Hangzhou:
Hear and Now
The senses play a huge part in forming the experiences that stand out in our mind. Musical superstar Wang Leehom showcases the tranquil and fresh beauty of Hangzhou, where the sounds of gentle breezes, the rustle of leaves and the soft ripples of the West Lake are bound to live on in the memory for those who explore the Chinese province.
There’s a stillness at dawn on Hangzhou’s West Lake that resembles the ultimate getaway for those desperately seeking a respite from the stresses of cities, work, people… and life.
In the distance, a fisherman sets his boat out on the water, his oars gently stroking through the water as he searches for an early morning catch. A family of mallards make their debut daily foray into the lake, sending out soft ripples. Squirrels begin to rustle in the trees on the water’s edge, while birds make their first hopeful calls overhead. The sun is beginning to rise on the horizon, and with it, the outlines of the Lake’s famed, historic pagodas can be seen.
A LIVING POETRY OF
THE ORIENTAL
The five story Leifeng Pagoda, built way back in 975 AD, and recently rebuilt in 2002, stands majestically to the south, while the finely-crafted Baochu Pagoda to the north belies its seven-story size. These are just two of the many landmarks along a lake that have been the subject of romanticism and poetry throughout numerous Chinese dynasties.
The nearly 4,000-hectare West Lake (once known as the Wu Forest River) has been a peaceful retreat and inspiration for poets, nature lovers, visitors and residents alike for centuries. In the morning, its softness inspires to meet the day while in the evening, the glow of lights along the Lake’s numerous landmarks — all reachable by bus tours on a daily basis — cast a mesmerizing spell across the gentle water.
The lake, located to the west of Hangzhou, China was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2001. This comes as no surprise. Sit anywhere along its shores and one can see both beauty and history. Row in the West Lake waters and one can feel romance, can sense peace and hear nature unfolding.
Midway along China’s eastern coast, Hangzhou is located along the Hanzhou Bay, with Shanghai being a nearby neighbor. Where the latter was always recognized as a major center for trade, Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province, has always been prized for its sense of beauty more than its prosperity. In the 14th century, Italian explorer Marco Polo called Hangzhou the city that was “greater than any in the world”.
The lake, located to the west of Hangzhou, China was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2001. This comes as no surprise. Sit anywhere along its shores and one can see both beauty and history. Row in the West Lake waters and one can feel romance, can sense peace and hear nature unfolding.
Midway along China’s eastern coast, Hangzhou is located along the Hanzhou Bay, with Shanghai being a nearby neighbor. Where the latter was always recognized as a major center for trade, Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province, has always been prized for its sense of beauty more than its prosperity. In the 14th century, Italian explorer Marco Polo called Hangzhou the city that was “greater than any in the world”.
In the morning, its softness inspires to meet the day while in the evening, the glow of lights along the Lake’s numerous landmarks.
LIVING
CHINESE POETRY
Today, Chinese-American singer Wang Leehom, known as “the king of Chinese pop”, is drawn to the city because its gentle sounds provide inspiration.
Southwest of the lake, he visits the Bamboo Lined Path at Yunqi. The path is one kilometer long and lined with towering bamboo trees, some that have lived over 1,000 years. A gentle breeze blowing through the thousands of trees offers a soft, wispy, calming sound, one that has provided poets with sense-invoking verses through the generations. The dense number of trees gives way to a surprising amount of light as one heads along the stone footpath towards such calming diversions as the “Mind Purifying Pond”, the “Meeting Rain Pavilion” and ultimately, the Clouds Lingering Temple, a location beyond earthly worries.
A gentle breeze blowing through the thousands of trees offers a soft, wispy, calming sound.
ENTRANCED BY
THE RHYTHMIC SOUNDS
At the Hu Qing Yu Tang Pharmacy, two kilometers east of the West Lake, Wang hears the sounds of men and women preparing Chinese medicine in the traditional manner that they have done since the pharmacy was founded in 1874. The ornate wooden and gold furnishings of the Grand Hall give way to a museum where one can learn about the different types of medicines that are commonly used, before watching practitioners stealthily cut the herbs they’ll utilize for various treatments. The sound is a steady rhythmic sifting, a gentle jazz-like percussion brush that punctuates this living classroom for curious visitors.
The sound is a steady rhythmic sifting, a gentle jazz-like percussion brush that punctuates this living classroom for curious visitors.
A TASTE OF FLAVOR
To the west of the lake, scores of Longjing tea pluckers pick leaves on the lush 800-acre fields that are surrounded by mountains off into the distance. It’s here that Wang is entranced by the rhythmic sounds of hands snapping leaves from their tree stems, destined for baskets that will eventually be sorted into four varieties of dragon well tea, a variety of green tea that has grown for over a thousand years. Amidst the Meijawu Village, the Longjing Park and the Longjing Village, one can sit for a cup of one of the best and freshest teas in the country, the soft sound of boiling water on the fresh leaves giving way to a strong scent and a sweet, delicious flavor.
The soft sound of boiling water on the fresh leaves giving way to a strong scent and a sweet, delicious flavor.
A TAPESTRY
OF HISTORY
The sheer variety of museums, temples and natural attractions in Hangzhou is vast. The China Silk Museum, for example, is, at 50,000 square meters, the largest such museum in the world. The free-of-charge venue showcases silk relics that date back 5,000 years, in addition to being a comprehensive look at every aspect of the silk journey. Live silk weaving is a sight and sound attraction, as the vibrancy of the colors becoming intertwined is matched by the buzzing whirl of the silk spinning amidst the loom.
Live silk weaving is a sight and sound attraction, as the vibrancy of the colors becoming intertwined is matched by the buzzing whirl of the silk spinning amidst the loom.
A HARMONIOUS
LOCALE
A walk along the grounds of the Lingyin Temple provides a profound sense of calm and peace. As gentle breezes saunter through the surrounding trees, one of the country’s largest Buddhist temples stands majestically. Dating back to 326 AD, its vast sacred halls are surrounded by yet more attractions in the form of a nearby mountain. Fei Lai Fang, made of limestone and standing at 168 meters high, consists of 345 handcrafted statues that were carved during several Chinese dynasties. The feeling one gets when looking at these ancient wonders is awe-inspiring. The senses tingle.
As gentle breezes saunter through the surrounding trees, one of the country’s largest Buddhist temples stands majestically.
A CALMING
OASIS
For a harmonious locale that rivals the West Lake, the XiXi Wetland Park, the country’s first, is an oasis of peace. Take an electric boat to the Xixi Plum Villa, a group of farmhouses serving as a backdrop to the spectacular fuchsia plum blossom trees that lie throughout the area. Then, journey through one of the three main causeways while watching and listening for water and wildlife. The gentle wind flowing through the giant green reeds is a constant audio accompaniment throughout the 10 square kilometer park.
The gentle wind flowing through the giant green reeds is a constant audio accompaniment throughout the 10 square kilometer park.
A JOURNEY
BACK
Inevitably though, the call of the city will be too big to ignore. Qianjiang’s central business district and the spectacular 15 story Hangzhou International Conference Center serve as landmark gateways for the city’s nearly 22 million residents. The traditions of Qinghefang Street give way to Wulin Street’s daily bustle, before succumbing to the charms of the Wulin and Wushan Street night markets. Amidst it all, one can get a respite from the loud hustle and bustle with a taste of the city’s famed noodles, fish, shrimp and bamboo shoots.
Hangzhou is a city on the move, soon to be the home of the 2022 Asian Games. Yet it’s also, as Wang Leehom has learned, a journey back to a time of peace and harmony, one where the sounds of nature and craftsmanship are still prominent, where a sense of calm and rejuvenation will always beckon.
Hangzhou is a city on the move, soon to be the home of the 2022 Asian Games. Yet it’s also, as Wang Leehom has learned, a journey back to a time of peace and harmony, one where the sounds of nature and craftsmanship are still prominent, where a sense of calm and rejuvenation will always beckon.