Chinese massage has a long history going back several thousand years. Affordable massage is also one of the major perks to living in China. If you’re bright enough to put two and two together, you’ve most likely figured out that pink lights and the ... Read More>>

Just visiting Hangzhou or are you a newbie trying to get the lay of the land? Take a peek at the best bars and clubs in our guide to nightlife in the city. Read More>>

Lines of small square tables crowd the street as hungry tourists and locals feast on regional specialties and old favorites amidst shouts of "fuwuyuan!" and bursts of laughter. The food streets of Hangzhou are full of life and boast some truly ... Read More>>

Hangzhou may not be a shopper’s paradise like Shanghai or Hong Kong but it can hold its own in terms of the range of deals and products that you can ultimately find. The traditional staples of Hangzhou commerce include silk and tea. In modern times, ... Read More>>

In Hangzhou, there are bars that rock and there are ones that especially cater to those white collars whose marriages have perhaps hit rock bottom. The bars that rock tend to have good music, a wide range of reasonably priced drinks, and plenty of expert ... Read More>>

Finding a good apartment is difficult, regardless of where you are. Needless to say, finding a good apartment in a foreign country can be a major headache. Before you even start dealing with the issues that occasionally arise from living anywhere (roommate ... Read More>>

Where the Mind Rests: Guang Jue Temple Buddhist Retreat<br /> Nestled in the mountains of rural China lies Guang Jue Temple – a simple sanctuary located just one and a half hours outside the city of ... Read More>>

Are you looking for a new hobby? Do you want to meet new people and make new friends? Then why not take up salsa dancing. Work those legs and get seriously fit in no time! Read More>>

As more and more foreigners and Chinese in Hangzhou require their early-morning coffee jolt, more and more coffee shops are popping up to fill that demand; however, not all of these are the ubiquitous Starbucks, C. Straits, or even McCafés. Hangzhou has ... Read More>>

The cinema market hasn't been expanding as much as it should in Hangzhou. Except for the UME International Cineplex, which is part of a better known cinema franchise in China, all other movie venues in the city are locally managed. But to accommodate for ... Read More>>

Eggs. Bacon. Home fries. Sausage. Toast with jam. I don't know about you but simply reading these words makes my mouth water. I am what you may call a "breakfast person" and until recently, I was bitter about the slim pickings of Western ... Read More>>

Expats can say what they like about Chinese food: it is sometimes mysterious, and even risky – but nevertheless it’s generally delicious and inexpensive. It’s also intimidating to cook, especially for those of us who haven’t been properly initiated. I ... Read More>>

The Hangzhou metro opened in November 2012 and at the moment, only Line 1 is operational. So, what is there to see and do on the newly-launched metro? Let’s take a look at some places of interest along the way. Read More>>

It didn't take me long before I started to crave a really good, juicy burger. I tried asking for guidance from Chinese friends and they all pointed me towards the world-famous chains (McDonald’s, KFC, Burger King) scattered around Hangzhou. When I told ... Read More>>

Hangzhou is a city of water, and it is on the water is where you can really experience the charm of Hangzhou. The Grand Canal, West Lake, and the Qiantang River all offer nightly cruises. From paddle boats and canal boats to cruise ships, each ship can ... Read More>>

So you’ve just arrived in beautiful Hangzhou for your term studying abroad at Zhejiang University. You’re tired and a bit overwhelmed by everything around the Yuquan campus and don’t know where to get toilet paper. If you’re anything like I was as a ... Read More>>

Dotted with hundreds of small islands, a trip to Qiandao Lake (千岛湖) in Chun''an County is a relaxing break from bustling Hangzhou. The lake itself, despite being artificial, covers over five hundred sq. m. The area is particularly beautiful from ... Read More>>

So now that you’ve acquired a bicycle, whether it’s yours or a rental, the question you may have is where do I go with it? The most obvious answer is West Lake. This is what people come to Hangzhou for, and where the vast majority of the bicycle tour ... Read More>>

Zhejiang is famous for its ancient-water towns with romantic canal-ridded streets that any traveler in China should consider visiting. We take a look at the top three sites around the province. Read More>>

There is no shortage of Asian cuisine in Hangzhou,that much is obvious. However, not all of us want to eat Chinese food day in, day out. So without further ado, let’s look at the restaurants that can sate our urges for something that little bit different. Read More>>

A 10,000 square metre water playing area for children, a 6,000 square metre giant wave pool, massive water slides, swings, a water and fog forest, pirates and crocodiles– all this and much, much more awaits energetic water fans of all ages at the Hangzhou ... Read More>>

It has been a long day, perhaps even a long week, for many.. You feel overworked and underpaid. If you find this description suits you, keep reading. This article will tell you more about two words everybody on a low budget salary loves to hear: “Happy ... Read More>>

If, like me, you have exhausted your home supply of English literature and are not yet up to speed on Chinese characters, then finding a good English language book to read is a necessity in this foreign city. Hangzhou is a city famous for its breathtaking ... Read More>>

With more than 700 teahouses, Hangzhou is a tea-lover's paradise. It's hard to find a better backdrop for your tea-sipping (or dim-sum-ing) experience than the famous West Lake. Take a stroll along its banks and neighboring roads and you're guaranteed to ... Read More>>