Xianghu Lake, located in the western part of Xiaoshan District, Hangzhou, faces West Lake across the Qiantang River and is known as West Lake's "sister lake." While not as famous as West Lake, it boasts a more tranquil, expansive, and historically rich character, making it another lake in Hangzhou worth slowing down and savoring. If West Lake represents Hangzhou's refinement and prosperity, then Xianghu Lake represents its cultural depth and leisurely pace.
Natural Scenery – Lakes and Mountains, Showcasing Wild Charm
**Extensive Waters:** Xianghu Lake's surface shimmers, surrounded by mountains. Numerous dikes, bridges, and islands dot the lake, creating a rich and layered landscape.
**Ancient Canoe:** A landmark of Xianghu Lake, a life-size sculpture of a dugout canoe stands on the lakeshore, symbolizing the lake's long history.
**Cross-Lake Bridge:** A landmark bridge of Xianghu Lake, serving as a vital link between the two sides. Its simple and elegant design blends seamlessly with the surrounding scenery.
**Yue Causeway:** Built to commemorate the Yue Kingdom, this 900-meter-long causeway features several antique-style stone bridges. Strolling along it offers panoramic views of Xianghu Lake.
**Lake and Mountain Square:** The core square area of Xianghu Lake, frequently hosting various cultural events and festivals. It's also a vantage point for viewing the musical fountain.
**Musical Fountain:** At night, Xianghu Lake's large-scale musical fountain is an unmissable visual feast. Water jets dance to the music, transforming into various shapes, combined with lighting effects, creating a truly breathtaking spectacle.
Humanities and History – Kuahuqiao Culture, the Dawn of Chinese Civilization
This is the most unique and core historical heritage of Xianghu Lake, predating any legend of West Lake.
Kuahuqiao Site: Located within the Xianghu Scenic Area, this Neolithic site dates back approximately 8,000 years. Its discovery pushed back the history of civilization in Zhejiang by a full millennium.
Kuahuqiao Site Museum: A museum built on the site itself, it is a work of art. Its exterior resembles a giant dugout canoe, making it highly recognizable.
Treasure of the Museum – China's First Canoe: The museum displays a dugout canoe unearthed from the Kuahuqiao Site. Dating back approximately 8,000 years, this canoe is one of the oldest dugout canoes in the world, hailed as "China's First Canoe." It is an important witness to the history of maritime civilization in China and even the world. You can observe this national treasure up close and feel the wisdom and courage of prehistoric people.
Leisure and Vacation – Modern Quality Living
Polar Ocean Park: Located near Xianghu Lake, it's a popular choice for family trips, offering views of various marine life and performances.
Kaiyuan Senbo Resort: A large, one-stop resort complex featuring a heated water park, children's playground, and unique holiday homes, perfect for family leisure vacations.
Hangzhou Paradise: A large theme park with a variety of thrilling rides.
Lakeside Cycling and Walking: Xianghu Lake boasts well-developed greenways and walking trails. Renting a bicycle or taking a leisurely stroll, breathing in the fresh air, is an excellent way to relax and rejuvenate.
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Voltage and socket
The standard voltage in China is 220V. The commonly used socket shape is as shown in the picture. Most luxury hotel rooms are equipped with universal sockets, and tourists can also rent socket adapters at the hotel front desk.
Make a phone call
When a foreign mobile phone dials a Chinese fixed-line phone in China, it is necessary to dial the China area code (+86) and the city area code (e.g. Beijing +10) before the fixed-line phone number to be dialed.
When a foreign mobile phone dials a Chinese mobile number, it is necessary to dial the Chinese area code (+86) before the mobile number of the person being called.
Emergency call:
Call the police: 110
Fire emergency: 119
Traffic police: 122
Emergency: 120
Purchase a SIM card for a Chinese mobile phone
At major airports serving as ports of entry in China, there are designated counters for communication service providers, such as China Mobile and China Unicom. Foreign tourists can purchase SIM cards for Chinese mobile phones simply by presenting their passports.
Traffic safety tips
In China, all vehicles drive on the right side of the road, and both drivers and passengers must wear seat belts.
Health and medical tips
It is recommended to bring along commonly used medications (such as painkillers or gastrointestinal medications). If you need to take prescribed medication for an extended period, it is advisable to prepare sufficient quantities before departure and carry along doctor's certification documents, medical records, etc.
It is recommended to visit the international medical department of a general hospital or a foreign-funded hospital for treatment, as they generally provide medical services in English.
It is recommended to purchase relevant insurance before departure, and properly keep diagnosis certificates, outpatient medical records, fee lists, prescriptions, invoices, etc.
Cultural taboo
China is a multi-ethnic country, and there are significant differences in customs and habits among various ethnic groups. Especially when traveling in ethnic minority areas, it is important to pay attention to cultural taboos, such as taking off shoes when entering a Dai bamboo house, avoiding pork in Hui restaurants, and treating Buddhist statues, scriptures, and beads as sacred objects that must not be touched. It is recommended to listen carefully to the pre-trip introduction provided by the accompanying personnel and respect local culture and customs.
