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>>

You’re hungry. It’s Sunday afternoon; you’ve just woken up after a late night or early morning and you need to eat off a wicked headache and put something in your somersaulting stomach. What better choice than something doughy and cheesy? Pizza – ... 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>>

Hangzhou, one of the seven ancient capitals in China, is not only renowned for its beautiful West Lake and luscious greenery but also for its heritage, history and culture – 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>>

Hangzhou cuisine not only has a long famous history, but it is considered one of the eight great cuisines of China, famed for its focuse on fresh delicious flavours. Below we recommend a few of the best places to have Hangzhou cuisine in the city that gives ... 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>>

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>>

Nestled at the westernmost edge of Hangzhou lies a hidden gem waiting for the adventurous traveller to explore. It is Xixi National Wetland Park (Xixi Guojia Shidi Gongyuan 西溪国家湿地公园), a 3.46 square mile wetland preserve, the first and only of its ... Read More>>

Hangzhou is one of China’s major tourist cities and has been accumulating quite a variety of nightlife activities in the past few years. These nightlife activities obviously include the growing list of bars and clubs, but also a number of visually stunning ... 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>>

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>>

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>>

Wondering where you can play tennis or football in Hangzhou? Looking for a great jogging spot other than around West Lake? Then perhaps the answer lies here. On May 1st of this year, Hangzhou’s first recreational theme park opened to the public – Chengbei ... Read More>>

If it wasn’t for West Lake, Hangzhou just wouldn’t be what it is; namely one of the most beautiful cities in China. But it’s not only the lake itself or the numerous historical sites scattered along its banks that makes West Lake such an idyllic spot. ... Read More>>

Air quality and health in China are issues if you plan on living here for an extended period of time. And while Hangzhou’s air quality is excellent compared to many Chinese cities, most foreigners would agree that if they could improve the air quality in ... 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>>

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>>

People love flowers. They brighten up the places where we live and work, help us appreciate nature, provide the sort of aromas that air fresheners simply can’t, and lift our moods. Humanity’s appreciation of flowers is nearly universal, and China is no ... Read More>>

As a foreigner passing through the China, sometimes it’s hard to find good live rock music if you don’t speak Chinese. This isn’t because it doesn’t exist; it is usually because you don't know where to look. Sometimes, travelers lament how China only ... Read More>>

Although one's first impression of Hangzhou upon arriving at the train station and taking in the main tourist attractions around West Lake is that it's quite a bit like Shanghai, only smaller (and with seemingly worse traffic problems thanks to the absence ... Read More>>

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>>

Although Hangzhou has many delicious local specialties and a rich culinary history, a pricey trip to a Western restaurant often fills that occasional void most of us feel at one point or another while in China. However, unfortunately such endeavours often ... Read More>>