Hangzhou, the capital and largest city of Zhejiang Province in Eastern China, is home to more than 8-million residents and located just 50 minutes from Shanghai by high-speed train.

Xixi Wetland Park (above and below)

The city is well-known throughout China for its beautiful natural scenery, including the UNESCO World Heritage site, West Lake, and for its lush, mountainous vegetation.

West Lake in Early Spring

Broken Bridge in Snow

Birds in Xixi Wetland

It is a romanticized city on the Silk Road which was visited by Marco Polo, and is home to Hefang Street, an authentic shopping street that has been restored to its former Song Dynasty-era glory.

Hangzhou is home to Lingyin Temple, one of the largest Buddhist temples in all of China, and is a popular place for visitors and locals alike to make wishes.

Lingyin Temple (above and below)

The city boasts a dining scene which offers restaurants featuring beautiful views of West Lake and city, and delicious cuisine of local flavors.

Tea House along the river by Wang Hua

West Lake at night

Longjing Tea Garden by Chen Hailin

Hangzhou seamlessly blends traditional China with conveniences of modern living.

Here, Stephanie Oswald, an Emmy-winning producer, travel correspondent for the ABC affiliate in New Orleans, and the founding editor of Travelgirl Magazine, shares with our Wandering Educators the cultural riches of Hangzhou, including the community aspects of West Lake, tea harvesting, museums, porcelain, silk dying, and more.