ airport and depart from there. However, the problem lies in the fact that most tours finish as early as 4-5pm.

Which means, we have a long time to wait as our flight is at 11:35pm. Also, we'd have to deal with lugging our lugagges around, looking for a place to eat in the city. Then trying to hail a cab (which i was told it's not that convenient in HZ) to the airport at 8pm.

OK, to cut it short...what i'm trying to say is this:
It saved us heaps of hassle by engaging Zhao shifu as our designated driver for the day.

For one, we didn't have to worry about our lugging our luggages around the city after the tour. Nor did we have to bother with going on a tour with a group of tourists - that alone, can be very time consuming.

Also, Zhao shifu is a very pleasant man. Only drawback is he doesn't speak much English. Many times, when he was telling us stories about the myths and legends surrounding the West Lake, both Christine and Sue-Ann drew a blank face.

And i had to say this to the girls, "Oh..he's talking about the Legend of the Lady White Snake..wait..lemme listen to as much as possible and i'll try to translate as much as i can remember".

Was pretty glad that by the end of the trip my comprehension of Mandarin improved tremendously.

Even Zhao shifu noticed and he commented that I'm the only one in the group who could understand Mandarin. LOL!

So this banana isn't that bad a banana afterall eh?

Anyway, if you guys would like a hassle free private tour, and you'd like someone as nice as Zhao shifu to ferry you around, do feel free to ask me for his number.

We paid 1300 yuan for the 12 hrs journey (also Zhao driver had to drive another 3 hrs alone by himself back to Shanghai). The price is not inclusive of lunch and entrance fees to attractions (which is relatively low - about 15-20 yuan each).

On the highway, leaving Shanghai...

We reached a rest stop about an hour later.

Zhao shifu informed us that this place sells the best bakchang and is highly popular.

Though we've already had our breakfast, we didn't wanna miss this.
Among the 3 of us, we share 2 bakchangs. 1 with salted egg yolk, another with loads of pork. Cost around 4.5 - 5 yuan each.

Hangzhou....

Notice how the houses here are multi-storey high. Also, on top of the roof, there's a round metal ball. We asked, it's actually a thunder conductor.

At the city centre...

Turning into West Lake...catching a glimpse of ancient Chinese buildings surrounding the lake.

West Lake, noted as the most renowned feature of Hangzhou, is a must visit for all first time visitors.

Zhao shifu informed us that this century old restaurant called "Lou Wai Lou" is one of the most popular restaurants in HZ.

General Yue Fei's temple.

Hangzhou is well known for its delicate, hand made parasols.
Hence, that's probably why we saw many ppl carrying brollies here (you'll see why later).

I bought a couple of these pretty parasols.

This is where we started our West Lake tour on foot. Well, you can either walk or cycle along the path.

Zhao shifu informed us that he'll meet us in 1.5 hrs' time at the end of our walking tour. He'll be waiting somewhere near Su Dongpo's statue.

1st attraction: West Lake

Piccies are pretty much self explanatory

We saw many couples having heart-to-heart talks along the route. Hz is truly a place of leisure where ppl can slow down and fall in love. West Lake is the place for couples to date la!

The walking tour was never ending. Thanks to the scorching heat, we were exhausted after 45 mins.

This glutinous rice corn tasted pretty different from typical yellow ones. The texture was a lot tougher/drier and not as sweet. 6 yuan each.

I was pretty surprised to see so many locals buying instant lotus roots soup and they were eating while walking.

Tofu soaked in tea, eggs in tea.

Another 30 mins or so to go. It was so hot and humid that I wished I was wearing something skimpier.

Evidence that the weather was unbearable.

Men baring it all (almost).

Yups, Christine's in most of these pix as I was pretending to be snapping her picture. Cannot be so blatantly obvious that i was trying to take those ppl right?

These girls removed their heels/wedges after realising that it's gonna be a looong walk.

Finally!

We've made it to the end of the walk.

Introducing China's famous poet Su Dongpo. He's the guy who gave us the yummilicious Dongpo Pork (braised pork) dish.

2nd attraction: Six Harmonies Pagoda

We nearly pengsan-ed when we saw this flight of stairs. After the 1.5 hrs walk, we weren't that keen you know.

The Six Harmonies (Liuhe) Pagoda is one of the true masterpieces of ancient Chinese architecture.

Visitors can have a spectacular view of the Qiantang River Bridge upon ascending the pagoda.

~Liuhe~
An episode of the Liu He culture series ...

Liuhe keeping down the river tide

The story goes that in ancient time, there was a ferocious Dragon King in the Qiantang river. He set wind blowing and waves rolling so often as to capsize fishing boats and inundate farmlands. The father of a boy called Liuhe was drowned by the tidal wave and his mother swept away. The boy was filled with grief. To keep down the river tide, he threw stones into the river daily, thus violently shaking the Dragon Palace. As a peace offering, the Dragon King offered Liuhe silver and gold. But Liuhe refused and demanded the release of his mother and to stop the tidal wave from harming the ppl again. The Dragon King finally relented. Since then there was peace in the river. To express their gratitude, the locals built a pagoda on the hill, named after Liuhe.

It was closed to 3pm when we were done with Liuhe pagoda.

By the time, most eateries were closed. We were fortunate when Zhao shifu found us a cosy Hokkien stall for lunch.

Zhao shifu said these dumplings are famous Hokkien speciality. I can't remember the name though.

Steamed pork rib rice in bamboo basket.

This is tan mien (noodle in sesame oil and peanut butter sauce). Super delish.





Zhao shifu had a tan mien to go with his duck's tongue.

That was officially the cheapest meal we've paid for this entire trip. We had 3 tan mien, 1 pork rib rice, 1 basket of dumplings and 1 duck's tongue. The total was only 20 yuan!!!!

3rd attraction: Hupao (tiger) Spring.

While at a kiosk to buy more of those mini parasols, we decided to get some ice creams to sooth our throats. It was too darn hot.

Ooh, I really miss the ice creams in China. They're really da bomb!

Zhao shifu told us to taste the spring water here. He said it's really sweet and refreshing.

I heart you too!

What a pretty sight. The girls were actually washing their stockings..hehe..

This is the place to queue for the miracle spring water.

According to the inscription on the plaque, it reads:

"The Tiger Spring is clean and cool. It is a divine spring of Hangzhou." Emperor Qianlong commented after tasting many famous springs in China. He appraised the Tiger Spring as the 3rd in China for its cleanliness and sweet taste. It was recorded that when Emperor Kangxi and Emperor Qianlong visited Hangzhou, they both demanded the water from the Tiger Spring to be brought for their daily use.

It seems that this place is not only a tourist attraction. Many locals come here too, just to collect the spring water for their daily use. Of cos, the locals pay a much lower entrance fee.


Tsk tsk. This old lady was scolding the tourists when they were queueing, she kept pushing and pushing, trying to get to the front of the line.

The tourists didn't do anything wrong, and they were only collecting the water into their water bottle.

But when it was her turn, she took out an entire trolley full of bottles. And the bottles were the size of a cooking oil bottle! I think there were about 5-7 bottles altogether! Look she's even brought her own hose.

No one even dare mutter a word. She's such a bully!

tsktsk tsk...

Our verdicts: The spring water is seriously very sweet and extremely refreshing in the heat.
(p/s: it must be miracle water since everyone's fighting for it :P)




4th attraction: Meijiawu tea plantation.

This place is really cosy, the entire stretch are just rows and rows of teahouses.
Longjing (Dragon Well) tea is one of the city's famous products.

Therefore, no visit to Hangzhou is complete until a trip to the teahouse.

Along the houses, you see many residents playing mahjong in front of their houses. It really does look like a chill and relaxing place. According to Zhao shifu, the ppl here lead a very simple and easy life.




As soon as we arrived, an old lady passed me a bucket and asked me to throw the bucket down the well to fetch some water.

Here, Zhao shifu helping me with the bucket.





Am so thankful that I do work out at the gym. The bucket was damn heavy man!

We were then supposed to wash our faces and hands with the water from the well. Quite a cute ritual.




The old aunty then invited us to her house to try she family's tea.
That's Zhao shifu sitting there.




I can't remember which is the premium Longjing already. One costs 400 yuan for a catty, another costs 600 yuan for a catty. That's the price after bargaining sommore.. Not cheap man!




I bought a box of Longjing for my dad who's a Pu Er lover. I'm not too sure if he likes Longjing though. Oh well, it's the thought that counts.




Longjing tea plantation





5th attraction: Fei Lai Feng (Peak Flown From Afar) and Ling Yin temple.






This creature I'm sitting on is called a Bi Xi.
It is said that Bi Xi is the son of a Dragon and looks like a tortoise. A symbol of longevity and good luck, Bi Xi is known for carrying heavy items. In some memorial temples, tombs, palaces and historical ruin sites, you may find them carrying eminent steles.







More men baring their pork bellies.









On our way to the city centre...

It is very obvious that HZ is so much more a leisurely, rest & relax kind of city as compared to SH.



Couldn't resist taking a picture of the traffic light. There are so many cyclists here that they have their dedicated lights too.




6th attraction: Dunno the name of this lookout point as Zhao shifu just stopped somewhere near the CBD, at a place where we can watch the sunset and take in the view.






The locals with their brollies, waiting to watch the sunset.






If you look hard enough, you'll be able to spot the Liuhe Pagoda.





Off for an early dinner before going to the airport.

HZ is really a Su Dongpo city - from the road signages to the food.

We were determined to try the infamous Dongpo Pork.




Zhao shifu brought us to the best restaurant around town. He said, "Everything here is value for money. The only dish that's expensive is this Fried shrimps with Longjing tea".




HZ speciality dishes

Fried shrimps with Longjing tea

I was kinda disappointed. I expected the prawns to be bigger.

This dish alone was 149 yuan (about RM75). And seriously, there was nothing much to shout about. It was good, but not fantastic. In fact, those salted prawns from Oriental Pavilion are so much better.

We didn't even finish this dish. And we even joked about it, "Look, each piece is Rm1. Better eat up!" LOL!




West Lake fish in Sweet Sour Sauce (vinegar coated fresh fish caught from the lake)

We didn't like the fish for its sandy/soil taste and it had heaps of bones. Well, as what Zhao shifu said, "These dishes, try once will do. The locals will not eat this fish. They'll normally order steamed fish."

Seriously, this will be a dish that i will never try again.



Dongpo Pork (braised pork)

This is da bomb.

It comes in a tiny pot per serving. We had a serving each. Guess what makes this dish so good is the fat. But none of us girls could swallow them fats. So we passed them to the willing Zhao shifu.

9 yuan per pot.






Reached the airport at about 8:30pm and the 3 of us were glad we'll be heading home soon. It was a thoroughly enjoyable trip.

In case I haven't mentioned, it's obvious that the entire China is having the Olympic fever. Heaps and heaps of Olympic souvenirs are on sale everywhere. The gals went crazy buying keychains of the cute mascots.




The glutton in us insisted that we tapau-ed some Mcker's and curi makan whilst on the flight.





Guess what? I managed to grab an embroidered cheongsam 5-10 mins prior to boarding. :)




What fine workmanship. I can't wait to wear this. :)


There, it's done!

Our adventures in Shanghai and Hangzhou - thoroughly documented!! Thank you for faithfully reading this post. ;)