Country Information - Teaching in China
Last Updated on Tuesday, 14 April 2009 09:47
Living in Hangzhou
The City
Hangzhou, the capital of the Zhejiang province and one of the important tourism cities in China is located towards the southeast of the country, 180Km south of Shanghai. Renowned for its beautiful scenery as well as its cultural and historical heritages it is the economic centre of the province. A number of large tourism projects are currently underway or completed including a high-tech theme park and an international standard golf course, making Hangzhou one of the places to visit for both domestic and foreign tourists.
Not only is it a prosperous tourist area but it is rapidly developing its science and education links. At present there are 20 universities and colleges, 57 technical secondary schools and 3,200 middle and primary schools with more in the pipe line. Hangzhou is home to some large scale industries serving the textile, silk, electronics, chemical, medicine and food processing businesses. The rural area that surrounds the city is known as the “Land of fish and rice, Town of silk and tea, field of fruits and flowers.”
Hangzhou’s climate is hot and humid during the summer and cold and windy during the winter months – the effect of the monsoon. The hottest time is between June and August where the average temperature is around 30 degrees. The months from November to March are cold and windy with average temperatures falling as low as -8. July and August as well as being the warmest are also the wettest months with average rainfall being 22cm.
The Standard of Living you can expect
If you are looking for a city in China where it is easy to achieve a sense of happiness then according to a survey carried out by a Shanghai based magazine, Hangzhou is the place to go. The main categories for selecting the happiest city were based on employment, income, housing, health care, the environment and education. Do you really need any further information?
The standard of living in Hangzhou is said to be among the highest in China. Generally speaking it is possible to enjoy a superior quality of life in comparison to many other cities around the world. Prices are similar to those quoted for Beijing.
A useful site to provide you with guidance on real estate can be found Here this includes costs of buying and renting within the city.
Shopping in Hangzhou is an eclectic experience; you will find everything from traditional local crafts to high range brand names. The Silk market sells all things silk – scarves, ties, fabric – both fashionable items and traditional patterns are available. Be prepared to haggle here to obtain the best price, be warned though foreigners who don’t speak the language can usually expect to pay higher prices. Men’s ties can be purchased for around 25 – 40 Yuan and ladies silk tops between 40 and 100 Yuan.
If you are more interested in department stores then the Hangzhou Mansion Department Store is for you. Covering an area of 26,000 square meters it is a shoppers paradise, not only can you purchase all number of types of goods but you can dine in one of the four restaurants, exercise in the fitness centre, enjoy a relaxing time in the beauty salon followed by a cup of tea in the tea room. For all of those everyday shopping items a visit to one of the many supermarkets is as must. In Hangzhou you will find Carrefour, HaoYouDuo, WuMei and LeGou, the prices here are fixed and reasonable so no haggling is required.
Dining out in Hangzhou is characterized by its light flavours, lovely presentation and delicate cooking methods. The main dishes associated with this city are: West Lake Fish in Sweet and Sour Sauce, Shelled Shrimp with Dragon Well Tea, West Lake Water Shield Soup and Dongo Pork. If this is not to your taste then a visit to one of the five Pizza Huts or 30 KFCs or even McDonalds might suit you more. The average cost of a meal in the city is between $2 and $5.
Entertainment in Hangzhou is never - ending, everything you could want must surely be here! There are lots of tea and coffee bars, pubs, nightclubs, cinemas, theatres and discos and with your salary being what it is you will not be restricted in your choice.
Places of Interest
There is so much to see and do in Hangzhou so these are just a few of the places of interest you will find here. The West Lake Area covers an area of 6 square kilometers. It is shaded on three sides by hills; the lake itself is divided into five parts by three causeways. The lake has inspired photographers and artists alike over the years. The main scenic spot is probably the three stone pagodas which were built over 800 years ago.
To the Northwest of the West Lake lies the Ling Yin Temple it is one of the ten most famous Buddhist temples of China. At one time this temple was home to around three thousand monks. With its halls and decorated ceilings it is to be marveled at. The Six Harmonies Pagoda South of the West Lake is a masterpiece of ancient Chinese architecture.
Built in 970 A.D. this octagonal, seven-storey pagoda has thirteen upturned eaves which become narrower towards the top. A spiraling staircase takes you through each level allowing you to admire the carved and painted ceilings and afford a magnificent vista over the river.
The city is home to a number of national museums which give an insight into Chinese culture and local products are represented in the National Silk Museum and the Tea Museum. The National Silk Museum is a state of the art museum which shows the development of silk throughout its 5,000 year history and also covers the history of the Silk Road by which silk was spread overseas. There are machines, samples and examples of garments made by recognized weavers. The China Tea Museum set among the tea plantations has six show halls which depict the history, customs and artifacts related to tea.
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