Welcome to Scinorhythm Classroom! This article, exclusively published by ScinoRhythm, is about Chinese City | Hangzhou: Where Nature, History, and Modernity Meet. It's relatively easy and suitable for beginners learning Chinese. If you enjoy ScinoRhythm's courses, feel free to subscribe to our private tutoring sessions and enjoy various discounts.#Chinese learning #Mandarin language learning #Affordable online Chinese courses #Mandarin native teacher #HSK #Chinese culture #Ancient Chinese Building #hangzhou
Nestled in the Yangtze River Delta, Hangzhou is one of China’s most beloved tourist cities, celebrated for its mild climate, lush landscapes, and warm hospitality. For international students learning Chinese, it’s also a living classroom where you can practice language skills while exploring centuries-old traditions and cutting-edge innovation.

A Timeless Icon: West Lake (Xī Hú - 西湖)

No visit to Hangzhou is complete without exploring West Lake (Xī Hú - 西湖), a shimmering freshwater lake surrounded by green hills and dotted with pagodas. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has been a source of inspiration for poets and artists since the Tang Dynasty. Don’t miss walking along Su Causeway (Sū Dī - 苏堤), a tree-lined path built by a famous Song Dynasty poet, or taking a boat to Three Pools Mirroring the Moon (Sān Tán Yìng Yuè - 三潭印月), a scenic islet known for its unique night views.

Ancient Wonders and Spiritual Peace

Venture into the city’s past at Lingyin Temple (Líng Yǐn Sì - 灵隐寺), one of China’s oldest and most revered Buddhist temples. Tucked between mountains, the temple complex features towering stone carvings and quiet courtyards perfect for meditation. For a taste of medieval life, visit Songcheng (Sòng Chéng - 宋城), an open-air museum where actors in traditional costumes reenact scenes from the Song Dynasty.

Flavors of Hangzhou

Hangzhou’s cuisine is as refined as its landscapes. Start your morning withxiaolongbao (Xiǎo Lóng Bāo - 小笼包), steamed pork buns with juicy soup inside—be careful not to burn your tongue! For lunch, tryLongjing Shrimp (Lóng Jǐng Xiā Rén - 龙井虾仁), tender shrimp stir-fried with fragrant Longjing tea leaves, orWest Lake Vinegar Fish (Xī Hú Cù Yú - 西湖醋鱼), a sweet-and-sour fish dish with a history dating back hundreds of years. Wash it all down with a cup ofLongjing Tea (Lóng Jǐng Chá - 龙井茶), China’s most famous green tea, served in a traditionalteahouse (Chá Guǎn - 茶馆).

Modern Hangzhou: Energy and Innovation

Beyond its ancient charm, Hangzhou is a hub of modern innovation. It’s the home of Alibaba, one of the world’s largest e-commerce companies, and boasts bustling tech parks and trendy art districts. Rent ashared bike (Gòng Xiǎng Chē - 共享单车)to cycle along theGrand Canal (Dà Yùn Hé - 京杭大运河), a 2,500-year-old waterway that still carries cargo today, or explore the city’s vibrant night markets where you can bargain for souvenirs likesilk (Sī Chóu - 丝绸)scarves and handcrafted jewelry.

Whether you’re strolling through mist-covered gardens, savoring local delicacies, or browsing high-tech malls, Hangzhou offers something for every traveler. Come experience this dynamic city and discover why it’s been called “Heaven on Earth” for millennia.

Vocabulary List

West Lake — Xī Hú — 西湖

Definition: A famous freshwater lake in Hangzhou, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its natural beauty and cultural importance.

Example: We rented a paddleboat and spent the afternoon exploring West Lake.

Su Causeway — Sū Dī — 苏堤

Definition: A historic tree-lined path across West Lake, built by the Song Dynasty poet Su Shi.

Example: Walking along Su Causeway in spring, you can see peach blossoms blooming on both sides.

Lingyin Temple — Líng Yǐn Sì — 灵隐寺

Definition: An ancient Buddhist temple located in the mountains near Hangzhou, famous for its stone carvings and tranquil environment.

Example: Many tourists visit Lingyin Temple to pray and admire the ancient architecture.

Songcheng — Sòng Chéng — 宋城

Definition: An open-air theme park in Hangzhou that recreates the life and culture of the Song Dynasty.

Example: At Songcheng, we watched an exciting performance about ancient Chinese warriors.

Xiaolongbao — Xiǎo Lóng Bāo — 小笼包

Definition: A type of Chinese steamed bun filled with pork and soup, a popular breakfast dish in eastern China.

Example: My favorite thing to eat in Hangzhou is xiaolongbao—they’re so juicy!

Longjing Shrimp — Lóng Jǐng Xiā Rén — 龙井虾仁

Definition: A classic Hangzhou dish where fresh shrimp are stir-fried with Longjing tea leaves, creating a delicate, aromatic flavor.

Example: When I visited Hangzhou, I tried Longjing Shrimp for the first time and loved its fresh taste.

West Lake Vinegar Fish — Xī Hú Cù Yú — 西湖醋鱼

Definition: A traditional Hangzhou dish featuring fish cooked with a sweet and sour vinegar sauce, originating from West Lake.

Example: West Lake Vinegar Fish is a bit sour, but it’s a must-try dish in Hangzhou.

Longjing Tea — Lóng Jǐng Chá — 龙井茶

Definition: A premium Chinese green tea produced in Hangzhou, known for its smooth taste and fresh aroma.

Example: I bought a box of Longjing Tea as a gift for my parents—they love drinking it in the morning.

Teahouse — Chá Guǎn — 茶馆

Definition: A traditional establishment where people gather to drink tea, socialize, or relax.

Example: We sat in a quiet teahouse by the lake and talked for hours.

Shared Bike — Gòng Xiǎng Chē — 共享单车

Definition: A bicycle available for short-term rental via a mobile app, popular in many Chinese cities for convenient travel.

Example: I used a shared bike to get from my hotel to the city center quickly.

Silk — Sī Chóu — 丝绸

Definition: A luxurious fabric made from silkworm threads, historically produced in Hangzhou and highly valued worldwide.

Example: I bought a beautiful silk scarf from a market in Hangzhou to wear to parties.