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Introducing Zhèjiāng
Zhèjiāng may be one of China’s smallest provinces but it’s hardly insignificant. For centuries it’s been a prosperous culture centre, home to some of China’s most influential thinkers, politicians and artists. Today Zhèjiāng is a thriving commercial hub, with tourism as its number one draw. Its rich history and natural beauty offer something for every taste, whether you’re into biking, ceramic making, or just lounging on the beach.
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The province can be divided into two parts: the Yangzi River delta area north of Hángzhōu, a region of green rolling hills, tea plantations and twisting rivers, and the mountainous area to the south that borders the rugged terrain of Fújiàn.
Zhèjiāng’s best-known sites are in the north. Hángzhōu, the capital, is home to idyllic West Lake, which Marco Polo once compared to paradise. The city is also famous for its tea and has long been a centre of silk production. Not far from Hángzhōu is the waterside city of Shàoxīng, once the home of such notables as Lu Xun, one of China’s most famous 20th-century writers. Further north, along the border of Jiāngsū are the water towns of Wūzhèn and Nánxún, with their arched bridges, winding canals and views of rural life.
Southern Zhèjiāng is a region of wild beauty, with jagged mountain peaks and rocky, unspoiled valleys. The thriving trade city of Wēnzhōu is a perfect place to base yourself for rambles into the countryside. If hiking isn’t your thing, perhaps you should head to the tranquil Buddhist island of Pǔtuóshān; with its clean sandy beaches and lively temples it’s a wonderful place for some rural respite.
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
