When snow falls and covers everything in silvery white, it is a spectacular sight to behold.
Although we don’t see much snow in Hangzhou, the West Lake in winter, shrouded in mist, together with the fallen yellow leaves, is a beautiful scene different from usual. Hangzhou in winter always has its own charm. If I meet you in Hangzhou during winter, I shall take you to do the following 9 things.
The 1st Thing to Do:
Explore the Colorful Winter
In winter, I must show you the colors of Hangzhou and take you on a tour to experience the bright splendor of winter. In-between fall and winter, stunning “colorful blockbusters” are about to come out right away. The red of map trees and the yellow of gingko trees are the colors of the season and a surprise offered by Hangzhou in limited time.
The 2nd Thing to Do:
Take a Pilgrimage Trip to Faxi Temple
In winter, I must take you to Faxi Temple. Stroll along Tianzhu Road to start the pilgrimage trip. It is a stone-paved road lined with towering trees. The dark yellow walls of the courtyards hidden among the trees are visible occasionally. And there are cute amulets which can be worn by yourself or given to relatives or friends as gifts. It is very meaningful.
The 3rd Thing to Do:
Read a Book at Hangzhou’s Most Beautiful and Biggest Bookstore Tsutaya Bookstore
In winter, I must take you to the Tsutaya Bookstore in Hangzhou to experience the magic of art and culture and “listen to” the poetry of the city. The bookstore has a dedicated coffee area. You can enjoy coffee while reading a book, a quiet moment for reading in winter, accompanied by coffee.
The 4th Thing to Do:
Drink a Cup of Hot Tea at a Quiet Teahouse
In winter, I must take you to a teahouse on a leisurely afternoon. Choose a quiet teahouse, let go of all the worries and start a date with tea. With snow falling outside, enjoying tea while talking about the past and present in the house should be quite an elegant thing to do. Just pick a nice day to free yourself from the mass trivial things of life!
The 5th Thing to Do:
Enjoy Hot Spring in Tuankou
In winter, I must take you to the hot spring in Tuankou for a warm bath. On a snowy winter day, it is such an enjoyment to be embraced by warm water. Look up at the starry sky, take in the fresh air filled with the fragrance of flowers, feel the warmth of the hot spring and close your eyes. Enjoy all the comfort and relaxation of soaking in the hot spring.
The 6th Thing to Do:
Ski on Daming Mountain
In winter, I must take you to ski on Daming Mountain. This is the largest outdoor alpine ski resort in East China, with a drop of 250 meters. It is quite thrilling and exciting! Hangzhou is usually short of snow, but Daming Mountain is an exception. It is often the first place in Hangzhou to have snowfall. Among the steep mountains, the magnificent peaks clad in silvery white are extremely beautiful.
The 7th Thing to Do:
Have the Lamb Stew in Cangqian
In winter, I must take you to Cangqian to taste the lamb stew. For a foodie, in the coldest winter, there is nothing to compare with the warmth given by a bowl of lamb soup. Pick any of the aromatic lamb rolling in the steaming soup and put it in your mouth and it will immediately dispel the coldness.
The 8th Thing to Do:
Buy Roasted Chestnuts from a Street Stall
In winter, I must take you to buy a bag of hot and fragrant chestnuts from a street stall. While they are hot, the shells can be easily snapped off. The chestnuts are golden, and taste sweet and sticky in the mouth. Its sweet scent fills the streets. The warmth of winter lies on the chestnuts.
The 9th Thing to Do:
Enjoy the Duck Stew with Bamboo Shoots at Zhangshengji Restaurant
In winter, I must take you to have the famous duck stew in Zhangshengji. With fresh bamboo shoots and tender meat, it has a sweet aftertaste. As you uncover the pot, a mellow and fresh smell instantly rises to the tip of your nose and you will see the soup bubbling in the pot, topped with yellow duck oil. The strong impact on both sight and smell will surely make your mouth water.