On Lively Hefang Street in Hangzhou
Not only is Hangzhou (pronounced "Han-Joe") extremely popular with both Chinese tourists and Westerners but it is also the country's most famous tourist attraction (along with Guilin) for the Chinese. Less than 2 hours by bullet train from Shanghai, a favorite and easy accessible weekend destination for them. Hangzhou was linked with the Grand Canal in 610 AD and Marco Polo passed this way in the 13th century leaving raves behind. The Mongols, Taipings and Cultural Revolution managed to destory most of the city and almost everything remaining has been reconstructed.
Met at the Hangzhou airport by new guide, Mao Mao (pronounced: Mao-mah) and transfered to the Victorian Regal Hotel within walking distance of everything. Newly married Mao Mao has only been guiding for a short time and loves it (not burned out yet). Showed us her wedding pictures and told us that bride and groom traditionally pose for formal portraits six-months before the wedding. The Victorian Regal Hotel has only been opened for four months and is still getting the kinks out. However, it is drop-dead gorgeous with a wonderful staff. They showed us to a third floor room with its own little deck area to sit out on. ...View image
... Not that we had the time and/or inclination to sit outside in the very hot and humid weather without wilting... But we could see the Ching Huang Pavilion, also called "Heavenly Wind at Wushan Hall" lit up a night.
