Hangzhou, the busy capital of Zhejiang Province  is one of China's industrial powerhouses with a focus on high-tech R&D and production. No wonder Alibaba has its headquarters here.

 

The jade loving Liangzhu culture thrived in the area 5000 years ago. DNA analysis suggests that they are the ancesters to the Austronesians.

 

Being at the southern end of the Grand Canal brought the city to promenence from 600 AD onwards.

 

Marco Polo visited  towards the end of the 13th century and called it the most beautiful city in the world.

 

Hangzhou is packed with historic sites and natural beauty. West Lake is the most popular tourist destination, but there are many more points of interest like Twin Peaks Piercing the Clouds, conveniently reached by cablecar.

 

We visited Hangzhou in October 2003.