june-2010

TRAVEL HANGZHOU
Hangzhou fact fi le
HOW TO GET THERE
KLM fl ies direct to
Hangzhou’s Xiaoshan
International Airport
three times a week from
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.
Hangzhou’s airport is about
30 kilometres outside the city
centre. Regular shuttle buses
downtown take about an
hour and cost around RMB 20
(€2.25). Taxi fares downtown
should be around RMB 100-120
(€11-13.50).
WEATHER
Located south of Shanghai in
south-east China’s Zhejiang
Province, Hangzhou has a
warm, subtropical climate. The
best times for visiting are April
to early June, and September
to October. In summer, which
is the rainy season, sporadic
showers can be heavy, so
remember to pack rainwear.
CYCLING
Hangzhou is the fi rst Chinese
city to employ a low-cost
bike-sharing scheme, with
2,000 service outlets dotted
38 Holland Herald
across the city offering a total
of 50,000 bikes for rent. The
terrain is generally fl at and
there are dedicated bike lanes
on both sides of the road.
To use a bike simply buy a
card at any service outlet,
making a refundable deposit
of RMB 300 (€33). Scan the
card on the bike stand to
unlock any bike, anywhere.
When you’re done, drop the
bicycle off and pay per hour
of use – the fi rst hour is free,
and the fee is never more
than RMB 3 (€0.40) per hour.
Asia
GUIDED TOURS
Many companies in Hangzhou
offer guided bicycle tours,
with various itineraries and
English-speaking guides.
Try Absolute China Tours;
absolutechinatours.com
or Hangzhou Letour
International Travel
Company;
gotohangzhou.com
WHERE TO STAY
China
Hangzhou
Hyatt Regency Hangzhou
Within walking distance of the
business district and with a
prime lake view. hangzhou.
regency.hyatt.com
Hangzhou
Bai Causeway
Midlake Pavilion
West Lake
Xiaoying
Island
Su Causeway
Shangri-La Hangzhou
Scenically set on West
Lake’s beautiful north shore,
overlooking Solitary Hill Island
and Xiling Bridge.
shangri-la.com
Oakwood Residence
Hangzhou
Serviced apartments which
are centrally located near the
city’s key commercial
and tourist districts.
oakwood.com
WEBSITES
Qiantang Jiang river
morehangzhou.com
english.inhangzhou.com
Green tea being harvested near Hangzhou’s West Lake
Photos: Daniel Allen; Mark Niedermann/witmankleipool.nl