Hangzhou

Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province, is one of China’s most celebrated historical and cultural cities, with a history spanning more than 2,200 years. Revered since ancient times as “Heaven on Earth”, Hangzhou is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty, profound cultural heritage, and flourishing modern economy. The city once served as the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty and was praised by the Italian traveler Marco Polo as “the finest and most splendid city in the world.”

Situated in the Yangtze River Delta on China’s southeastern coast, Hangzhou lies at the southern end of the ancient Grand Canal and beside the Qiantang River, famous for its spectacular tidal bore phenomenon. The city administers ten districts and two counties, covering an area of approximately 16,850 square kilometers, with a permanent population exceeding 12 million. As the political, economic, cultural, and technological center of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou harmoniously combines classical Jiangnan charm with contemporary urban vitality.

Hangzhou is globally recognized as one of China’s leading digital economy and innovation hubs. The city is home to numerous high-tech enterprises and pioneering digital industries, especially in e-commerce, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and fintech. The establishment of the Hangzhou National High-tech Industrial Development Zone and the rapid growth of internet industries have transformed Hangzhou into an internationally influential center for digital innovation and entrepreneurship.

The city is also distinguished by its rich educational and academic resources. It hosts many prestigious institutions, including Zhejiang University, one of China’s top “Double First-Class” universities. Hangzhou’s cultural heritage is equally remarkable, deeply rooted in classical Chinese poetry, tea culture, silk craftsmanship, and Buddhist traditions. The city is famed for West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its picturesque scenery of bridges, pagodas, gardens, and willow-lined shores. Other iconic landmarks include the Lingyin Temple, Leifeng Pagoda, and the historic Grand Canal waterfront.

As the birthplace of Longjing tea culture and a vital center along the ancient Maritime Silk Road, Hangzhou has long been a crossroads of commerce, scholarship, and cultural exchange. Today, it plays a strategic role in the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta and China’s digital economy initiatives. Blending millennium-old cultural elegance with cutting-edge technological advancement, Hangzhou stands as a dynamic international metropolis and a shining symbol of modern China’s innovation and heritage.