Speaking of Hangzhou specialties, what do you have in mind? West Lake Longjing Green Tea? Hangzhou Silk? Lotus root starch, West Lake Carp in Sweet and Sour Sauce, Dongpo Pork? No just them! The “treasure specialties” of Hangzhou are far more abundant than you think.
Hangzhou’s “Treasure Specialty”, The Shared Cultural Heritage of Mankind
When it comes to Hangzhou, the first thing springing to people’s minds is always West Lake. No doubt that West Lake is beautiful, but the beauty of Hangzhou has never been confined to West Lake. Walking into Liangzhu and touching the history of over 5000 years, you’ll find that historical things are equally intoxicating.
Liangzhu Culture
Liangzhu Culture is 5,300 to 4,300 years old and is regarded as the earliest state form in East Asia.Liangzhu Culture presents the early state of the country that took rice farming as its economic support and had social differentiation and a unified belief system. It manifests the outstanding contribution that the Yangtze River Basin made to the origin of Chinese civilization. Liangzhu is a sacred place that proves China’s over 5000-year-old civilization.
Liangzhu Ancient City is the core of Liangzhu Culture. It has witnessed the history and development of the early regional civilization of China. As the power and belief center of Liangzhu Culture, Liangzhu Ancient City was formed about over 5000 years ago and includes a series of related sites such as a large-scale city site, a complex periphery water conservancy system, and hierarchical cemeteries (including altars).
Hangzhou’s “Treasure Specialty”, The Romantic Love Witnessed by All
The Jiangnan Region, tender as water, is abundant in many romantic legends, which is even more true in Hangzhou, where a lot of love buds are seen, like the encounter that the White Snake and Xu Xian had on the Broken Bridge, the farewell that Liang Shanbo said to Zhu Yingtai on the Long Bridge ...
The White Snake and Xu Xian
The name of the Broken Bridge originated in the Tang Dynasty. There are two explanations for the name, one says that the road of the Solitary Hill is broken (ends) here, hence the name; the other says, the bridge used to be called Duan’s Bridge and Duan is the homonym of the word “Broken” in Chinese.
According to legend, the White Snake and Xu Xian entered into their thousand-year-old predestined love on the Broken Bridge, hence, the bridge is known as one of the three lovers’ bridges of West Lake. To requite his favor of saving its life in his previous life, the White Snake transformed into a beautiful lady and came across Xu Xian on the Broken Bridge in West Lake.
Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai
The romantic encounter that the White Snake and Xu Xian had on the Broken Bridge is touching, and the “Eighteen Times of Farewell” witnessed by the Long Bridge is also moving.
The Long Bridge is located at the southeast corner of the West Lake, near Jingci Temple. According to historical records, outside Qianhu Gate (钱湖门) in the Song Dynasty, the water is broad and there is a bridge across the water surface. The bridge has three gates and a pavilion. It is over 500 meters in length and is magnificent. The bridge is called the Long Bridge.
Hangzhou’s “Treasure Specialty”, The Condensed City Marks
The natural landscape, so to speak, stands for the magic craftsmanship of nature, and is also the well-meaning gift from nature, but it’s not the same case with time-honored stores and culture of a place, which are the accumulation of people’s work and the strength carried by the enduring culture. Speaking of Hangzhou’s “treasure specialties”, how can we forget those time-honored stores?
Zhang Xiaoquan
In China’s knife and scissors industry, there has always been a saying, which goes, “there is Zhang Xiaoquan in the south, Cao Zhengxing in the center and Wang Mazi in the north”.The history of Zhang Xiaoquan can be traced back to the Ming Dynasty （1368-1644） and now has a history of 400 years.
Wang Xingji
Hangzhou is a noted fan-making city in China. Since the Southern Song Dynasty, many fan-making artisans have gathered here. In 1875, a man named Wang Xingzhai (王星斋) opened Wang Xingji Fan Store in Qinghefang Street. It now has a history of 145 years.
Hu Qing Yu Tang
Strolling in the Hefang Street at the foot of Wushan Hill, the huge black Chinese characters on the white wall, which reads “胡庆余堂国药号 (Hu Qing Yu Tang Traditional Chinese Medicine Pharmacy)” heave into sight.
Kophenix
The old “five Hang’s” of Hangzhou refers to Hangzhou scissors, Hangzhou powder, Hangzhou fan, Hangzhou brocade and Hangzhou Cigar. Among them, the Hangzhou Powder refers to Kophenix.Kophenix Powder Store was originally established in 1862 by a man from Xiaoshan named Kong Chuanhong (孔传鸿) and now has a history of 158 years.
Hangzhou’s “Treasure Specialty”, The Jiangnan Charm in People’s Memory
The Jiangnan Region, which is tender as water, never lacks the nourishing of water. In people’s memories, the charm of the Jiangnan Region is always associated with a boat sailing across a river, leaving behind small ripples. When making an inventory of Hangzhou’s “Treasure Specialties”, you will find that water is always involved.
West Lake
Speaking of water and lakes in Hangzhou, West Lake is always brought up. West Lake is a place that can offer you new scenery every...
Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal
If you say West Lake is the heart of Hangzhou City, then Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, Hangzhou Section is the blood of Hangzhou...
Xixi National Wetland Park
With strong mist and fog and a tranquil natural environment, Xixi is like an intoxicating Song Dynasty poem and a water and ink...
The water of Hangzhou is far more than these. The broadness of Qiantang River, the tranquil and beautiful Fuchun River, the elegance of Qiandao Lake, the charming Xianghu Lake ... It’s the slow-flowing water that nourishes Hangzhou city and Hangzhou people, creating the gentle background color of the city.
Hangzhou’s “Treasure Specialty”, The “Real Specialty” of Hangzhou City
When counting Hangzhou’s “true” specialties, you will find that there are so many that one doesn’t know which one to choose.
Longjing Tea
The reputation of Hangzhou’s Longjing green tea is widely spread and it was inscribed on the list of UNESCO World Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Hangzhou is even praised as “the Capital of Tea”...
West Lake Lotus Root Starch
“West Lake Lotus Root Starch” is definitely on the list of the top three must-buy specialties of Hangzhou. In history, lotus root starch was consumed by imperial courts and was reputed to be “imperial starch”...
West Lake Silk Parasol
West Lake Silk Parasol uses bamboo as parasol ribs and silk as the fabric. It is light and pleasing to the eye, beautiful in style, and easy to carry. It has long enjoyed the praise of “West Lake Flower”...
Tianzhu Chopsticks
It’s probably that only the old Hangzhou natives know about Tianzhu Chopsticks. The production area of the chopsticks is in Three Tianzhu’s, which is a blessed land of Buddhism, hence the chopsticks are believed...
Lin’an Walnut
The reputation of Lin’an Walnut is widely spread. They are big in size, have thin shells and taste crispy. If you don’t want to go to the trouble to husk them, you can buy unshelled walnut directly. The freshly-made...
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