Praised by Marco Polo as "the most noble and best city in the world", Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province, is regarded as "the heaven in the human world" by most Chinese.

It is especially charming in the spring, with the West Lake and Qiantang River areas alive with tea trees and flowers budding.

There are many scenic spots in the city, like the Temple of Inspired Seclusion (Lingyin Temple), Peak Flying from Afar (Feilai Feng), Pagoda of Six Harmonies, Yue Fei Tomb, and Yellow Dragon Cave. However, the West Lake is the most charming place, with the ribbon-like Bai and Su causeways inside its shores, dividing the lake into five parts.

The West Lake has different scenery in different weather. The Song Dynasty poet Su Shi compared the Lake to Xizi, a beautiful Chinese maiden: "Ripping water shimmering on sunny day; Misty mountains wonder in the rain; Plain or gaily decked out like Xizi; the West Lake is always alluring."

There are ten beautiful scenes by the lake, such as Spring Dawn at Su Causeway, Three Pools Mirroring the Moon, Viewing Fish at Flower Harbour, and Twin Peaks Piercing the Clouds, each hidden in a themed park.

As April and May is the rainy season in the area, the drizzle usually brings fog and mists to the lake, giving the area a tranquil, almost heaven-like feel.

Rather than making a checklist and walking back and forth looking for them, the best way to sightsee is simply to spend a day wandering the circumference of the lake and the causeways, where you can take a ferry to the islands, and see most of the sites.
If you are interested in Buddhism, the Linyin Temple is a must-see place. It is one of the most popular temples in China with thousands of pilgrims crowding inside everyday. The 33.6-metre-high main hall (Sakyamuni Hall) is a masterpiece of ancient building with one story and doubled eaves, and 300 elegant Buddhist stone carvings, the caves on the Peak Flying from Afar represent the highest level of sculpture in Song and Yuan dynasties.