The 2024 Hangzhou Metropolitan Area Inbound Tourism Promotion Conference was held in Hangzhou on 30 October 2024. Key highlights of the event included the "5,000 Years of China, See Hangzhou" tourism product and the "AI Hangzhou" travel service brand, which are designed to enhance Hangzhou's appeal among international visitors. The event concluded with the unveiling of "Jiangnan Dream Journey" – a collection of scenic routes across Hangzhou, Jiaxing, Huzhou, Shaoxing, Quzhou, and Anhui's Huangshan and Xuancheng.

Promotion Conference

I had the honor of participating in and inspecting the recommended scenic spots. Along with colleagues from other invited domestic travel agencies, we embarked on a 5-day trip to inspect the recommended scenic spots and experience the local culture.

On October 31st, we visited the West Lake and Deshou Palace, both of which are located in the downtown area. It is easy to get there by public transport.

West Lake, located in the heart of Hangzhou, is one of China's most renowned and picturesque scenic spots. Surrounded by rolling hills, lush forests, and ancient temples, it is a popular destination for both tourists and locals. Here are some ways to appreciate the beauty of West Lake:

-Electric Sightseeing Buses Around the Lake
  West Lake features sightseeing electric buses that operate in four sections: the Youth Palace to Yongjin Gate, Yongjin Gate to Leifeng Pagoda, Leifeng Pagoda to Yue Temple, and Yue Temple back to the Youth Palace . These buses pass by various scenic spots, including the Youth Palace, Storm Pavilion, Lakeside Tea House, Volunteer Army Statue, Longxiang Bridge Station, and more. The total distance is about 13.5 kilometers, and the operation time is approximately 60 to 70 minutes. The buses are available for boarding and alighting at any point along the route, with tickets purchased on board via electronic payment.

The standard cart charges 40 RMB per person for a full-lake trip and 10 RMB per section, while the antique-style cart charges 80 RMB per person for a full-lake trip and 20 RMB per section. Operating hours are from 8:30 to 17:00 daily, with extended hours in the summer.

- Boat Tours 
West Lake offers a variety of boat tours, including:

*Circular Cruise Boats: These boats take you around the lake without stopping at any islands.

*Island-Hopping Boats: These boats allow you to disembark and explore the islands within West Lake, such as *Xiaoyingzhou Island (Three Ponds Mirroring the Moon).

*Customized Boat Tours: Tailor-made boat services based on tourists' specific needs.
Flexible pricing based on stops and Boat Types.  

Each of these methods offers a unique perspective on the lake's beauty, from the convenience of electric buses to the tranquility of a boat ride. No matter how you choose to explore, West Lake's charm is sure to captivate you.

West Lake 西湖

After visiting the West Lake, we went to Deshou Palace, which is about a 10-minute drive from the Yongjin Gate.

Deshou Palace is a historical site in Hangzhou, China, with origins dating back to the Southern Song Dynasty. It was the residence of Qin Hui, a Song Dynasty official, and later served as the retirement palace for Emperor Gaozong after his abdication. The palace was also the residence of Emperor Xiaozong during his retirement. Today, the Deshou Palace is preserved as the Southern Song Dynasty Deshou Palace Ruins Museum, which showcases the archaeological remains and offers a glimpse into the grandeur of the imperial life of the Southern Song period. However, due to the conditions of the excavation site and the need for preservation, only a portion of the Deshou Palace is currently exhibited. The museum presents the historical culture and palatial architectural style of the Southern Song Dynasty to the public through various means, including on-site exhibits, indoor displays, and digital restorations.
 

Visiting the Deshou Palace Site Museum in Hangzhou requires online reservation, and the admission is free of charge. Visitors can make a reservation for a free visit up to three days in advance (including the day of the visit) through the official WeChat public account of the "Southern Song Dynasty Deshou Palace Ruins Museum". The reservation channel opens promptly at 9:00 AM every day for timed reservations, which include four time slots: 9:30-11:00, 11:00-13:00, 13:00-15:00, and 15:00-16:30. After successful reservation, visitors can enter the museum with their reservation code or ID card for verification and are expected to comply with the museum's visiting regulations during their visit. 

Deshou Palace Site Museum 德寿宫

In the evening, we watched a fantastic show - ‘X’ Show at the Sun Theater, which is a short walk from the Radisson Blu Hangzhou Xintiandi. It is a 30-minute drive from the downtown area. The theater design incorporates 360-degree revolving seating, ensuring that every seat provides a unique view of the stage.

The Hangzhou X Show is the 45th original production of Cirque du Soleil, featuring a rich storyline with multi-dimensional characters, surreal universes, stunning visuals, and high-energy action and acrobatics. The audience is divided into two sections, "Petra" and "Aria", with moving seating platforms that shift and transform along with the performance. The show offers an immersive experience driven by high-energy action, acrobatics, rich symbolism, and artistry.

Weekday Performances:  Wednesdays - Saturdays at 19:30 - 20:43.

Sunday Performances:  15:00 - 16:13.
The show is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. There is an additional performance at 15:00 - 16:13 during Chinese Public holidays.
Please note that the schedule can be subject to change.

X show

On November 1st, We went to Puyuan Ancient Town and experienced the  Xixi’s Holographic Projection Immersive Night Tour 'Together at Xixi Tonight'.

Puyuan Ancient Town,also called Puyuan Fashion Resort, is located in Tongxiang City, Jiaxing, Zhejiang. It is a historical and cultural town with a thousand years of history. It is known for its rich cultural heritage and unique Jiangnan water town scenery, making it an ideal place for visitors to relax and enjoy a slow-paced lifestyle. The ancient town scenic area not only recaptures the old charm of the Jiangnan water town but also incorporates the unique merchant culture of Puyuan, creating a series of shops that restore the old bustling atmosphere of Puyuan. Puyuan is the largest sweater market in China, integrating the construction of the ancient town with the fashion industry to create a  "Puyuan Fashion Ancient Town." The town has also developed a variety of boutique hotels and homestays of different sizes, categories, and unique characteristics.

On the day we visited, it was raining, which made it very quiet with few tourists and vendors around. The place had the feel of a landscape park, and I'm not sure if foreigners like it.

Entrance ticket:120RMB

Puyuan Ancient Town 濮院古镇

In the evening, we went back to Hangzhou and experienced 'Together at Xixi Tonight' (70 minutes).

'Together at Xixi Tonight' is an original immersive drama that showcases the charm of the Song Dynasty, with the Hongyuan area of Xixi Wetland serving as its backdrop. The performance artfully blends behavior art, music, song, dance, recitation, and drama, enhanced by artistic lighting, holographic sound systems, fountains, fog effects, and holographic projections. The audience is immersed in the performance with 360-degree rotating audience seats that move in sync with the narrative, creating a dynamic viewing experience.
There's a lot of Chinese dialogue in the show, and no English summary is provided. Foreign visitors will enjoy the show more if they have a guide.
Performance Schedule: The show typically runs from Tuesday to Sunday, with specific timings varying by season.     Ticket Price: 138RMB per person

Together at Xixi Tonight 今夕共西溪

November 2-3，we visited  Hengdian World Studios, Longyou Caves and Longyou Ancient Residences Garden in Longyou county, as well as Yanzhou Ancient City in Jiande.

Hengdian World Studios could attract more visitors from Southeast Asia because  they are familiar with Chinese TV shows.
At Hengdian World Studios, you can buy tickets for one area or a ticket for all areas.  

Hengdian World Studios 横店影视城

I would like to recommend Longyou Caves, Longyou Ancient Residences Garden, and Yanzhou Ancient City. Besides exploring the modern city and famous landmarks, visiting these places can enrich travelers' experiences of the local ancient buildings and the lifestyle of the local people in the Jiangnan area. We can arrange a one-day tour or stay one night in Longyou County to visit these three places. It is perfect for travelers with a tight schedule who still want to have a full experience.

Please find detailed information for the three places below:

Longyou is a county under the jurisdiction of Quzhou City, located a 2.5-hour drive from Hangzhou by car.

Longyou Ancient Residences Garden: Some ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties, originally located in Longyou's rural areas but lacking adequate on-site protection conditions, have been relocated here to form a concentrated protection area. The garden boasts a variety of architectural features, including pavilions, ancestral halls, archways, and covered bridges, each of which tells a story about the region's prosperous past.

Ticket Price：free

Longyou Ancient Residences Garden 龙游民居苑

Longyou Caves: This is a mysterious underground complex. Within an area of 0.38 square kilometers, there are 24 caves of varying sizes, ranging in size from 1,000 to 3,000 square meters. These caves seem to be arranged in a specific pattern on the hills. Each cave begins with a rectangular opening and extends vertically downward, reaching a height of approximately 30 meters. At the top, they have a distinctive "reversed bucket" shape. Inside, there are 3 to 4 massive "fishtail-shaped" stone pillars that are scientifically distributed and seamlessly integrated with the cave ceiling.

Ticket Price：free   

Longyou Caves 龙游石窟

Yanzhou Ancient City lies on the route from Hangzhou to Longyou, accessible by a 1.5-hour drive from Hangzhou. It is renowned for its ancient architecture, traditional streets, and historical significance.  

Ticket Price：free

Yanzhou Ancient City 严州古城

Please note that the prices mentioned above may be subject to change. Therefore, it is recommended to confirm the prices through official channels before purchasing tickets. This information is for your reference only.

On November 4th, we visited Alibaba's headquarters, located in Area A, which is currently not open to the public for tours. It is accessible by a 40-minute drive from the downtown area.

Alibaba 阿里巴巴

The following are the hotels recommended for this inspection.

1. Name: Zhongwei Goethe Hotel 杭州中维歌德大酒店 5*
    Add: 19 Xihu Avenue, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, about 1 km to Duanqiao. 杭州上城区西湖大道19号

2. Name: Wyndham Grand Plaza Royale 杭州温德姆至尊豪廷大酒店 5*
   Add: 55,Fengqi Road, Gongshi District, Hangzhou, about 700 meters from Hangzhou Train Station. 杭州拱墅区凤起路555号

3. Name: Meishang Resort 濮院梅尚度假酒店 5钻

   Add: Next to the tourist service center of the Fashion Ancient Town.  濮院时尚古镇游客服务中心旁

4. Name: Puyuan Fashion Ancient Town Grand Hotel 濮院时尚古镇濮锦大酒店5钻

   Add: opposite the parking lot of Fashion Ancient Town. 桐乡寺浜路濮院时尚古镇停车场对面

I hope the above information is helpful. Thank you for reading.

Yours Truly

Rita Ju - Charmission Travel