Hangzhou - Day 1

Returned from Wuzhen just in time for lunch.  Our room at the Four Seasons is not yet ready, so the concierge at the hotel recommended lunch at 味莊 which was near the West Lake 西湖.  Food was excellent and after the hearty meal, we went to explore the lake and some nearby sights.

We strolled through parts of West Lake and ended up at Yuefei Temple 岳飛廟 which was built in remembrance of General Yuefei.  I read stories about him when I was little but knew very little about him. So, it was interesting to learn more about his life.  And of course Geoff who was not Chinese educated didn't even know who he was until today!

We walked along the famous Su Causeway 蘇堤, named after the famous 蘇東坡. And from there we rented a little boat for a quick spin around the lake.

We did not get on the Little Yingzhou, the largest island on the West Lake but the boat skirt round the lake and we saw the 2 words carved into the rock. Supposed written by Emperor Qian Long when he visited the island.

One of the three pagodas on the lake. I think they were used to measure water level.

The boat ride was kind of relaxing. 

After our tour of West Lake, we went back to our hotel for a bit of relaxation before dinner.  The Four Seasons is within walking distance from the West Lake but at the same time it is rather secluded. When in the hotel, we felt totally cut off from the huscle and buscle we felt when walking aorund the lake.

For dinner, we were asked to try out 28 HuBin Road which is in Grand Hyatt Regency and serves modernise Hangzhou food. So after a leisurely stroll along another part of the lake and caught the last bit of the musical fountain show, we arrived for dinner.