Page 13 - Flipbook

Traditional meets trendy
A lovely place to start your day is in Qinghe Fang, particularly Hefang Street, one of the oldest streets in Hangzhou, dating back to the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279). Hundreds of quality antique and local crafts stores selling traditional goods such as chopsticks, fans and silk umbrellas line these bustling streets, as well as ancient pharmacies and teahouses. The trendy Nanshan Road is another excellent place when shopping for souvenirs, including teas and chopsticks, or visit Imperial Street for its historical and cultural merits.
To market
From Qinghefang Street, it’s a reasonable stroll through the heart of Hangzhou to Silk City (253 Xinhua Road), a market with over 600 silk and embroidery vendors, making it the largest in the country. Si Ji Qing market (31-59 Hanghai Road) is also a great place to pick up traditional clothing and fabrics. Other markets worth a visit include the Gaoxin Computer Market
(345 Wensan Road) and, if only for a look, the cacophony that is the Bird and Flower Market (by Wushan Square).
Big brands and even bigger malls
When you’re ready to move back into the 21st century, head for Yan’an Road where large department stores sell everything from the latest fashion to technology to curios. You should also stop in at the Hangzhou Shifeng Tea Company Ltd (228 Yan’an Road) to buy top-quality white chrysanthemum and Longjing teas. For high-end international brands, you can’t beat the stores along Hubin Road or the Hangzhou Mansion Shopping Mall (1 Wulin Square). Wulin Square
is a shopping destination in itself and a favourite place for fashionable Hangzhou locals to meet up.
Night shop
To end your day, check out one of Hangzhou’s many night markets. Wushan Night Market (between Renhe and Huixing Roads) is a hangout for hip youth and the offerings are suitably trendy and quirky. Haggling here is perfectly acceptable, even expected.
LOOK BAcK WITH AN EYE TO THE FUTURE:
(clockwise from above) No signs of quaint historic buildings here, Hangzhou Convention Centre shows Hangzhou’s modern face. Two roads that illustrate perfectly Hangzhou’s split personality, one hundreds of years old through an ancient bamboo forest and the other racing into the future and the heart of Hangzhou city.
STAY RCI AFFILIATED RESORT IN HANGZHOU:
FVc @ Jinma International Hotel Hangzhou
Located in a region known for its world class silk, the FvC @ Jinma International Hotel is around 14 kms from the ancient and scenic Hangzhou and about a 20 minute drive from Xiaoshan Airport. The area has been called a “Paradise on Earth” with its picturesque West Lake. The full service hotel is designed for your enjoyment, comfort and convenience. During your stay you can take a workout at the fitness centre, relax at the sparkling indoor pool or just relax in the sauna or steam room. The 28th floor restaurant offers a plentiful selection of dining choices including authentic Fujian and Hangzhou style dishes. other local choices include the Chaoshan Seafood restaurant, as well as Japanese and Italian restaurants. For those seeking unbeatable fashion bargains why not take a taxi ride to the Si Ji Qing Clothing Market, just 13 kms away from the hotel.
7 nights from AU$169/NZ$189 Hotel Units
For additional resort listings, visit RcI.com or call 1300 368 800 AU or 0800 368 800 NZ
ENDLESSvACATIIoN 171