Shanghai - Hangzhou Excursion
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With a history that dates back 2,100 years, Hangzhou is one of China 's six historical capital cities. Marco Polo, the famous Italian traveler of the 13th Century, cited Hangzhou as ˇ°the most beautiful and brilliant city in the worldˇ±. Two hours drive from Shanghai, we'll visit some of the most spectaculars historical sites in Hangzhou in this trip: West Lake, considered to be one of China's most beautiful lake, and for the Chinese, a lake laden with literary and historic association. Linyin Temple, one of the biggest temple complexes in China; It is most famous for its "laughing Buddha", and today is an attractive working temple with daily services.
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Long considered one of the scenic wonders of China , covering over three square miles (8 sq km), West Lake (Xi Hu) is situated at the heart of Hangzhou. Surrounded by gentle green hills, the lake's willow-shaded causeways and fragrant cover of lotus blossoms have long been an inspiration for artists. Originally the lake was an inlet of the estuary of the Qiantang River, becoming a lake when the river began to silt up in the 4 th century. The lake had a tendency to flood, so several dykes were built, including the Bai and Su causeways. Hiring a private boat from the eastern shore for an afternoon on the water is highly commended, as is a leisurely stroll along the shady causeways.
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Lingyin Temple is at the hill known as Feilai Feng (The Peak that Flew Here). Founded in AD 326, this temple once housed 3,000 monks who worshipped in more than 70 halls. Though now much reduced in size, it is still one of China's largest temples. The Great Buddha Hall houses an impressive 66-ft (20-m) statue of the Buddha carved in 1956 from camphor wood. The Ligong Pagoda at the entrance was built in honor of the Indian monk, Hui Li, who gave the hill its eccentric name. Hui Li thought it was the spitting image of a hill in India and asked whether it had flown here. Feilai Feng is know for the dozens of Buddhist sculptures carved into the rock, many dating from the 10 th century.
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