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HANGZHOU TODAY |
| The notable historical and cultural Chinese city of Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang Province, is a city of 6 million people located an easy 180 kms from Shanghai. a two hour drive via freeway, or even quicker by high speed train. With an outstanding new international airport, and situated in the midst of lakes, rivers and mountains, the economically prosperous Hangzhou City has long been regarded as among the most desirable travel and tourism destinations in China. Hangzhou has been honored as the national garden green city, the best tourist city in China, and the national environment protection demo city. The United Nations has also recognized Hangzhou through its presentation of the human residence award. |
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| As the old saying has it, "In the sky there is heaven ... on earth there is Hangzhou," this heavenly city, Hangzhou, has long been known as a paradise of leisure activities. As the location of the 2006 World Leisure Expo, Hangzhou will becomen the "Oriental Leisure Metropolis." |
| AN ANCIENT CITY AND CAPITAL |
For almost 10,000 years there have people living in the Hangzhou area. In the 21st century BC, during his many travels to further aquatic engineering in China, Emperor Yu of the Xia Dynasty once moored his boat by the town; a fact which gave Hangzhou its name. Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty constructed the Grand Canal from Beijing to its southern terminus at Hangzhou which greatly facilitated the city's economic and cultural development. In the twelfth and thirteenth centuries the Southern Song Dynasty had its capital in Hangzhou , bringing the city into the heart of national politics, economics and culture. Hangzhou then was not only the largest city in the whole country, but also one of the most prosperous metropolises in the world.
 Ever since ancient times Hangzhou has flourised as a southeastern scenic resort. During the course of its history, many national heroes have originated from Hangzhou, ranging from Yue Fei, the well-known anti-Tartar general during the Southern Song Period, to Qui Jin, heroine and martyr of the Revolution of 1911. The immortal poets, Bai Juyi of the Tang, and Su Dongpo of the Song were both governors of Hangzhou and both popular for their thoughtfullness to the common people. The scientific figures Shen Kua and Bi Sheng, who invented movable type, furthered the progress of Chinese civilization. These notable personages and a multitude of others have created the image of Hangzhou as a center of culture and civilization. |
| MODERN HANGZHOU |
In 2003, Hangzhou welcomed a total of 28,000,000 domestic and overseas visitors. Greeting the new century, an international tourist city has risen on the shore of the East China Sea. Recent efforts to raise the number and quality of tourist amenities and attractions have led to many high quality tours embracing not only the city of Hangzhou itself but also the many natural and cultural destinations within easy traveling distance of it. Hangzhou is showcasing its beauty to the world!
The flourishing development of education has brough additional prosperity to the city and made science, technology, culutre and the arts flourish. "Study in Hangzhou" has become a popular phrase. At all levels Hangzhou's modern educational system has taken shape. Comprehensively pursuing the goal of making the city notable for the number and quality of its universities and colleges, the city has spared no efforts in the development. and construction of campuses for higher education. Hangzhou will become a scientific and technical center and a cultural and ecologically sound city.
 The city is seizing the opportunity of China's entry into the World Trade Organization and improving its investment environment so that this beautiful, and ancient city will become even more desirable for entrepreneurial investment. Currently, Hangzhou is energetically developing its high-tech industry building a new "Silicon Valley", an information enterprise zone, a medical research zone, and a national high-technology industry zone. Hangzhou's High-technology Software Zone has been listed as a national software industry base and the Overseas Scholar Business Zone has been listed by the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office as a key contact unit.
As well,a developed traffic netowork, air freight and passenger transport facilities, railways, and waterways extend in all directions so that Hangzhou has close and easy contact with all of China and the world beyond. Thus, the industrial, commercial and educational infrastructure have mde it ever more feasible to create new enterprises in Hangzhou.
Hangzhou has been ranked by the United Nations Human Habitat Center as most suitable residential city as well as awarded the United Nations Best Human Habitat Prize. A livable natural and ecological environment along with comfortable, quiet and tasteful living conditions have attracted many to Hangzhou for business, investment and education. With its "Blue Sky, Pure Water, Greenery and Tranquility" policies, the municipal government has consistently pursued its efforts to make Hangzhou ever more comfortable by increasing the city's green space and improving living conditions. Achieving its goal of a "Half an hour traffic loop" in the city area and a "One-hour traffic loop" for the five surrounding counties will provide great convenience for commuters and others. Large supermarkets, specialized markets, and chain stores can be found everywhere, making for convenient shopping. The development of the restaurtant industry has made Hangzhou cuisine a new element among gourmets; Hangzhou delicacies are becoming known to the world.
This ultimately livable city of leisure opportunities welcomes the 2006 World Leisure Exposition and all its participants and visitors to enjoy her rich heritage of cultural an natural beauty. "In the sky there is heaven ... on earth there is Hangzhou." |
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