Hangzhou (杭州)

1. Introduction

Hangzhou, abbreviated as Hang, is a prefecture-level city, the provincial capital, and a sub-provincial city of Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China. It serves as the political, economic, cultural, scientific, educational, financial center, and transportation hub of Zhejiang Province. Hangzhou is a national megacity, an important central city in China's eastern region, a national innovation center for the digital economy, and the core city of the Hangzhou Metropolitan Circle. Located in the southeastern coastal area of China, in the northern part of Zhejiang Province, at the lower reaches of the Qiantang River, and at the southern end of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, Hangzhou boasts a long history.

Hangzhou has a rich history, with human activities dating back to the Neolithic period, traceable to the Kuahuqiao site in Xiaoshan, Hangzhou, which dates back approximately 8,000 years. The Liangzhu site in Yuhang, Hangzhou, which exhibits early urban characteristics, provides important evidence for China's 5,000-year civilization. Since the establishment of a county administration during the Qin Dynasty, Hangzhou has had over 2,200 years of administrative history. It served as the capital of the Wuyue Kingdom and the Southern Song Dynasty. Renowned for its scenic beauty, prosperity, and livability, Hangzhou has long been celebrated as a "Paradise on Earth." As early as the Southern Song Dynasty, the scholar Fan Chengda recorded the proverb "Above is heaven, below are Suzhou and Hangzhou" in his work Gazetteer of Wu Prefecture. The Travels of Marco Polo, which describes China during the Yuan Dynasty, praised Hangzhou as "the finest and most splendid city in the world." Hangzhou is one of the first batch of nationally designated historical and cultural cities and a key national scenic and tourist city. The city is rich in cultural landscapes, including the West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Other famous scenic areas include Xixi Wetland and Xianghu Lake. Around West Lake, there are numerous historical sites such as Wenlan Pavilion and Xiling Seal Engravers' Society. The suburban counties also feature attractions like Qiandao Lake and Tianmu Mountain. Hangzhou successfully hosted the G20 Summit in 2016, the World Short Course Swimming Championships in 2018, and the Asian Games in 2023. The Municipal People's Government is located at No. 18 Jiefang East Road, Shangcheng District.

2. Origin of the Name

Hangzhou was historically known as "Yuhang", "Lin'an", "Qiantang", "Wulin", among others. Its current name "Hangzhou" first appeared during the Sui Dynasty, derived from the character "Hang" in Yuhang County, and the Qiantang Commandery where the county was located was renamed Hangzhou. This name has been passed down and used to this day. According to ancient texts such as Jun Guo Zhi (Records of Commanderies and States), the origin of "Hang" is said to be that Yu the Great once moored his boat here, hence the place was called "Yu Hang" (Yu's Voyage), which later evolved homophonically into "Yuhang". However, Qing Dynasty scholar Li Ciming believed that "Yu Hang" was a later fabrication. He argued that the character "Yu" (余), like "Wu" (无) in "Wuxi" and "Gou" (勾) in "Gou Wu", was actually a prefix in the ancient Wu-Yue language, commonly found in place names of Jiangsu and Zhejiang. Another theory suggests that "Hang" means a ferry crossing, and Hangzhou was a key transportation hub connecting eastern and western Zhejiang.

3. History

Human activity in Hangzhou dates back to the Neolithic period: the Kuahuqiao site in Xiaoshan, Hangzhou, is estimated to be 8,000 years old and is the earliest known Neolithic cultural relic discovered in Zhejiang Province.

The Liangzhu Culture, centered in present-day Hangzhou, was one of China's Neolithic cultures existing from approximately 5300 to 4200 years ago. It was distributed in the Taihu Lake region of the lower Yangtze River basin, with its center at the Liangzhu site in Hangzhou. This site was discovered in 1936 and named in 1959. Like the Majiabang and Maqiao cultures, the archaeological sites of the Liangzhu Culture are distributed around the Taihu Lake area. The most distinctive feature of this cultural site is the unearthed jade artifacts, including bi (discs), cong (tubes), yue (axes), huang (pendants), crown-shaped objects, three-pronged jade objects, jade bracelets, jade tubes, jade beads, jade pendants, cylindrical jade objects, conical jade objects, jade belts, rings, etc. Among them, the round disc-shaped jade is called "bi," and the columnar jade is called "cong." Additionally, the pottery is quite refined. The Liangzhu Culture disappeared suddenly after lasting over a thousand years. Archaeologist Zhao Zhijun from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences speculates that this was caused by over-reliance on a single grain crop, rice.

In November 2007, the Hangzhou Municipal Government and the Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Heritage Bureau announced the significant discovery of the Liangzhu Ancient City site. Covering a total area of approximately 2.9 million square meters, it is currently the largest and most architecturally advanced ancient city site from its period discovered in China, earning the title "China's First City." The Liangzhu civilization strongly challenges the theory that Chinese civilization originated solely in the Central Plains and provides physical evidence supporting the 5,000-year history of Chinese civilization recorded in ancient Chinese texts. Hangzhou currently has the Liangzhu Museum dedicated to exhibiting artifacts and materials related to the Liangzhu Culture. This "Liangzhu Museum" was renamed and expanded after relocating from the original Liangzhu Museum, which opened in 1994.

3.1 Qin to Five Dynasties

In 222 BC, after the Qin state conquered the Chu state, Qiantang County and Yuhang County were initially established, both belonging to Kuaiji Commandery. During the Western Han Dynasty, they were under the jurisdiction of Kuaiji Commandery, whose seat was in Wu County (present-day Suzhou, Jiangsu Province), primarily governing the areas south of the Yangtze River, including present-day Zhejiang and Fujian provinces. Later, as the population increased in the northern plains of Kuaiji Commandery and natural conditions were gradually improved, the northern part of Kuaiji Commandery was separated during the Eastern Han Dynasty to establish an independent commandery named "Wu Commandery."

During the Southern Dynasties, Linjiang Commandery and Qiantang Commandery were successively established. In the ninth year of the Kaihuang era of Emperor Wen of Sui (589 AD), the Sui Dynasty conquered the Southern Chen and first changed the name to Hangzhou, beginning the construction of city walls, marking the origin of the name Hangzhou. Subsequently, Emperor Yang of Sui excavated the Jiangnan Canal from Jingkou (present-day Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province) to Hangzhou, spanning over 800 li. Hangzhou gradually became a hub of water and land transportation, acquiring the conditions to become a major metropolis. During the Tang Dynasty, to avoid a naming taboo, Qiantang was changed to Qiantang. Hangzhou Prefect Li Bi and the poet Bai Juyi dug wells, built embankments, and dredged West Lake within the city, improving the living environment. The population of Hangzhou increased rapidly, and it gradually became a renowned prefecture in the southeast.

In 923, Qian Liu established the Wuyue Kingdom, with its capital in Hangzhou, marking the first time Hangzhou became the capital of a regime. The Wuyue Kingdom revered Buddhism and pursued a policy of "protecting the borders and pacifying the people." Hangzhou also became the political and economic center of all Zhejiang and surrounding areas. Most of Hangzhou's famous pagodas (such as Baochu Pagoda, Leifeng Pagoda, and White Pagoda) were built during this period. Hangzhou also retains the King Qian Temple commemorating Qian Liu, now located near one of the Ten Scenes of West Lake, Orioles Singing in the Willows, beside the West Lake Museum.

3.2 Song Dynasty

In the third year of the Zhidao era of the Northern Song Dynasty (997 AD), the Liangzhe Circuit was established, with Hangzhou as its administrative seat. Su Shi and others undertook large-scale water conservancy projects, dredging West Lake, making Hangzhou more prosperous and West Lake more beautiful. Emperor Renzong of Song praised it as "a land with beautiful lakes and mountains, the premier prefecture of the southeast." Liu Yong's line in "Gazing at the Tide" — "A scenic wonder in the southeast, a metropolis of the Three Wu regions, Qiantang has been prosperous since ancient times" — also refers to Hangzhou. Hangzhou during the Northern Song period also saw significant development in science and technology. During the Qingli era, Hangzhou native Bi Sheng invented clay movable-type printing. Shen Kuo, author of Dream Pool Essays and a pioneering scientist of the time, was also from Hangzhou.

The Southern Song Dynasty represented the peak of ancient Hangzhou's development. After the Jin troops moved south and Emperor Gaozong of Song crossed the river south, Hangzhou was elevated to Lin'an Prefecture in the third year of the Jianyan era (1129 AD) and was referred to as the "temporary capital." Starting from the eighth year of the Shaoxing era (1138 AD), Hangzhou became the de facto capital of the Song Dynasty. Hangzhou was the political, economic, and cultural center of the Southern Song. Large numbers of people from the north migrated south to Hangzhou, making it the most populous city in the world at that time. According to the Xianchun Lin'an Annals, the population of Lin'an Prefecture had reached over 1.24 million people. The literati, scholars, and skilled craftsmen among the northern immigrants promoted the economic and cultural development of Hangzhou. Among these, silk, papermaking, printing, ceramics, and shipbuilding were particularly developed.

3.3 Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties

In 1276, after the Mongol Yuan occupied Hangzhou, the city largely maintained its original appearance. However, the Southern Song imperial palace was burned down the following year due to a civilian fire. Lin'an Prefecture was renamed Hangzhou Route and became the administrative seat of the Jiangzhe Branch Secretariat, marking the beginning of Hangzhou's role as a provincial capital. The Italian traveler Marco Polo visited Hangzhou and called it the "most beautiful and magnificent" "City of Heaven" in the world. In the late Yuan Dynasty, Zhang Shicheng raised troops and captured Hangzhou, rebuilding the city walls and opening new canals, establishing the outline of the Hangzhou urban area for the following centuries. In 1366, Zhu Yuanzhang captured Hangzhou.

During the Ming Dynasty, Hangzhou Route was changed to Hangzhou Prefecture, serving as the seat of the Zhejiang Branch Secretariat and the Zhejiang Provincial Administration Commission. In the Qing Dynasty, it was still called Hangzhou Prefecture and served as the capital of Zhejiang Province. After the Qing army conquered Hangzhou in 1645, they enclosed civilian houses from Qiantang Gate to Yongjin Gate in the western part of the city to use as military camps, forcing the original residents to relocate outside the city. In 1650, they built a walled city within the city: the Hangzhou Garrison City, commonly known as the "Banner Camp," to separate the Banner people from Han Chinese residents. The garrison city had a circumference of 4.9 km (over 9 Chinese li) and covered an area of over 7,000 mu, accounting for 13% of Hangzhou's total area. The office of the Hangzhou General was located in the southwestern part. Five gates were opened, with the southern Yanling Gate and southeastern Yingzi Gate adjacent to commercial districts, and the eastern wall adjacent to the main north-south thoroughfare running through Hangzhou. The garrisoned Banner people enjoyed many privileges.

In the 1860s, Hangzhou became a strategic point repeatedly contested between the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and Qing forces, suffering great destruction. The Wenlan Pavilion, which housed the Complete Library of the Four Treasuries, was also destroyed in the war. There is a claim that the Qing Dynasty traveling palace on Solitary Hill (present-day Zhongshan Park) was also destroyed at this time, though this is disputed. In the 21st year of the Guangxu era of the Qing Dynasty (1895), the Treaty of Shimonoseki was signed, opening Hangzhou as a treaty port. The following year, a trading settlement and a Japanese Concession were established in the Gongchen Bridge area, each covering approximately 48 hectares. The Japanese Concession was to the north and the trading settlement to the south, separated by a moat. In 1907, Hangzhou completed the Jiang-Shu Railway, running from Zha Kou by the Qiantang River in the south, northward along the eastern city wall to Gongchen Bridge. In 1909, the Shanghai-Hangzhou Railway was opened from Genshanmen Station, soon rerouted to move the station inside the city wall, becoming the City Station. On November 5, 1911, the New Army revolted, captured Zhejiang Governor Zeng Yun, and subsequently besieged the Manchu Hangzhou Garrison City, ending Hangzhou's imperial era.

During the Ming and Qing periods, handicraft industries in Hangzhou developed rapidly. Besides silk, famous specialty products emerged, such as Zhang Xiaoquan scissors, Wang Xingji fans, Kong Fengchun cosmetics, Hu Qing Yu Tang medicinal pills, Mao Yuanchang eyeglasses, and Shao Zhiyan brush shops. These old-established brands are still in operation today. Additionally, the establishment of academies flourished, with famous ones like Chongwen Academy, Fuwen Academy, Ziyang Academy, Gujing Jingshe, and Qiushi Academy (the predecessor of Zhejiang University). During the Zhengde era of the Ming Dynasty, Hangzhou Prefect Yang Mengying dredged West Lake, restoring its former appearance. Emperors Kangxi and Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty toured Hangzhou multiple times and paid great attention to West Lake. Emperor Kangxi also inscribed tablets for the Ten Scenes of West Lake.

3.4 Republican Era

After the establishment of the Republic of China, Hang County was established from the former territories of Qiantang and Renhe counties (the two attached counties within the former Hangzhou Prefecture city), serving as the capital of Zhejiang Province. In 1913, the Manchu Hangzhou Garrison City was confiscated and demolished, followed by the construction of a crisscrossing network of modern roads called the "New Market." Among them, the north-south Yanling Road (present-day Yan'an Road) and the east-west Yingzi Road (present-day western section of Jiefang Road) rapidly developed into the emerging commercial center of modern Hangzhou. Subsequently, Hangzhou became a battleground for warlord conflicts. In 1927, Hangzhou City was established. In 1937, Hangzhou completed its first modern bridge designed and built by Chinese people — the Qiantang River Bridge. Later, to hinder the Japanese invasion, the newly completed bridge was blown up under the guidance of its designer, Mao Yisheng. On December 24, 1937, Japanese troops occupied Hangzhou. Before the city fell, two major evacuations were conducted. After the fall, fewer than 100,000 people remained, mostly impoverished households. Notably, Zhejiang University President Zhu Kezhen led the faculty and students to relocate westward, operating schools in places like Ji'an, Jiangxi; Yishan, Guangxi; Longquan, Lishui; and Zunyi, Guizhou. After the occupation, the city suffered some destruction. The 88th Division Monument to the Battle of Shanghai (completed in 1935) by West Lake was toppled. There is a claim that the Qing Dynasty traveling palace on Solitary Hill (present-day Zhongshan Park) was destroyed at this time. During the occupation, the original 8 districts were changed to 7 districts. During the occupation of Hangzhou, massacres such as the Qiaosi Massacre and the Wuchaoshan Tragedy occurred. During the War of Resistance against Japan, the city suffered nearly 55,000 casualties, with over 30,000 fatalities. Major anti-Japanese battles within the present-day Hangzhou area included the "August 14" air battle in the Jianqiao area in 1937, the Gaoling battles (the first in December 1937, the second from October to November 1943) in the Tianmu Mountain area defending the National Government's Western Zhejiang Administrative Office, the Zhejiang-Jiangxi Campaign from May to September 1942, and various guerrilla warfare operations.During the Second Chinese Civil War, after the Crossing the Yangtze Campaign, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of the Chinese Communist Party approached Hangzhou in May 1949. From April 30 to May 6, the Jinxiao Detachment of the PLA's Eastern Zhejiang Guerrilla Column successively captured surrounding counties such as Fenshui, Xindeng, Tonglu, and Lin'an. On May 2, the headquarters of the PLA's 21st Army arrived in Yuhang County, deciding that the 61st Division would capture the urban area, the 62nd Division would cut through the Qiantang River Bridge, and the 63rd Division would capture Xiaoshan. The following day, the 21st Army successfully captured Hangzhou, and later that same day, the 23rd Army, having concluded the Langguang Campaign, also entered the city.

3.5 Republican Era

After the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1, 1949, Hangzhou entered the era of the People's Republic. In 1949, the city's GDP (calculated at current prices, same below) was only 255 million yuan, with a per capita GDP of less than 90 yuan; the city's total industrial output value was 141 million yuan. The "Great Leap Forward," the People's Commune Movement, and the decade-long Cultural Revolution from the 1950s to the 1970s caused significant damage and losses to Hangzhou's various construction projects. By 1978, the city's GDP was 2.84 billion yuan, only 2.14 times higher than in 1957. However, some industrial enterprises newly built or expanded during the "Great Leap Forward" were improved and strengthened after reorganization and transformation, forming industrial zones such as the steel and machinery industry in Banshan, the light and textile industry in Gongchen Bridge, the electronic instrument industry in Gudang, the food industry outside Wangjiangmen, and the chemical industry in Longshan, Xiaoshan. During the Cultural Revolution, power struggles and armed conflicts occurred in Hangzhou, such as the Hangzhou Incident in 1975.

After the reform and opening-up in 1978, Hangzhou, like the rest of the country, began to develop rapidly, attracting substantial foreign direct investment and establishing joint ventures, cooperative enterprises, and wholly foreign-owned enterprises. From 1978 to 1985, Hangzhou's GDP grew at an average annual rate of 15.2%, significantly higher than the 7.2% average annual growth rate of the previous 29 years; the total industrial output value grew at an average annual rate of 18.7%.

In 1982, Hangzhou was designated as a national key scenic tourist city and a national historical and cultural city. In 1994, it became a sub-provincial city. In 2001, to realize the vision of "building a metropolis and creating a new paradise," the nearby county-level cities of Xiaoshan and Yuhang were merged into Hangzhou as municipal districts, significantly increasing Hangzhou's area and population. In 2005, Hangzhou became a regional central city in East China. In 2017, Hangzhou's GDP reached 1.2556 trillion yuan, ranking 10th nationally and fourth among provincial capitals (after Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Wuhan), with a per capita GDP of 132,700 yuan. Hangzhou is now a renowned city rich in cultural and historical relics and has ranked first in the "China's Happiest Cities" list for nine consecutive years. However, in recent years, Hangzhou has faced numerous problems and "urban ailments" such as excessively high housing prices, excessive vehicles, severe traffic congestion, and increasing air pollution, which have profoundly affected the quality of life of Hangzhou residents and diminished the city's reputation.

On September 16, 2015, at the 34th General Assembly of the Olympic Council of Asia held in Ashgabat, Hangzhou successfully bid to host the 19th Asian Games in 2022 on behalf of China, making it the third Chinese city after Beijing and Guangzhou to host the Asian Games. In September 2016, the G20 Leaders' Summit was held at the Hangzhou International Expo Center, marking the first time China hosted the G20 Summit. The summit adopted the "G20 Leaders' Hangzhou Summit Communiqué," achieving multiple "Hangzhou Consensus" goals to foster an innovative, invigorated, interconnected, and inclusive world economy. The Hangzhou municipal government also seized this opportunity to vigorously improve the city's appearance and enhance its international standing. Originally scheduled for 2022, the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou were postponed to September 23–October 8, 2023, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hangzhou aims to leverage this event to build itself into an "international sports city," attracting more sporting events to the city.

4. Geography

Hangzhou is located in the northern part of Zhejiang Province, bordering Hangzhou Bay to the east. The province's largest river, the Qiantang River, flows from southwest to northeast through most of the city's area. Moving clockwise, it borders the prefecture-level cities of Shaoxing, Jinhua, Quzhou, Huangshan (Anhui), Xuancheng (Anhui), Huzhou, and Jiaxing. The total land area is 16,850 square kilometers, with the urban area covering 8,289 square kilometers. The city's geographical coordinates range from 29°11′N to 30°34′N latitude and 118°20′E to 120°37′E longitude.

Situated on the southern edge of the Yangtze River Delta and the lower reaches of the Qiantang River basin, Hangzhou features complex and diverse topography. The western, central, and southern parts of Hangzhou belong to the hilly region of western Zhejiang, with major mountain ranges including Tianmu Mountain, Baiji Mountain, Yuling, Qianligang, and Longmen Mountain. Several peaks exceed 1,500 meters in elevation, with the city's highest point being Qingliang Peak (1,787 meters) on Baiji Mountain. The eastern part lies within the North Zhejiang Plain (comprising the Hangjiahu Plain and Ningshao Plain), characterized by low, flat terrain at altitudes of only 3–6 meters, a dense network of rivers and lakes, and larger water bodies such as the Qiantang River, East Tiaoxi River, and the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. Major water bodies include West Lake, Chun'an County's Xin'an River Reservoir ("Thousand Island Lake"), and Lin'an District's Qingshan Lake Reservoir, embodying the typical "Jiangnan water town" features. Of the city's total land area, mountains and hills account for 65.6%, plains for 26.4%, and various water bodies collectively for 8%, leading to the saying "seven parts mountains, one part water, and two parts farmland."

Climate

Hangzhou has a humid subtropical monsoon climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa), featuring hot, rainy summers and mild, drier winters. The four seasons are distinct, with shorter spring and autumn and longer winter and summer, summer being the longest—more than twice the length of the shortest autumn. Spring warming in Hangzhou begins around the "Awakening of Insects" solar term, yet cold air intrusions remain frequent, resulting in rapid shifts between cold and warm. Early summer brings the muggy, humid Meiyu (plum rain) season, whose duration and rainfall vary significantly from year to year, typically starting in mid-June and ending in mid-July. This is followed by the hot, dry midsummer "Fu" drought period, which also coincides with the peak typhoon season; the number and intensity of typhoon impacts also show considerable annual variation. From around the "Frost's Descent" solar term until the following spring, the area is predominantly influenced by winter monsoons. Autumn has the least precipitation, often featuring clear, pleasant "autumn high and air crisp" weather. Winter is mainly sunny and cold, occasionally affected by cold waves. Snowfall shows a decreasing trend year by year, with the average first snow date around December 27, an average of 9.4 snow days per year, an average annual maximum snow depth of 6 cm, and a historical snow depth record of 31 cm set during the 2008 snow disaster.

Hangzhou's Climatic Season Division (Long-term Average) | | Spring | Summer | Autumn | Winter | |------|------------|------------|------------|------------| | Start Date | Mar 9 | May 16 | Oct 3 | Dec 2 | | Season Length | 68 days | 140 days | 60 days | 97 days |

Hangzhou's annual average temperature is 17.5°C, showing a warming trend, with all years since the 21st century exceeding 17°C; 2021 and 2023 both reached highs of 18.8°C. The average annual precipitation is 1,483.3 mm, with an average of 146.9 rainy days per year (approximately 40% of the year). Precipitation is concentrated during the flood season from May to September, varying greatly annually, with the wettest year receiving 2.5 times the precipitation of the driest. Heavy rain events (24-hour precipitation ≥ 50 mm) are most likely during the Meiyu season and typhoon impacts, with the frequency of extreme precipitation increasing yearly. The maximum daily precipitation record is 246.4 mm (set on October 7, 2013, by Typhoon Fitow). The average annual sunshine duration is 1,644.8 hours, also showing significant annual variation, indicating unstable solar energy resources.

Hangzhou's summers are hot, with high-temperature events (≥35°C) occurring frequently and showing a gradually increasing trend. Along with Fuzhou and Chongqing, it is referred to by China Meteorological Channel and the public as one of the new "Three Furnaces." The urban area averages 33 high-temperature days per year. Before the 21st century, extreme highs above 40°C were not recorded; since the first occurrence in 2003, there have been a total of 37 such days. During the 2013 summer heatwave in southern China, Hangzhou was severely affected, experiencing 14 days with maximum temperatures exceeding 40°C. In the summer of 2022, an even more severe heatwave hit, setting multiple historical records: 35 consecutive high-temperature days, 59 high-temperature days for the year, and an extreme high of 41.8°C.

Furthermore, considering the entire Hangzhou municipality, the northwestern Tianmu Mountain area and the northeastern Qiantang River estuary, influenced by Hangzhou Bay, contribute to vertical zonality and regional climatic differences across the city. Even within the central urban area, distinct local microclimates exist due to the influence of West Lake, the hills around West Lake, and Banshan.

Hangzhou Meteorological Data (Average data from 1991–2020, Extreme data from 1951–present) | Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | |-------------------------|------------|------------|------------|------------|------------|-------------|-------------|-------------|-------------|------------|-----------|-----------|----------------| | Record high °C (°F) | 25.4 (77.7)| 28.5 (83.3)| 32.8 (91.0)| 35.1 (95.2)| 37.6 (99.7)| 39.7 (103.5)| 41.3 (106.3)| 41.9 (107.4)| 38.7 (101.7)| 38.4 (101.1)| 31.5 (88.7)| 26.5 (79.7)| 41.9 (107.4) | | Average high °C (°F) | 8.6 (47.5) | 11.2 (52.2)| 15.9 (60.6)| 22.1 (71.8)| 26.9 (80.4)| 29.2 (84.6) | 34.0 (93.2) | 33.4 (92.1) | 28.7 (83.7) | 23.6 (74.5) | 17.7 (63.9)| 11.3 (52.3)| 21.9 (71.4) | | Daily mean °C (°F) | 5.3 (41.5) | 7.1 (44.8) | 11.1 (52.0)| 17.0 (62.6)| 22.0 (71.6)| 25.0 (77.0) | 29.3 (84.7) | 28.7 (83.7) | 24.5 (76.1) | 19.3 (66.7) | 13.3 (55.9)| 7.4 (45.3) | 17.5 (63.5) |5 | | Average low °C (°F) | 2.4 | 4 | 7.6 | 12.9 | 18 | 21.8 | 25.6 | 25.4 | 21.4 | 15.8 | 10 | 4.3 | 14.1 | | | -36.3 | -39.2 | -45.7 | -55.2 | -64.4 | -71.2 | -78.1 | -77.7 | -70.5 | -60.4 | -50 | -39.7 | -57.4 | | Average minimum °C (°F) | −3.5 | −1.7 | 1.3 | 6.3 | 12.6 | 17.5 | 21.9 | 21.6 | 16.7 | 9.9 | 3.1 | −2.4 | −4.3 | | | -25.7 | -28.9 | -34.3 | -43.3 | -54.7 | -63.5 | -71.4 | -70.9 | -62.1 | -49.8 | -37.6 | -27.7 | -24.3 | | Record low °C (°F) | −8.6 | −9.6 | −3.5 | 0.2 | 7.3 | 12.8 | 17.3 | 18.2 | 12 | 1 | −3.6 | −8.4 | −9.6 | | | -16.5 | -14.7 | -25.7 | -32.4 | -45.1 | -55 | -63.1 | -64.8 | -53.6 | -33.8 | -25.5 | -16.9 | -14.7 | | Average precipitation mm (inches) | 93.3 | 89.8 | 136.5 | 113.7 | 125.9 | 262.6 | 165.7 | 173.1 | 114.3 | 73.6 | 75.2 | 59.7 | 1,483.40 | | | -3.67 | -3.54 | -5.37 | -4.48 | -4.96 | -10.34 | -6.52 | -6.81 | -4.5 | -2.9 | -2.96 | -2.35 | -58.4 | | Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) | 12.4 | 11.5 | 15 | 13.8 | 13.3 | 15.4 | 12.2 | 13.7 | 11.2 | 8.1 | 10.6 | 9.7 | 146.9 | | Average snowy days | 4.2 | 3 | 0.6 | trace | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.3 | 1.3 | 9.4 | | Average relative humidity (%) | 74 | 73 | 72 | 70 | 71 | 79 | 73 | 75 | 76 | 73 | 75 | 72 | 74 | | Average afternoon relative humidity (%) | 54 | 53 | 50 | 47 | 48 | 59 | 53 | 54 | 55 | 51 | 54 | 51 | 52 | | Monthly mean sunshine hours | 95.4 | 93.6 | 120 | 146.4 | 161.5 | 118.3 | 206.3 | 189.6 | 139.7 | 141.2 | 118.3 | 114.5 | 1,644.80 | | Daily mean sunshine hours | 3.1 | 3.3 | 3.9 | 4.9 | 5.2 | 3.9 | 6.7 | 6.1 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 3.9 | 3.7 | 4.5 |

Source: China Meteorological Administration (Note: "Afternoon relative humidity" here refers to the daily minimum relative humidity)

5. Administrative Divisions

Hangzhou is a sub-provincial city, administering 10 districts, 2 counties, and managing 1 county-level city on behalf of the province.

• Districts: Shangcheng District, Gongshu District, Xihu District, Binjiang District, Xiaoshan District, Yuhang District, Linping District, Qiantang District, Fuyang District, Lin'an District
• County-level City: Jiande City
• Counties: Tonglu County, Chun'an County

Before April 9, 2021, the main urban area of Hangzhou primarily referred to the six districts under its jurisdiction: Shangcheng District, Xiacheng District, Jianggan District, Gongshu District, Xihu District, and Binjiang District. Before 2001, these six districts constituted the urban area of Hangzhou, with the five districts north of the Qiantang River (excluding Binjiang District, which is south of the river) traditionally forming the core urban scope. Since 2001, the districts of Xiaoshan, Yuhang, Lin'an, and Fuyang, which were upgraded from county-level cities, have been gradually integrating with the main urban area, connecting in terms of transportation, employment, social security, and other aspects. According to current planning, Shangcheng District, Gongshu District, Xihu District, and Binjiang District are considered the core urban area of Hangzhou. Binjiang District was separated from the former county-level Xiaoshan City, and its local residents predominantly speak the Xiaoshan dialect, which differs from the Hangzhou dialect spoken in the main urban area. However, in recent years, with the influx and settlement of a large number of residents from both the urban core and other regions, the linguistic landscape has gradually become more diverse. On April 9, 2021, following approval by the State Council, adjustments were made to the administrative divisions of Hangzhou, resulting in the current divisional structure.

Additionally, although the West Lake Scenic Area is not listed as a separate administrative division, it exercises county-level social and administrative management functions through its management committee within its jurisdiction. Furthermore, Binjiang District and the Hangzhou National Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone, Qiantang District and the Hangzhou Economic & Technological Development Area, and Xihu District and the Hangzhou Zhijiang National Tourism Resort all operate under a "two names, one leadership" system.

| Division Code | Division Name | Pinyin | Established | Area (km²) | Permanent Population (End of 2020) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | Townships | Ethnic Townships | |-------------------|-------------------|---------------------|-----------------|----------------|----------------------------------------|---------------------|-----------------|------------------|-----------|---------------|----------------------| | 330100 | Hangzhou City | Hángzhōu Shì | 1949 | 16,853.57 | 11,936,010 | Shangcheng District | 310000 | 93 | 75 | 23 | 1 | | 330102 | Shangcheng District | Shàngchéng Qū | 2021/4/1 | 119.68 | 1,323,467 | Wangjiang Subdistrict | 310000 | 14 | | | | | 330105 | Gongshu District | Gǒngshù Qū | 2021/4/1 | 98.58 | 1,120,985 | Gongchenqiao Subdistrict | 310000 | 18 | | | | | 330106 | Xihu District | Xīhú Qū | 1977/10/1 | 309.41 | 1,112,992[Note 14] | Lingyin Subdistrict | 310000 | 10 | 2 | | | | 330108 | Binjiang District | Bīnjiāng Qū | 1996/12/1 | 72.22 | 503,859 | Xixing Subdistrict | 310000 | 3 | | | | | 330109 | Xiaoshan District | Xiāoshān Qū | 2001/3/1 | 1,029.32 | 2,011,699 | Beigan Subdistrict | 311200 | 10 | 12 | | | | 330110 | Yuhang District | Yúháng Qū | 2021/4/1 | 942.38 | 1,226,673 | Cangqian Subdistrict | 311100 | 7 | 5 | | | | 330111 | Fuyang District | Fùyáng Qū | 2015/2/1 | 1,821.03 | 832,017 | Fuchun Subdistrict | 311400 | 5 | 13 | 6 | | | 330112 | Lin'an District | Lín'ān Qū | 2017/9/1 | 3,118.77 | 634,555 | Jincheng Subdistrict | 311300 | 5 | 13 | | | | 330113 | Linping District | Línpíng Qū | 2021/4/1 | 286.03 | 1,175,841 | Linping Subdistrict | 311100 | 7 | 1 | | | | 330114 | Qiantang District | Qiántáng Qū | 2021/4/1 | 494.89 | 769,150 | Hezhuang Subdistrict | 310000 | 7 | | | | | 330122 | Tonglu County | Tónglú Xiàn | 1949 | 1,829.59 | 453,106 | Chengnan Subdistrict | 311500 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 1 | | 330127 | Chun'an County | Chún'ān Xiàn | 1949 | 4,417.48 | 328,957 | Qiandaohu Town | 311700 | | 11 | 12 | | | 330182 | Jiande City | Jiàndé Shì | 1992/4/1 | 2,314.19 | 442,709 | Xin'anjiang Subdistrict | 311600 | 3 | 12 | 1 | |

6. Economy

The opening of the Jiangnan Canal section of the Sui Dynasty Grand Canal facilitated economic and cultural exchanges between the north and south. At that time, Hangzhou was described as having "fertile rivers and marshes, abundant resources from land and sea, a gathering place for rare goods, thus attracting merchants from all directions." After the Tang Dynasty, the Hangzhou-Jiaxing-Huzhou region became a major national grain-producing area. Products like Fei Ling and Bai Bian Ling silks from Hangzhou were exported as far as Central Asia via the Silk Road. The fiscal revenue of Hangzhou's government accounted for one twenty-fourth of the national total. During the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, while central China was plagued by warfare, Hangzhou alone enjoyed stability and prosperity under the Qian family regime of the Wuyue Kingdom, which pursued a policy of "protecting the territory and pacifying the people." It gradually developed into a major metropolis of the country. Its economic pillars were agriculture, silk weaving, and commerce. The government operated official weaving workshops, with tens of thousands of bolts of silk textiles being sent as tribute to the central plains. Furthermore, Hangzhou had frequent maritime trade with neighboring southern states and overseas countries such as Silla, Baekje, Japan, and India.

From the Northern Song Dynasty onwards, Hangzhou's economy developed steadily. In 1138, the Song court moved south, and nearly 150 years of development and construction in Hangzhou propelled it to become the nation's foremost metropolis. At that time, there were only three cities in the world that could influence the global economy, with Hangzhou being the foremost, followed by Kaifeng in Henan Province and Venice in Italy. The silk weaving industry advanced further, with both official workshops and private workshops coexisting. Weaving and dyeing techniques, production tools, and silk materials all reached the highest national level of the time. The celadon produced by the Southern Song official kilns was exquisitely crafted and had a significant influence on later ceramic industries.

In the 22nd year of the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty (1896), the Treaty of Shimonoseki designated Hangzhou as a treaty port, leading to increasingly active import and export trade. During the Qing Dynasty, Hangzhou's silk production ranked among the highest in the country, alongside Jiangning and Suzhou, collectively known as the "Three Jiangnan Weaving Establishments." At its peak, annual production reached 6,559 bolts (in the 16th year of the Qianlong reign). Towards the end of the Qing Dynasty, Hangzhou's financial sector developed rapidly, represented by Hu Xueyan's Fukang Money Shop, the Zhejiang Industrial Bank, and China's earliest provincial bank—the Zhejiang Bank.

After the Republic of China era, with the opening of the Shanghai-Hangzhou and Hangzhou-Jiangxi railways, Hangzhou became a distribution and transshipment hub for commodities in East China. At that time, Hangzhou's industry was dominated by silk weaving. The 1929 West Lake Exposition temporarily stimulated economic development. In terms of import and export trade, Hangzhou primarily relied on Shanghai. During this period, the banking industry developed relatively quickly, and Hangzhou became the financial center of the province. During the War of Resistance against Japan and the Chinese Civil War, Hangzhou's economy fell into another trough. After 1949, Hangzhou's economy gradually recovered. Various industries were largely nationalized, and a number of industrial enterprises were established, such as Hangzhou Steel, Hangyang (Hangzhou Oxygen Plant), Hangzhou Television Factory, and Hangzhou Bicycle Factory. This led to the formation of industrial zones like the heavy industrial zone in the Banshan area, the food industrial zone in the eastern part of the city, and the light textile industrial zone near Gongchen Bridge.

6.1 Contemporary Economy (Post-1978)

After the reform and opening-up in 1978, light industry gradually became dominant in Hangzhou, with famous brand products including silk, Qingchunbao health products, West Lake televisions, and Huari refrigerators. After Hangzhou was designated as a national key scenic tourist city in 1982, the tertiary industry, especially tourism, developed rapidly.

Entering the 1990s, Hangzhou's economy continued to grow rapidly. Currently, its total economic output ranks fourth nationally among provincial capitals, behind Guangzhou, Wuhan, and Chengdu. The private economy accounts for about 70% of the city's GDP. On May 25, 2007, the first joint meeting of mayors of the Hangzhou Metropolitan Economic Circle, which includes the four cities of Hangzhou, Huzhou, Jiaxing, and Shaoxing, was held in Hangzhou, marking a substantive step in the joint effort to build the Hangzhou Metropolitan Economic Circle. In 2016, the GDP was 1,105.049 billion yuan, a growth of 9.5%, ranking 10th nationally. The per capita GDP was 121,394 yuan, with the three major industries accounting for 2.8%, 36.0%, and 61.2% respectively. According to the World Bank's standards for classifying wealth levels, Hangzhou has reached the level of a "wealthy country." As Hangzhou has many commercial and trade enterprises, it maintains strong competitiveness in terms of per capita income. Both the urban area and the outer suburbs of Hangzhou offer an excellent investment environment, with almost every district and county having strong independent enterprises. Hangzhou has been awarded the title of "Forbes China Best Commercial City" for many consecutive years. In March 2015, Hangzhou became China's Cross-border E-commerce Comprehensive Pilot Zone, the only such pilot zone in China, comprising the Xiacheng Park, Xiasha Park, Airport Park, Lin'an Park, and Jianggan Park. According to Hurun Report data from 2016, Zhejiang produced 72 billionaires (over $100 million), of which Hangzhou produced 32, ranking ninth globally among cities in terms of the number of billionaires.

Hangzhou currently has four national-level economic and technological development zones: Hangzhou Economic & Technological Development Zone, Xiaoshan Economic & Technological Development Zone, Yuhang Economic & Technological Development Zone, and Fuyang Economic & Technological Development Zone. It also has two national high-tech industrial development zones: the Hangzhou National Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone established in 1991, and the Hangzhou Linjiang Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone upgraded in April 2015. Among these, the Hangzhou Economic & Technological Development Zone, established in April 1993, achieved industrial sales output value exceeding 150 billion yuan and a regional GDP of 35.8 billion yuan in 2011. It is not only the most comprehensive and powerful development zone in Zhejiang Province but has also ranked among the top ten national economic and technological development zones for three consecutive years in terms of investment environment and comprehensive evaluation.

Qianjiang New City, located in the Jianggan District, is a central business district under construction in Hangzhou. It is home to many skyscrapers, with high-rise office buildings, star-rated hotels, upscale shopping malls, and serviced apartments lining the streets. Major landmark buildings include the Civic Center (the new office and conference center of the Hangzhou Municipal Government), Hangzhou Library, Hangzhou Grand Theatre, Hangzhou International Conference Centre, Zhejiang Fortune Financial Center, Qianjiang International Times Square, and Hangzhou Raffles City. The core area of Qianjiang New City is a business center area in East China second only to the Lujiazui Finance and Trade Zone. The core area of the new city was officially fully opened to the public in October 2008. Qianjiang Century City, located on the southeastern bank of the Qiantang River, is another central business district and new urban area under construction in Hangzhou, facing Qianjiang New City across the river.

Composition of Hangzhou's Regional GDP in 2019 | Administrative Division | GDP (100 million yuan) | Proportion (%) | |------|------------|-------| | Hangzhou City | 11,050.49 | 100 | | Hangzhou Urban Area | 10,102.00 | 91.41 | | Jiande City | 345.26 | 3.12 | | Tonglu County | 370.38 | 3.35 | | Chun'an County | 232.85 | 2.11 |

6.2 Notable Enterprises

Geely Automobile is one of China's major private domestic automobile manufacturers and ranks among the top ten enterprises in China's automotive industry. It has five automobile production bases in China (the other four cities by production volume are Guangzhou, Shanghai, Chongqing, and Changchun). Its main vehicle brands include Geely, Maple, Gleagle, Emgrand, and Shanghai Englon. Its main export countries are distributed across Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, and Central America, placing it among the leading exporters of domestic Chinese passenger cars.

Wanxiang Group, founded in 1969, is primarily engaged in automotive parts manufacturing. Its products cover eight major series including universal joints, bearings, constant velocity drive shafts, drive shafts, brakes, shock absorbers, rolling elements, and rubber seals, as well as two major systems: suspension and braking. The company ranks first in China's automotive parts industry. It is also involved in real estate, tourism, agricultural products, and other sectors. Hangzhou Iron and Steel Group (Hanggang Group) originated from the Hangzhou Iron and Steel Plant established at the foot of Banshan Mountain in April 1957. It has now become a large enterprise group focusing on steel, with diversified development in real estate, trade and logistics, environmental protection, hotel and catering, higher vocational education, and scientific research and design. It is a major steel production base in Zhejiang Province.

Wahaha was founded by Zong Qinghou in 1987 and is a well-known food and beverage producer in China. Nongfu Spring is a famous Chinese producer of drinking water and beverages.

Alibaba Group, founded by Jack Ma in 1999, is a major Chinese company operating internet businesses. Its operations include B2B trade, online retail, shopping search engines, third-party payment, and cloud computing services. Group subsidiaries include Taobao, Tmall, Etiao, Alibaba Cloud, Alipay, Alibaba.com, Ele.me, Cainiao Network, Koubei, Taopiaopiao, Idle Fish, Freshippo, Hello Inc., Youku, Dian Tao, and Tao Te, serving internet users from over 200 countries and regions, with a total of over 30,000 employees.

Wensli Group, founded in 1975, is an enterprise group focusing on silk cultural creativity and is a top-tier silk enterprise in China. Greentown China is one of China's large private real estate developers, with real estate projects throughout Zhejiang and major cities across the country. Minsheng Pharmaceutical and Qingchunbao Group are large enterprises producing pharmaceuticals and health products. Transfar Group is a diversified industrial group whose main industries include chemicals, logistics, agriculture, and investment. It is ranked among the "Top 500 Chinese Enterprises."

7. Transportation

Hangzhou boasts a well-developed transportation network and serves as a vital transportation hub in southeastern China. It is a key junction for major railway trunk lines such as the Shanghai-Kunming Line and the Xuancheng-Hangzhou Line. Additionally, it operates and is constructing multiple passenger-dedicated railway lines, including the Shanghai-Kunming High-Speed Railway, the Nanjing-Hangzhou Passenger-Dedicated Line, and the Hangzhou-Ningbo Passenger-Dedicated Line. Hangzhou is also the first city in China (alongside Zhengzhou, where the Xuzhou-Lanzhou and Beijing-Guangzhou Passenger-Dedicated Lines intersect) to have a design for 350 km/h high-speed railways intersecting perpendicularly. The city has over 300 kilometers of expressways and first-class highways, connecting directly to surrounding major cities via the Shanghai-Hangzhou, Hangzhou-Ningbo, Hangzhou-Nanjing, and Hangzhou-Jinhua-Quzhou Expressways, as well as National Highways 104, 235, 320, and 329. Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport ranks among China's top ten airports in terms of passenger traffic.

As of September 2022, the Hangzhou Metro operates 12 lines with 259 stations (transfer stations counted once), covering an operational mileage of 516 kilometers. The first line, Hangzhou Metro Line 1, commenced operation in November 2012. The total planned network length is expected to exceed 600 kilometers by 2025.

On the other hand, as of March 2013, the number of motor vehicles in Hangzhou's main urban area exceeded 1 million, averaging one vehicle for every three people, giving Hangzhou the highest per capita motor vehicle ownership in China, surpassing even Beijing. However, the growth rate of parking spaces and roads has not kept pace with the increase in vehicles. Coupled with the inherently suboptimal road layout due to Hangzhou's urban topography—"surrounded by mountains on three sides and the city on one"—traffic congestion in Hangzhou's urban areas is severe, and the parking shortage is particularly acute.

7.1 Railway

Existing conventional lines include the Shanghai-Kunming Line, Xiaoshan-Ningbo Line, and Xuancheng-Hangzhou Line. Existing high-speed railways include the Shanghai-Kunming High-Speed Railway, Hangzhou-Nanjing Passenger-Dedicated Line, Hangzhou-Ningbo Passenger-Dedicated Line, Hangzhou-Huangshan Passenger-Dedicated Line, Hangzhou-Taizhou High-Speed Railway, and Shangqiu-Hangzhou Passenger-Dedicated Line. High-speed railways under construction include the Hangzhou-Wenzhou High-Speed Railway and Hangzhou-Quzhou High-Speed Railway.

Hangzhou Railway Station is located in Shangcheng District. Because the station site was relocated inside the Qingtai Gate of old Hangzhou city from outside the gate in 1910, local media and residents commonly refer to it as "Chengzhan" (City Station), a name that persists today. Hangzhou public bus stops at this station are called "Chengzhan Railway Station," and the Hangzhou Metro Line 1 station serving it is called "Chengzhan Station." The old station building from the Japanese occupation period in the 1940s was demolished in 1997, and the current new station building was reconstructed and officially opened on December 28, 1999. It is a first-class station under the Shanghai Railway Bureau. Chengzhan Station has 9 platforms, several of which can accommodate EMU trains. Departing trains head in all directions across the country, with the highest frequency to nearby cities like Shanghai, Ningbo, and Wenzhou.

The old Hangzhou East Railway Station was built in 1992 in Jianggan District on Tiancheng Road. In 2005, it handled 3.924 million departing passengers and 5.153 million arriving passengers. The old East Station officially ceased passenger service on January 20, 2010, for reconstruction. The new Hangzhou East Railway Station opened on July 1, 2013. Its scale is comparable to Shanghai Hongqiao Station, with 15 platforms and 30 tracks, making it one of China's largest railway hubs.

Hangzhou South Railway Station, originally named Xiaoshan Station, was built and opened in 1992 and renamed to its current name in 2010. Located in Beigan Subdistrict, Xiaoshan District, 27 kilometers from Hangzhou Railway Station, it is a first-class station and a junction for the Shanghai-Kunming Line and Xiaoshan-Ningbo Line. It was planned to handle a total of 45,000 passengers daily, with a peak hourly capacity of 12,000 passengers. After the new East Station opened in July 2013, the South Station entered a closure period for renovation. The new South Station officially opened on July 1, 2020, connecting the Shanghai-Kunming Passenger-Dedicated Line, Hangzhou-Ningbo Passenger-Dedicated Line, and Hangzhou-Huangshan Passenger-Dedicated Line. The accompanying Hangzhou Metro Line 5 station, South Railway Station, also became operational.

Hangzhou West Railway Station began planning in 2016, construction in 2019, and was completed and opened on September 22, 2022, operating the Hefei-Hangzhou Passenger-Dedicated Line. Its site is in Cangqian Subdistrict, Yuhang District, bordered by Liangshang Road and Caowang Road to the north, Longzhou Road to the west, Liangtinggang Road to the east, and Hangque 4th Road and Longzhou Road to the south. Xizhan Road runs east-west through the station area. It is a first-class station, and the supporting Hangzhou Metro Line 19 opened on the same day. Most trains at West Station are high-speed services, with passing lines including the Hefei-Hangzhou High-Speed Railway and Hangzhou-Wenzhou High-Speed Railway. During the 2023 Spring Festival travel season, Hangzhou West Station operated a total of 3,112 train trips, handling a total passenger flow of 870,000, including 375,000 departures and 497,000 arrivals, setting new records since its opening.

In December 2014, the "Zhejiang Province Metropolitan Area Intercity Railway Near-Term Construction Plan," which planned to build 11 intercity railway lines, received approval from the National Development and Reform Commission. Among these, the Hangzhou metropolitan area includes 4 intercity lines: Hangzhou-Lin'an Line, Hangzhou-Fuyang Line, Hangzhou-Haining intercity line, and Hangzhou-Shaoxing Keqiao intercity line. However, these lines will operate as urban rail transit (currently, Chinese railways require real-name ticketing and most lines assign specific trains and seats). Among them, the Hangzhou-Lin'an Line (renamed Hangzhou Metro Line 16) and Hangzhou-Fuyang Line are constructed and will be operated by Hangzhou Metro. The Hangzhou-Haining Intercity Railway and Hangzhou-Shaoxing Intercity Railway are operated by Zhejiang Xingfu Rail Transit and Shaoxing Rail Transit, respectively, classified as urban rail transit. Furthermore, Hangzhou plans four additional lines extending to Zhuji, Anji, Deqing, and Tongxiang, as well as a connecting line linking Huzhou Nanxun, Tongxiang, and Haining, aiming to ultimately form a Hangzhou metropolitan area railway network of "eight radials and one connection," totaling nine intercity railway lines.

7.2 Highway

By the end of 2018, Hangzhou's total highway mileage reached 16,520 kilometers, including 632 kilometers of expressways, with a road network density of 0.98 km/km². Hangzhou has essentially formed a high-grade highway framework of "one ring and seven radials." The "one ring" refers to the 123-kilometer Hangzhou Ring Expressway (completed at the end of 2003, allowing a full circuit in about one hour at 110 km/h). The "seven radials" refer to seven radial transportation lines: eastbound Shanghai-Hangzhou Expressway (151 km total, opened end of 1998) and Hangzhou-Ningbo Expressway; northbound Hangzhou-Nanjing Expressway (250 km total, opened September 2003); southbound Hangzhou-Jinhua-Quzhou Expressway; and National Highways 104, 320, 329, and Provincial Highway 02. Others include the Hangzhou-Huizhou Expressway, Hangzhou-Xinchang-Jingdezhen Expressway, Hangzhou-Pudong Expressway (opened January 2008), Hangzhou-Shaoxing-Ningbo Expressway (Hangzhou-Ningbo Parallel Line), and Hangzhou-Changxing Expressway.

Currently, the main highway entry points into Hangzhou are the Dajing Interchange entrance, which connects north to the Shanghai-Hangzhou Expressway and intersects east-west with the Hangzhou Outer Ring Road, and the Pengbu Interchange entrance. Hangzhou's main urban area currently has four long-distance bus passenger stations: Hangzhou Passenger Transport Center Station, North Bus Station, South Bus Station, and West Bus Station. Coach services reach east to Zhoushan, south to Shenzhen, west to Yichang, and north to Qingdao, providing direct connections to 12 provinces and one municipality across China.

7.3 Aviation

Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport is the city's current civil aviation airport, opened in December 2000, replacing the former civil aviation functions of the dual-use military-civilian Jianqiao Airport. Xiaoshan Airport is located in Xiaoshan District on the south bank of the Qiantang River, 29 kilometers from downtown Hangzhou. The airport currently operates 45 domestic routes and 13 international routes. The first phase covers 7,260 mu (approximately 4.84 km²) and features a single 3,600-meter-long, 45-meter-wide runway capable of handling large aircraft like the Boeing 747-400. In November 2012, the airport's second runway and Terminal 3 were completed. The new runway is 3,600 meters long and 60 meters wide, with an aerodrome reference code of 4F, allowing it to accommodate the Airbus A380. The apron covers 340,000 square meters with 49 boarding gates. Maintenance capabilities include Category II maintenance for all aircraft types and Category III maintenance for Boeing 737 and 757. The terminal building has a floor area of 100,000 square meters, including a 22,000-square-meter underground parking garage. It can handle 8,520 passengers per hour (one-way). Inside are 115 check-in counters, including 23 for international flights. The waiting hall has 2,900 seats and features VIP lounges and multiple first-class/business lounges. The international inspection area within the terminal covers 9,500 square meters. In 2015, Xiaoshan Airport handled 28.35 million passengers, ranking among China's top ten airports.

Airport buses depart every 15-30 minutes to Hangzhou Railway Station and Wulinmen in downtown Hangzhou, as well as to Xiaoshan city proper. There are also buses to other areas within Zhejiang Province and the Shanghai and southern Jiangsu regions. The Hangzhou-Ningbo Expressway, Hangzhou Airport Expressway, and Hangzhou Ring Expressway connect to the airport.

Approved by the State Council, Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport began implementing a 72-hour visa-free transit policy for citizens of certain countries on October 20, 2014, with activities limited to Zhejiang Province during the transit period. Starting January 30, 2016, the airport implemented a 144-hour visa-free transit policy for citizens of certain countries, with activities limited to Zhejiang Province, Jiangsu Province, and Shanghai Municipality.

7.4 Public BusesHangzhou Public Transport is operated by the Hangzhou Public Transport Group. The group currently has 14 branch companies and 14 wholly-owned subsidiaries. By the end of 2011, the group operated a total of 548 bus routes with 7,200 buses (air-conditioned buses accounted for 96.38%) and employed approximately 23,000 staff. The main bus brands include Suzhou King Long (KLQ), Huanghai (DD), Youngman (JNP), Yutong (ZK), Changjiang (CJ, CJWG), Dongfeng (DHZ), and Daewoo (GDW). In 2011, the annual passenger volume reached 1.348 billion, with an operational mileage of 660 million kilometers.

The majority of bus routes are regular lines, with other types including special lines (routes 501–599), night buses (routes 200–259), holiday lines, suburban lines (routes 300–403), tourist lines (Tourist Line 2 to Tourist Line 10), school lines, shuttle buses, and peak-hour commuter buses.

On April 26, 2006, Hangzhou launched its first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line, B1 (from Xiasha to Huanglong Bus Station). As of October 2020, the BRT network consists of six main lines (B1, B4, B4C, B7, B8, and B8C), five branch lines (Bzhi1, Bzhi2, Bzhi3, Bzhi4, Bzhi8), three interval lines (B1C, B4D, Bzhi3C), and four peak-hour lines (B1D, B2 Peak, Bzhi1 Express, Bzhi4 Express). The daily passenger volume of the entire BRT network once exceeded 300,000. These lines allow free transfers within platforms at some high-traffic stations, with the largest transfer station being Zhalongkou Xincun Station. The BRT system operates 160 vehicles, 126 stations, and 23 free same-platform transfer stations, with a total route length of 81.4 kilometers. Approximately 35,000 passengers enjoy free same-platform transfers daily (2012 data), with an average operating speed of 20 km/h.

Public transport IC cards include Adult Discount Monthly/Quarterly Card (A Card), Student Discount Card (B Card), Senior Discount Card (C Card), General Card (D Card), and City Pass Card (T Card). Some routes in Hangzhou only accept cash and public transport IC cards. On cash-only routes, using electronic payment incurs an additional 3 yuan fare.

7.5 Metro

As of August 2023, the Hangzhou Metro operates 12 lines with 254 stations (transfer stations not double-counted), covering a total operational mileage of 516 kilometers. The lines are operated by Hangzhou Metro Group and MTR Corporation (Hangzhou) respectively. Additionally, Hangzhou Metro connects with Shaoxing Rail Transit and Hangzhou-Haiyan Intercity Railway, forming a rail transit network covering Hangzhou, Shaoxing, Jiaxing, and Huzhou with a total length of 620 kilometers.

The first line, Hangzhou Metro Line 1, commenced construction on March 28, 2007, and began operation on November 24, 2012. Line 1 is operated by a joint venture between Hangzhou Metro and MTR Corporation. Hangzhou is the first city in Zhejiang Province to operate a metro system.

7.6 Taxis

Hangzhou taxis have four service centers. Current taxi models in the urban area include: Sonata, Sylphy, BYD E6, and Santana (Yuhang). Previously used models include Hongqi, Dongfeng Citroën Picasso, Fukang, Passat, Bora, Santana, Jetta, Regal, and Mercedes-Benz. The standard taxi fare starts at 11 yuan for the first 3 kilometers, 2.5 yuan per kilometer for distances between 3 and 10 kilometers, and 3.75 yuan per kilometer beyond 10 kilometers. In case of traffic congestion or temporary stops requested by passengers, a 4-minute waiting time is charged as 1 kilometer (i.e., 2.5 yuan per 4 minutes).

Previously, Hangzhou taxis had multiple fare systems based on vehicle type and region, which have now been unified. In the past, the Xiasha Economic Development Zone in Jianggan District had regional taxis operating only within Xiasha, with a starting fare of 5 yuan (2 kilometers), 2 yuan per kilometer beyond 2 kilometers, and a 40% empty return surcharge for distances over 8 kilometers. The Shangsi area previously had similar pricing. Additionally, luxury taxis (Mercedes-Benz) that were briefly operated and have since been retired had a starting fare of 11 yuan for the first 2 kilometers, 3.6 yuan per kilometer for distances between 2 and 8 kilometers, and a 50% empty return surcharge for distances beyond 8 kilometers.

7.7 Public Bicycles

Hangzhou Public Bicycles is a public welfare transportation project operated by the Public Bicycle Development Service Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Hangzhou Public Transport Group. Its features include free rental for the first 60 minutes and the ability to rent and return bicycles anywhere within the city. Bicycles can be rented using Hangzhou Citizen Cards (social security cards), Hangzhou Tong Cards, etc., with a deposit of 200 yuan. This project not only alleviates traffic and parking difficulties but also promotes energy conservation, emission reduction, and green travel. The first phase of the system was launched on May 1, 2008, making Hangzhou the first city in China to operate a public bicycle system. Initially, there were over 400 service points. By June 2013, the system had over 67,000 bicycles and approximately 3,000 service points. Today, it is one of the largest public bicycle systems in the world. The public bicycle system records over 200,000 daily rentals, with free rentals accounting for over 95% of total usage. On November 28, 2014, the Hangzhou Public Bicycle Service System received the "Guangzhou International Award for Urban Innovation."

7.8 Water Buses

Hangzhou Water Bus was launched on October 28, 2004, and currently operates eight routes. Although it is also a form of urban public transport, and the municipal government encourages citizens to use water buses for commuting, it is primarily used as a sightseeing service. As of 2022, Hangzhou Water Bus operates four regular routes with a flat fare, longer intervals (over 30 minutes), and a ticket price of 3 yuan. There are also tourist routes to Xixi Wetland, Tangqi Ancient Town, etc., as well as day and night cruise routes along the Grand Canal and Qiantang River, with ticket prices ranging from tens to hundreds of yuan.

7.9 River Crossings

Qiantang River Bridge, the first bridge built over the Qiantang River
Qiantang River Bridge, the first bridge built over the Qiantang River
Qiantang River Second Bridge, also known as Pengbu Bridge
Qiantang River Second Bridge, also known as Pengbu Bridge
Qiantang River Third Bridge, also known as Xixing Bridge
Qiantang River Third Bridge, also known as Xixing Bridge
Qiantang River Seventh Bridge, also known as Zhijiang Bridge
Qiantang River Seventh Bridge, also known as Zhijiang Bridge

Hangzhou's main urban area is located north of the Qiantang River. Currently, there are ten bridges crossing the river: Qiantang River First Bridge (Qiantang River Bridge), Qiantang River Second Bridge (Pengbu Bridge), Qiantang River Third Bridge (Xixing Bridge), Qiantang River Fourth Bridge (Fuxing Bridge), Qiantang River Fifth Bridge, Qiantang River Sixth Bridge (Xiasha Bridge), Qiantang River Seventh Bridge, Qiantang River Eighth Bridge, Qiantang River Ninth Bridge, and Qiantang River New Railway Bridge (located tens of meters upstream from Pengbu Bridge). Among these, three bridges accommodate railways: the First Bridge with one railway line, the Second Bridge with two railway lines, and the New Railway Bridge with four railway lines. The Qiantang River First Bridge was completed in September 1937, with Mao Yisheng as the chief designer. It is China's first self-built double-deck truss girder bridge for both road and rail traffic. The bridge was designed with a 50-year lifespan and has been in service for over 20 years beyond that. To protect the bridge, trucks have been prohibited from using it since the 1990s. The Qiantang River Third Bridge is one of the main routes to and from Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport. Trucks primarily rely on the Xiasha Bridge, Jiubao Bridge, and Jiangdong Bridge in the eastern part of the city. The Qiantang River Sixth Bridge, located between Hangzhou Economic and Technological Development Zone and Xiaoshan Economic and Technological Development Zone, is the busiest bridge over the Qiantang River in terms of vehicle traffic.

In addition, there are river-crossing tunnels such as the Qingchun Road River-Crossing Tunnel, Qiantang River Tunnel, Wangjiang Tunnel, and Bo'ao Tunnel. Among them, the Qingchun Tunnel is located 2.6 kilometers east of the Qiantang River Second Bridge and 2.5 kilometers west of the Qiantang River Third Bridge, and opened at the end of December 2010. The Qiantang River Tunnel is a major river-crossing highway tunnel connecting Xiaoshan in Hangzhou to the south and Haining in Jiaxing to the north, which opened in April 2014. The Wangjiang Tunnel, opened in January 2020, is the second urban river-crossing tunnel in Hangzhou.

8. Education

Wansong Academy, established in 1498 during the Ming Dynasty, is one of China's renowned ancient academies. It served as the largest, longest-lasting, and most influential gathering place for scholars in Zhejiang during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Meanwhile, the Qiushi Academy, founded in 1897 by Hangzhou Prefect Lin Qi and now the predecessor of Zhejiang University, stands as one of the earliest modern higher education institutions in China's modern history, modeled after Western educational systems.

By the end of 2011, Hangzhou had 409 primary schools, 246 junior high schools, and 71 regular senior high schools. The city's compulsory education enrollment rate reached 99.9%, while the enrollment rate for three-year preschool education was 98.5%. To date, 209,100 children of migrant workers have been admitted to compulsory education in Hangzhou. Notable provincial-level key high schools include Hangzhou No. 2 High School, Hangzhou Xuejun High School, Hangzhou High School, Hangzhou No. 14 High School, Hangzhou No. 4 High School, Hangzhou Foreign Languages School, Zhejiang University High School, Hangzhou Normal University High School, Hangzhou Changhe High School, and Chun'an High School of Zhejiang Province. The city also has 13 vocational education groups, 59 secondary vocational schools, and 105,200 enrolled students.

Currently, Hangzhou is home to 38 higher education institutions, with a total student population of 446,700, including 41,800 postgraduate students. Zhejiang University and the China Academy of Art are recognized as world-class universities and disciplines. Among them, Zhejiang University is directly under the Ministry of Education, a member of the C9 League, and the only comprehensive research university in Zhejiang Province included in the "985 Project" and "211 Project." The China Academy of Art, the first art university in Chinese history, was originally under the Ministry of Culture and later jointly established by the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Culture, and Zhejiang Province. In the fourth round of undergraduate teaching evaluations by the Ministry of Education, its two main disciplines—Fine Arts and Design—were both rated A+, ranking first in the country. Other major provincial universities include Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Zhejiang Gongshang University, China Jiliang University, Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Zhejiang A&F University, Zhejiang University of Media and Communications, and Zhejiang University of Science and Technology. Municipal universities include Hangzhou Normal University, Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou Vocational and Technical College, Zhejiang Yuying College of Vocational Education, and Hangzhou Radio and Television University. Established in 2001 in the Hangzhou Economic and Technological Development Zone, the Xiasha Higher Education Park is Hangzhou's largest university town, hosting 15 undergraduate and vocational colleges. Other higher education parks include the Binjiang Higher Education Park (6 institutions), the Xiaoheshan Higher Education Park (4 institutions), and the Xiaoshan Higher Education Park (5 institutions).

Founded in 2015 by Shi Yigong and others, the Westlake Institute for Advanced Study focuses on scientific research and doctoral training, with research institutes in fields such as science, frontier technology, basic medicine, and biology. Based on this, Westlake University is a non-profit, innovative research university in China, supported by social forces and national key initiatives, with two campuses: Yunqi and Yungu.

9. Population

Population Data of Districts (Counties, Cities) in Hangzhou Resident Population (2020)

| Division Name | Total (10,000 persons) | Proportion (%) | Population Density (persons/km²) | Registered Population (10,000 persons) | Rural Population (%) | | :---------------- | :------------------------- | :----------------- | :---------------------------------- | :---------------------------------------- | :----------------------- | | Hangzhou City | 1193.6 | 100 | 570 | 753.9 | 488.22 | | Municipal Districts | 1071.1 | 89.73 | 1030 | 615.2 | 378.45 | | Shangcheng District | 132.3 | 11.09 | 19333 | 32 | - | | Gongshu District | 112.1 | 9.39 | 6386 | 36.2 | - | | Xihu District | 108.9 | 9.13 | 3270 | 71.3 | 16.65 | | (Scenic Area) | 2.3 | 0.34 | - | 2.0 | 0.57 | | Binjiang District | 50.4 | 4.22 | 4808 | 24.3 | 10.63 | | Xiaoshan District | 201.2 | 16.85 | 1243 | 129.6 | 127.98 | | Yuhang District | 122.7 | 10.28 | 1208 | 104 | 112.21 | | Linping District | 117.6 | 9.85 | - | - | - | | Qiantang District | 76.9 | 6.44 | - | - | - | | Fuyang District | 83.2 | 6.97 | 409 | 67.7 | 56.88 | | Lin'an District | 63.5 | 5.32 | 189 | 53.5 | 47.07 | | Tonglu County | 45.3 | 3.8 | 241 | 41.5 | 33.95 | | Chun'an County | 32.9 | 2.76 | 79 | 46.1 | 35.5 | | Jiande City | 44.3 | 3.71 | 188 | 51.1 | 40.32 |

At the end of 2020, the city's resident population was 11.936 million, of which the resident population in the municipal districts was 10.711 million. In 2018, the city's registered population was 7.741 million, of which the non-agricultural population was 5.150 million. The registered population in the municipal districts was 6.353 million, of which the non-agricultural population was 4.693 million. The Hangzhou Metropolitan Circle, centered on Hangzhou, has reached a population of 21.102 million. The birth rate was 12.4‰, and the natural growth rate was 6.3‰. Since entering the 21st century, the aging process in Hangzhou has accelerated, and the elderly dependency ratio has increased. At the end of 2007, among the resident population, the population aged 65 and above was 849,900, accounting for 10.81% of the resident population. Due to changes in the age structure of the population and the increase in the elderly population, the elderly dependency ratio reached 14.19 in 2007.

On the other hand, the quality of Hangzhou's population is at a relatively high level nationwide. According to statistics from the Ministry of Civil Affairs in 2009, the proportion of the population with a university degree or higher in Hangzhou ranked 17th among municipalities directly under the central government and provincial capitals based on the Sixth National Population Census. In 2010, the proportion of the resident population with a college education or higher was 18.88%; the proportion with a high school education was 17.73%. The proportion of illiterate and semi-literate population in the resident population was 3.73%.

The Hangzhou Municipal Bureau of Statistics released the "Communiqué on Major Population Data of Hangzhou City in 2022". At the end of 2022, the resident population of Hangzhou was 12.376 million, an increase of 172,000 from the previous year, indicating a continuous increase in the resident population.

9.1. Major Surnames

Hangzhou was once the national center of politics, economy, and culture. Since then, it has experienced wars and changes, with frequent population movements, so there are not many typical major surnames. However, several major surnames have flourished continuously in Hangzhou, such as the Qian surname originating from Qian Liu, the King of Wuyue during the Five Dynasties period, and the Yue surname from the descendants of Yue Fei of the Southern Song Dynasty. In addition, families such as the Wang family of Qingyin Lane, the Hu family of Yuanbao Street, the Xu family of Henghe Bridge, and the Ding family of Tousha Lane were all once major surnames in Hangzhou. The top ten surnames in modern Hangzhou are as follows:

Top Ten Surnames of Hangzhou People| Rank | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------| | Surname | Wang | Chen | Zhang | Xu | Li | Shen | Zhou | Wu | Zhu | Fang | | Population | 391,154| 375,996| 256,413| 247,747| 204,774| 202,358| 179,404| 172,007| 156,949| 136,261| | Percentage (%) | 5.95 | 5.73 | 3.87 | 3.80 | 3.12 | 3.09 | 2.73 | 2.61 | 2.40 | 2.10 | | Top 10 Surnames Nationwide | Wang | Li | Zhang | Liu | Chen | Yang | Huang | Zhao | Wu | Zhou | | Top 10 Surnames in Shanghai | Zhang | Wang | Chen | Li | Zhu | Xu | Zhou | Shen | Wu | Lu |

9.2. Ethnic Groups

Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province, is located on the southeastern coast of China, on the southern wing of the Yangtze River Delta. As a famous historical and cultural city, Hangzhou boasts a rich ethnic composition and diverse cultures.

1. Ethnic Composition

• Han Chinese: The population of Hangzhou is predominantly Han Chinese, constituting the vast majority. Han culture plays a dominant role in Hangzhou's history, language, and customs.
• Ethnic Minorities: Hangzhou also has a certain number of ethnic minority populations, primarily including the She, Hui, Manchu, Miao, and Zhuang ethnic groups. Among these, the She ethnic group is the most significant minority in Hangzhou, mainly distributed in areas such as Tonglu County and Chun'an County.

2. Distribution of Ethnic Minorities

• She Ethnic Group: The She people are the primary ethnic minority in Hangzhou, concentrated mainly in Eshan She Ethnic Township in Tonglu County and parts of Chun'an County. The She have their own unique language, clothing, and traditional customs, such as the "March 3rd" song festival.
• Hui Ethnic Group: The Hui people are mainly distributed in the urban areas of Hangzhou, with a relatively concentrated community around the Phoenix Mosque (Hangzhou Mosque). The Hui have distinct characteristics in terms of diet and religion.
• Other Ethnic Minorities: Groups such as the Manchu, Miao, and Zhuang have mostly relocated to Hangzhou for work or study reasons and are distributed in the urban and surrounding areas.

3. Ethnic Culture and Customs

• She Culture: The She people are primarily engaged in agriculture and are skilled in weaving and embroidery. Traditional She clothing is brightly colored, with women's headwear being particularly unique. The traditional She festival "March 3rd" is an important cultural event, featuring activities like antiphonal singing and dancing.
• Hui Culture: The Hui people practice Islam and follow halal dietary customs. Hangzhou's Phoenix Mosque is an important religious site for the Hui community and a symbol of Islamic culture in Hangzhou.
• Other Ethnic Cultures: With Hangzhou's openness and development, an increasing number of ethnic minority cultures have integrated into urban life, creating a diverse and inclusive cultural atmosphere.

4. Ethnic Policies and Protection

• The Hangzhou municipal government places great importance on the protection and development of ethnic minority cultures, supporting economic development and cultural heritage in minority areas. For example, Eshan She Ethnic Township in Tonglu County is designated as an ethnic township and receives certain policy support.
• Hangzhou also promotes the exchange and dissemination of various ethnic cultures by organizing events such as ethnic cultural festivals and ethnic customs exhibitions.

5. Ethnic Integration

• As an open and inclusive city, Hangzhou fosters harmonious coexistence among all ethnic groups, forming a diverse yet unified social structure. Ethnic minority cultures add unique charm to Hangzhou while enriching the city's cultural内涵.

In summary, Hangzhou is a city where multiple ethnic groups coexist, with the Han Chinese and ethnic minorities together creating a rich and diverse cultural landscape. While protecting and developing ethnic minority cultures, Hangzhou also promotes exchange and integration among all ethnic groups.

10. Religion

Buddhism has historically been the most influential religion in Hangzhou, which has long been known as the "Buddhist Kingdom of the Southeast." The spread of Buddhism in Hangzhou began during the Eastern Jin Dynasty, flourished during the Wuyue Kingdom of the Five Dynasties period, and reached its peak in the Southern Song Dynasty (with as many as 480 temples). Hangzhou's Jingshan Temple, Lingyin Temple, Jingci Temple, and Sanzhu Temple are all ranked among the top temples in the "Five Mountains and Ten Temples" system of the Chan, Doctrinal, and Vinaya schools. The most famous temples in Hangzhou are Lingyin Temple and Jingci Temple, which are considered the finest in the northern and southern mountains, respectively. Located northwest of West Lake at the foot of Lingyin Mountain between Feilai Peak and North Peak, Lingyin Temple was founded in the first year of the Xianhe era of the Eastern Jin Dynasty (326 AD). It is one of China's earliest Buddhist temples and one of the ten great ancient temples of China. It is also a historic and scenic tourist destination in Hangzhou. Jingci Temple, built in the first year of the Xiande era of the Later Zhou Dynasty during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period (954 AD), is located at the foot of Nanping Mountain on the shores of West Lake. Both Lingyin Temple and Jingci Temple are key national Buddhist temples in Han Chinese regions.

The Hangzhou Buddhist Association was established in August 1956. Hangzhou Buddhist College, founded by the Hangzhou Buddhist Association in 1998, is a Buddhist academy with two secondary colleges—the College of Buddhist Doctrines and the College of Buddhist Arts—as well as a research institute. The undergraduate program lasts four years, while the postgraduate program lasts three years.

Currently, there are approximately 42,000 registered Taoist followers in Hangzhou. The Hangzhou Taoist Association was established in 1985. Historically famous Taoist temples in Hangzhou include Fuxing Temple atop Yuhuang Mountain, Yellow Dragon Cave at the northern foot of Xixia Ridge near West Lake, Baopu Taoist Temple on Ge Ridge near West Lake, and the City God Temple atop Wu Mountain.

Catholicism was introduced to the Hangzhou region during the Ming Dynasty. Hangzhou currently has 11 Catholic churches, with 10 active clergy (bishops, priests, and nuns) and over 2,000 believers. According to statistics from early 2004, there were 179,000 Christians in Hangzhou, with 38 Christian activity sites open in the urban area. By the end of 2012, approximately 310,000 people in Hangzhou had been baptized. Located at 415 North Zhongshan Road (near Wulin Square), the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Hangzhou is a historic Catholic church built in 1661 by the Italian missionary Martino Martini. It is not only the cathedral of the Catholic Diocese of Hangzhou but also the only open Catholic church in the urban area of Hangzhou. Chinese Mass is held every Sunday morning, and English Mass is held every Saturday evening. The church has two choirs. In January 2011, the church was designated as a cultural heritage site under provincial protection in Zhejiang. The Protestant Chongyi Church, whose construction began in 1902 and was completed in 2005 on Xintang Road in Jianggan District, covers a total area of 12,480 square meters, with the church itself occupying 7,299 square meters and capable of accommodating 5,500 people simultaneously. It is currently the largest chapel in China and the largest Chinese church in the world.

Islam was introduced to Hangzhou by Arab merchants from Guangzhou, Quanzhou, and other places during the Sui Dynasty. According to surveys, Hangzhou has over 4,000 people from ten ethnic minorities, including the Hui, who practice Islam. Located on Middle Zhongshan Road, the Phoenix Mosque is one of the four major Islamic mosques along China's southeastern coast. Originally built during the Tang Dynasty, it was destroyed by fire during the Song Dynasty and rebuilt during the Yuan Dynasty. It underwent major renovations in 1953 and remains well-preserved. In 2001, it was designated as a national key cultural heritage site and serves as the gathering center for Muslims in Hangzhou.

11. Culture

Hangzhou, renowned as a prominent prefecture in the Sui and Tang dynasties, the capital of the Wuyue Kingdom, the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty, and the capital of Zhejiang Province since the Yuan Dynasty, boasts a profound historical and cultural heritage. Its uniquely representative cultures include the Liangzhu Culture, silk culture, tea culture, traditional Chinese medicine culture, calligraphy, painting, and seal carving arts, along with numerous inherited stories and legends, opera forms that flourished in modern times, and significant contemporary festivals and events. These cultural elements are not only vital components that make Hangzhou a famous historical and cultural city but also a major factor in its appeal.

11.1 Traditional Chinese Medicine Culture

"Tongrentang in the north, Qingyutang in the south." Hu Qing Yu Tang, as famous as the northern Tongrentang, is located on Hefang Street at the northern foot of the beautiful Wu Hill in Hangzhou, enjoying the reputation of the "Medicine King of Jiangnan." It is China's best-preserved traditional Chinese medicine brand and the most complete ancient commercial architectural complex in the Hui-style from the Qing Dynasty. Founded in 1874 (the 13th year of the Tongzhi reign) by the late Qing Dynasty's "Red-Top Merchant" Hu Xueyan, it adheres to the ancestral motto of "sourcing genuine materials and refining with utmost care" in medicine production and the business philosophy of "This is the art of benevolence, with genuine goods at a fixed price." It produces characteristic patent medicines such as Qingyu Jiuxin Wan and Biwen Dan. The entire complex features Jiangnan courtyard-style architecture, incorporating the advantages of Jiangnan residential gardens, built as a Qing Dynasty commercial structure with a front shop and a rear workshop. It now houses a famous physician's hall (TCM clinic) and the Hu Qing Yu Tang Traditional Chinese Medicine Museum. It was listed as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit in 1988 and was merged into the Qingchunbao Group at the end of 1996.

Based on the Song Dynasty royal pharmacopoeia Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang, Hu Qing Yu Tang collected various ancient and proven prescriptions, combined them with clinical experience, and meticulously formulated over 400 types of Qingyu pills, powders, ointments, pellets, glues, medicinal liquors, oils, and medicinal wines. It also compiled the Complete Collection of Hu Qing Yu Tang Xue Ji Pills and Powders for posterity. To this day, it continues to inherit ancestral proven prescriptions and traditional medicine preparation techniques, preserving many traditional brand-name products. The rich and unique culture accumulated by Hu Qing Yu Tang is not only the secret to the century-old shop's enduring success but also the essence of traditional Chinese commercial culture. Its core cultural tenets—"This is the art of benevolence" (aiding the world, widely benefiting people), "genuine goods at a fixed price" (advocating genuine goods at fair prices), and "against deception" (emphasizing integrity, with no adulteration whatsoever)—are deeply ingrained.

11.2 Silk Culture

Hangzhou silk has a long history and is renowned both domestically and internationally. Its origins can be traced back to the Liangzhu Culture period four to five thousand years ago, when ancestors were already capable of planting mulberry trees, raising silkworms, weaving silk fabrics, and making primitive silk reeling tools. During the Spring and Autumn Period, King Goujian of Yue implemented "encouraging agriculture and sericulture" as a policy to enrich the state. In the Tang Dynasty, Hangzhou-produced twill silks enjoyed the reputation of being "the finest under heaven" and were tributes to the imperial court. During the Southern Song Dynasty, the city witnessed a bustling scene described as "the sound of looms heard from every household" and "residents, men and women alike, clad in silks and satins as dense as clouds," earning it the title "Home of Silk." Over a thousand years ago, Hangzhou silk was exported to Southeast Asia and Arab countries, paving the way for the "Silk Road" both overland and by sea. When Marco Polo visited Hangzhou, he noted, "Hangzhou produces a vast quantity of silk, and the majority of the local residents are always dressed in silks and satins, adorned with brocade." At that time, more than half of the merchants in Hangzhou were engaged in the silk trade.

After years of development, Hangzhou's silk industry has formed comprehensive manufacturing capabilities spanning from cocoon supply, silk reeling, silk weaving, printing and dyeing, silk clothing, to silk weaving machinery. It produces over 14 major categories, including silk, satin, brocade, plain silk, twill, gauze, velvet, and thin silk, encompassing more than 200 varieties and over 2,000 patterns. Brands such as Dujinsheng, Wanshili, Kaisiya, and Xidebao are internationally renowned. Silk craft accessories represented by Hangzhou fans and Hangzhou umbrellas are exquisitely decorated, serving as artistic treasures of Hangzhou's refined culture.

Currently, Hangzhou is home to the large-scale China National Silk Museum and the China Silk City on Xinhua Road. The China National Silk Museum, located on Yuhuangshan Road in Shangcheng District, opened to the public in February 1992, covering an area of 5 hectares with an exhibition space of 3,000 square meters. As a specialized silk museum, it houses silk-related cultural relics from various historical periods starting from the Neolithic Age. The Xinhua Road Silk Culture Street and China Silk City are integrated, covering an area of 25,000 square meters, with nearly a thousand enterprises operating various pure silk fabrics, silk garments, silk raw materials, silk handicrafts, ties, scarves, and silk tourist souvenirs. Products are sold both domestically and internationally, making it China's largest specialized wholesale and retail market for silk. Hangzhou silk is a product of geographical indication in China.

Simultaneously, Hangzhou is also a major production base and distribution center for clothing. For example, Sijiqing, one of the largest clothing distribution centers in China, gathers 15 specialized clothing markets, including the Sijiqing Garment Market and Hangpai Boutique Garment Market. It has over 8,000 clothing businesses, a business area of 210,000 square meters, more than 30,000 employees, and an annual transaction volume of nearly 10 billion yuan. The 1,650-meter-long Wulin Road Women's Wear Street, located in the city center, was renovated and opened in October 2002 and now hosts over 200 brand clothing stores.

11.3 Tea Culture

Hangzhou is known as the "Tea Capital of China" due to its abundant production of West Lake Longjing, one of China's top ten famous teas. West Lake Longjing is a pan-fired green tea produced in the Longjing area within the West Lake scenic region. It is renowned for its "green color, rich aroma, sweet taste, and beautiful shape," making it one of China's most famous green teas, praised as "surpassing the appreciation of a painting and the recitation of a poem." According to tea culture experts, the history of West Lake Longjing dates back approximately 1,500 years. Tea was widely cultivated in Hangzhou during the Tang Dynasty. Lu Yu, the Sage of Tea, wrote in The Classic of Tea, the world's first tea monograph composed in Hangzhou, that "tea is produced in the Tianzhu and Lingyin temples in Qiantang." During the Southern Song Dynasty, tea houses and tea shops were widespread throughout Hangzhou. There were several large tea houses in the bustling Qinghefang area, and many people sold tea from shoulder poles in the streets and alleys. Emperor Qianlong visited Longjing four times to observe and taste tea, inscribing the "Eight Scenes of Longjing" for Longjing Village and even designating eighteen tea trees there as Imperial Tea Trees. Subsequently, Longjing tea became a tribute to the Qing imperial court. From the late Qing and early Republican periods, Longjing tea cultivation spread throughout the areas west and south of West Lake. Today, Maojiabu Tea Village is a famous tourist attraction integrating premium tea product exhibition and sales, tea cuisine, tea houses, tea culture displays, clubs, and leisure entertainment.

In terms of ecological conditions and processing techniques, West Lake Longjing has formed four main production bases: "Shi (Lion), Long (Dragon), Yun (Cloud), and Hu (Tiger)." The pan-firing process typically involves ten major hand movements: "shaking, carrying, squeezing, throwing, straightening, spreading, pressing, grasping, pressing, and grinding." Modern Hangzhou has over 700 tea houses of various sizes. Besides direct consumption, West Lake Longjing is also used to prepare Hangzhou specialty dishes such as Longjing Shrimp.

In addition to West Lake Longjing, Hangzhou also produces Yuhang Jingshan Tea, Tonglu Xue Shui Yun Lu, Chun'an Qiandao Silver Needle, and Lin'an Tianmu Qing Ding. Furthermore, Hangzhou is home to several leading enterprises in the tea beverage industry, such as Wahaha and Nongfu Spring. Hangzhou hosts numerous tea research institutions that gather professional talent, including the China Tea Science Society, the China National Tea Museum, and the Tea Science Department of Zhejiang University. Hangzhou-born writer Wang Xufeng won the 5th Mao Dun Literature Award for her Tea People Trilogy. Hangzhou has also hosted the West Lake International Tea Culture Expo annually since 2005, held each spring in Longwu Tea Town, a characteristic town of Zhejiang Province and a national 4A-level scenic area. Since 2017, the China International Tea Expo, jointly organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and the Zhejiang Provincial People's Government, has been held annually in May at the Hangzhou International Expo Center (not held in 2020 and 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic).

11.4 Festivals and Events

The annual West Lake Expo is a signature event of Hangzhou. Originating in 1929, the first expo lasted 137 days from June 6 to October 20, attracting over 20 million visitors. Its launch not only stimulated the then-depressed industry and commerce but also provided a great business opportunity for operators to promote products and improve enterprise development. It was later suspended for 70 years due to historical reasons. It wasn't until 2000 that the Hangzhou Municipal Government revived and held the second expo, establishing it as a large-scale commercial and trade exhibition held annually in October or November. Operated through market-oriented mechanisms, the West Lake Expo features three main activity sectors—exhibitions, conferences, and events—that complement, interpenetrate, and organically integrate with each other. The content revolves around the city's branding of "Living in Hangzhou," "Traveling in Hangzhou," "Studying in Hangzhou," "Entrepreneurship in Hangzhou," and the requirements of globalization and the new economy. It includes major events such as the Tide-Watching Festival, Boat Festival, Osmanthus Festival, Art Festival, and Fireworks Festival (the event with the highest participation). It serves as an important window and bridge for Hangzhou to showcase new products, develop new technologies, introduce Hangzhou to the world, and let the world understand Hangzhou. From 2000 to 2004, the West Lake Expo held a total of 245 projects including exhibitions, conferences, and festivals, attracting over 31 million merchants and tourists, achieving trade transactions exceeding 41.8 billion yuan, introducing 38 billion yuan in domestic investment, and 3.16 billion USD in foreign investment.

The China International Cartoon & Animation Festival, held annually in Hangzhou from April 28 to May 3 since 2005, is organized by the National Radio and Television Administration and the Zhejiang Provincial Government. It is currently China's only national-level specialized cartoon and animation festival and the largest, most popular, and most influential professional cartoon and animation event in China. In 2012, over 400 Chinese and foreign enterprises and animation professionals from 61 countries and regions, including the United States, Japan, Italy, and the United Kingdom, participated in the festival, competitions, and exhibitions. A total of 2.08 million people attended various activities, including the industry expo, with 165 projects signed amounting to 10.4 billion yuan and a total transaction value of 14.6 billion yuan, a 14% increase from the previous session. It plays a significant role in promoting Hangzhou's goal of building a "Cartoon and Animation Capital," developing the cultural industry, constructing a famous cultural city, and fostering an innovative city.

11.5 Stories and LegendsThe main legends set in Hangzhou include "The Legend of the White Snake" and "The Butterfly Lovers," both of which belong to China's four great folk legends. "The Legend of the White Snake" originated during the Southern Song Dynasty or earlier and became mature and popular during the Qing Dynasty. It features Bai Suzhen and Xu Xian as the main characters, with key plot points in Hangzhou's West Lake including their meeting on the Broken Bridge, borrowing an umbrella, the Leifeng Pagoda, and the sacrifice at the pagoda. "The Butterfly Lovers" is a tragic love legend from the Eastern Jin Dynasty, first recorded in Tang Dynasty documents. Key events in Hangzhou include Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai's "studying in Hangzhou," "sworn brotherhood at the Grass Bridge," and "eighteen farewells" on Phoenix Mountain. Other famous stories include "Yang Naiwu and Little Cabbage," one of the four major unsolved cases of the late Qing Dynasty and China's "greatest love injustice," as well as the tragic fate of the famous courtesan Su Xiaoxiao from the Southern Qi Dynasty. These tragic love stories have been adapted into numerous films, television series, and operas in modern times, widely known and beloved by the public. As a result, Hangzhou has earned the reputation of being the "City of Love."

"Tales of the West Lake" is a book dedicated to recording the stories and legends of Hangzhou. It was compiled in the twelfth year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1673) by the author West Lake Molangzi. The writing purpose was to "examine historical records and collections, consult with learned scholars, and record the most famous events and the best stories." The book consists of sixteen volumes, written in the form of storytelling, with each volume recounting a story related to the West Lake. The main figures recorded include Ge Hong, a Taoist figure from the Jin Dynasty; Bai Juyi, a Tang Dynasty poet; Su Xiaoxiao, a courtesan from the Southern Dynasties; Su Dongpo, a Song Dynasty poet; Lin Bu, a Northern Song Dynasty poet; Jigong, a Southern Song Dynasty monk; Bai Suzhen from the Southern Song Dynasty; Yue Fei, a famous general from the Song Dynasty; and Yu Qian, the Minister of War from the Ming Dynasty.

11.6 Opera

The Yue Opera is the primary opera genre in the Hangzhou region. Notable Yue Opera performance groups include the Zhejiang Yue Opera Troupe, Zhejiang Little Hundred Flowers Yue Opera Troupe, and Hangzhou Yue Opera Theater. Prominent Yue Opera artists from Hangzhou include Zhang Qinjuan, An Sufang, Tu Guifei, Gao Aijuan, Wei Shaoqiu, Chen Shujun, Wu Yuesen, and others. The Zhejiang Art School offers a Yue Opera performance major.

Located in Hangzhou, the Zhejiang Kunqu Opera Troupe is China's first officially established Kunqu performance group. It was founded in 1955 by renowned Kunqu artists Zhou Chuanying, Zhu Guoliang, Wang Chuansong, and others. In 1956, the troupe revived the traditional play "Fifteen Strings of Cash," which caused a sensation nationwide and was highly acclaimed. Kunqu was praised by then Premier Zhou Enlai as the "orchid" in the garden of opera arts. Under the troupe's influence, Kunqu opera flourished across the country. In 1982, the Zhejiang Kunqu Opera Troupe was awarded the "Inheritance and Innovation Award" by the Ministry of Culture, and in 1986, it was commended by the Zhejiang Provincial Government. The troupe's outstanding repertoire includes "Fifteen Strings of Cash," "The West Garden Story," "The Kite's Mistake," "The Palace of Eternal Life," "Ups and Downs," "Picking Up the Painting and Calling Out," "Inscribing a Poem," and "Jiepai Pass."

Originating in Hangzhou, Hangzhou Opera, also known as Wulin Tune or Wulin Troupe, officially took shape and began performing in 1923. It was once popular in Hangzhou and surrounding areas such as Jiaxing and Huzhou. Representative works of Hangzhou Opera include "Silver Vase" and "Li Huiniang." The sung tunes include "Ping Ban," "Mainland Tune," "Wandering Soul Tune," "Da Jing Tune," "Xiao Jing Tune," and "Hangzhou Tanhuang." In May 2005, it was included in the first batch of Zhejiang Province's Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

11.7 Calligraphy, Painting, and Seal Carving

The continuous development of the West Lake's landscape scenery made depicting its scenic beauty a trend in the painting world. During the Southern Song Dynasty, painting the West Lake reached its peak, with members of the royal family and numerous court painters producing landscape paintings of the West Lake. The "Ten Scenes of the West Lake" originated from the works of famous painters of that time.

During the Qianlong era, Hangzhou scholar Ding Jing had a deep passion for seal carving. He enjoyed tracing stone inscriptions from the West Lake's mountains, temples, pagodas, and steles, and meticulously studied various vessel inscriptions and seal albums. Using the cutting knife technique, he developed a unique style characterized by vigor and simplicity, becoming the founder of the "Zhejiang School." From the Qianlong to Xianfeng periods (1736–1861), the Zhejiang School dominated the seal carving world for over a hundred years, marking a peak in the history of Chinese seal carving art. Subsequently, Hangzhou gradually became a center for the study of seal carving art, producing many masters represented by Zhao Zhiqian and Wu Changshuo.

Established in 1900, the Zhejiang Library; founded in 1904, the Xiling Seal Art Society; established in 1928, the National Academy of Art (now the China Academy of Art); and founded in 1929, the Zhejiang Museum have respectively become treasuries for collecting important ancient and modern books, a research center for Chinese seal studies, a cradle for cultivating artists, and a repository for cultural relics. Master calligrapher Sha Menghai and famous painters Pan Tianshou, Huang Binhong, and Chang Shuhong (a native of Hangzhou) have left numerous artistic masterpieces in Hangzhou.

12. Sister Cities

As of September 2019, Hangzhou has established "International Sister City" relationships with 31 foreign cities, formed "Friendly Exchange Relationship Cities" with 46 foreign cities, and established "Friendly Exchange Contact Cities" with several others.

International Sister Cities | No. | Country | First-level Administrative Division | City | Date Established | |----|--------|------------------|---------|-----------------| | 1 | Japan | Gifu Prefecture | Gifu | 1979.02.21 | | 2 | United States | Massachusetts | Boston | 1982.05.01 | | 3 | Philippines | Cordillera Administrative Region | Baguio | 1982.08.13 | | 4 | United Kingdom | England | Leeds | 1988.06.08 | | 5 | Japan | Fukui Prefecture | Fukui | 1989.11.23 | | 6 | South Korea | South Jeolla Province | Yeosu | 1994.11.01 | | 7 | France | Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur | Nice | 1998.03.30 | | 8 | Suriname | Paramaribo District | Paramaribo | 1998.05.23 | | 9 | Hungary | Budapest Capital City | Budapest | 1999.08.03 | | 10 | Israel | Jerusalem District | Beit Shemesh | 2000.03.12 | | 11 | Morocco | Souss-Massa Region | Agadir | 2000.06.25 | | 12 | Brazil | Paraná State | Curitiba | 2001.09.19 | | 13 | Russia | Republic of Tatarstan | Kazan | 2003.10.16 | | 14 | South Africa | Western Cape Province | Cape Town | 2005.04.18 | | 15 | Spain | Principality of Asturias | Oviedo | 2006.05.12 | | 16 | Italy | Tuscany | Pisa | 2008.10.17 | | 17 | Mexico | Quintana Roo State | Cancún | 2008.10.17 | | 18 | Germany | Saxony State | Dresden | 2009.10.16 | | 19 | South Korea | Gyeonggi Province | Suwon City | 2009.10.16 | | 20 | Fiji | Western Division | Nadi | 2010.10.15 | | 21 | Jamaica | Saint James Parish | Montego Bay | 2010.10.15 | | 22 | Finland | North Ostrobothnia Region | Oulu | 2011.10.13 | | 23 | Japan | Shizuoka Prefecture | Hamamatsu | 2012.04.06 | | 24 | United States | Indiana State | Indianapolis | 2012.08.16 | | 25 | South Korea | Jeju Special Self-Governing Province | Seogwipo | 2012.10.13 | | 26 | Switzerland | Ticino Canton | Lugano | 2012.10.13 | | 27 | Croatia | Split-Dalmatia County | Split | 2014.10.16 | | 28 | Argentina | Santa Cruz Province | El Calafate | 2014.10.16 | | 29 | New Zealand | Otago Region | Queenstown | 2014.10.16 | | 30 | Slovenia | City Municipality of Maribor | Maribor | 2017.11.20 | | 31 | Malaysia | Sabah State | Kota Kinabalu | 2019.09.20 |

International Sister Cities of Hangzhou's Districts and Counties

| Country | City Name | Superior Administrative Division | Signing City | Date Established | Paired District/County | |-----|------|--------|----------|-----------------|-------------------| | Japan | Kōfu City | Yamanashi Prefecture | Kōfu City | 1993.10.14 | Xiaoshan City (now Xiaoshan District, Hangzhou) | | United States | Riverbank | California | Fuyang City | 2004.04.13 | Fuyang City (now Fuyang District, Hangzhou) | | United States | Greenwich | Connecticut | Text Exchange | 2018.11.29 | Shangcheng District |

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No. 18 Jiefang East Road, Sijiqing Subdistrict, Shangcheng District

Shangcheng District

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Camphor tree

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