|
 Total
area: 16,596 square kilometers (of which the city proper covers 429 square
kilometers )
Total population: 6.08 million (with an urban population of 1.19 million)
Climate: Lying in the north fringe of the subtropical
zone, Hangzhou is about 200 kilometers from the East China Sea. It has
four distinct seasons. The average monthly temperature ranges from 3.8
degrees C in January to 28.6 degrees C in July, with an annual average
of 16.2 degrees C . The West Lake area is never without flowers. The rainy
season lasts from March through June. The best weather tends to occur
in the spring and autumn.
| Average temperatures
and rainfall: |
| Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
| Temp. (F) |
| 38 |
40 |
49 |
59 |
69 |
75 |
84 |
83 |
75 |
64 |
54 |
43 |
| Rain(inches) |
| 10 |
10 |
13 |
13 |
12 |
14 |
11 |
11 |
12 |
10 |
8 |
7 |
Hanghzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province,
boasts a long history. State Wu, State Yue, and Southern Song Dynasty
once built their capitals here, making it one of the six ancient capital
cities in China. It is situated at the lower reaches of the Qiantang River
and is the southern terminus of the Grand Canal as well. It is 180 kilometers
from Shanghai. Originally a Neolithic site to the northwest, over the
centuries Hangzhou became a small fishing village and eventually the capital
of the province. When the Grand Canal was built between Hangzhou and Beijing,
the city grew rapidly in importance and prosperity. From the ninth century
on, over a period of 237 years, 14 emperors chose Hangzhou as the capital
city.
 The
traditional local industry has been silk production, and Hangzhou's silk
products have found their way to many parts of the world ever since the
Tang Dynasty. So did the elegantly fragrant high quality Long Jing tea.
Traditional Chinese medicaments and chrysanthemum flower tea are among
the noteworthy local products. Also crafted locally and known for the
quality of material and high level of skill in their manufacture are Zhang
Xiaoquan scissors, Wang Singji Fans, West Lake silk umbrellas, Du Jinshen
brocade, Shao Zhiyan writing brushes, and Xiaoshan decorative lace and
dancing shoes
Hangzhou is one of China's major tourist attractions,
drawing both local and overseas visitors. On weekends, the city is deluged
by Chinese day-trippers from Shanghai, Suzhou, and Wuxi. The magnet is
the exquisite West Lake.
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