Hang Zhou West Lake
The saying “Above there is Heaven below there is Hang Zhou” is certainly true. Despite a wet day on my arrival, I went down to the lake for a wander in a very quiet park. With it being, a weekday and wet there were very few people around so it truly was bliss. The wonderful cherry trees in their floral spring garments, the willows along the shore of the lake dressed in a wisp of green. The buildings with their Chinese signature was like being in another world. This was the China I had wanted to see! A city that has been around since the 600’s which was the Tang dynasty period. The beautiful lake serene with the islands in the middle added to the ambience, along with the temple and teahouses a place that actually lives up to its reputation. It was a pity about the hidden distant hills shrouded in mist or smog, they would have added greatly to my photos!
A beautiful early morning walk just on sunrise beside a very calm lake was most uplifting and gratifying. The beauty of the place overwhelming and truly stunning in a Chinese way. The flowering cherry trees simply amazing and a sight worth seeing on their own..
It was fascinating to see the hive of activity, every body busy doing exercise from Taichi to a brisk walk around the lake edge. The cleaners both on the water and around the park, working hard at making everything pristine for the day! While quietly seated at the lakeside taking it all in, one of the cleaners started wiping down the seat, and indicated that I needed to get up while he cleaned it with a wet cloth, so much for quiet contemplation! The sparse floating rubbish in the lake was scooped up by men working from a dinghy.
I am sure none of the cleaner’s wages was much above existence level. Someone threw a plastic bottle on the grass, an old cleaner saw him, she took him to task for littering. I had to agree it was blatant littering in a beautiful place, but the disdain that he treated her with was sad, while I did not understand a word they said it was obvious what passed between them was not complimentary. I saw her later with a collection of plastic bottles, which I assumed she would sell. There are many smokers here and yet it would appear there are few restrictions, I guess the Chinese government would run into a problem if they tried banning the smoking habit, as we have at home.
The huge numbers of people doing Taichi and exercising in general was fascinating to see. Passed an old man doing the same thing unfortunately he farted long and loud as I passed him.
They do not seem to allow bikes in the park, as there were some tourists doing just that and the poor little security guard complete with whistle took off at speed, how dare they! Conversely, they put up with the irritating buses that go around and around with scant regard for the pedestrians. People are not permitted to wander on the grass and there are numerous notices to say so. At least I assume that is what the signs said! I can understand why, after seeing the huge numbers of people taking the air the grass would become bare in no time at all.
The hostel was a good one, being both clean and its location superb just a couple of minutes from the lake itself. Toilets included both western and Asian toilets. Had breakfast at the restaurant next door with the excuse that I may need the energy later but at $5 it was a cheap meal. Food is very cheap here and keeping me well within budget on that score. Taxis are also reasonable as long as they use the meters in the cab. The hostel staff were helpful in having someone bring my bags down, thankfully. I even had a man help me across a road, walking on pedestrian crossings does not encourage traffic to stop for people and as in Shanghai you took your life in your hands ,when you did so.
Pleasant people watching time at the train station before catching the train to Xian. Really looking forward to my stay there and seeing the terracotta warriors, the hostel will also pick me up from the station so that will be awesome. The noise and people at all the stations is amazing as the trains, no matter what time of day they are always busy. There are the inevitable beggars trying to extract money, while you can only feel sorry for them they are extremely annoying.
