Orchid Pavilion
» Hangzhou, Zhe Jiang

兰亭 '此地有崇山峻岭,茂林修竹,又有清流急湍,映带左右'

Lan Ting

The Goose Pond Stele Pavilion

When you step into Lanting, the firs thing comes into your eyes will be the Goose Pond. The water in it is clean and clear, and a few white geese are playing happily on the water. On the left side of the pond, there is a three-sided stone stele pavilion. In the middle of the pavilion stands a stone stele on which are carved the two characters "Goose Pond". It is said that Wang Xizhi and his son Wang Xianzhi wrote the two characters respectively. One day, just as Wang Xizhi had written the character "Goose" and was about to write the next character "Pond" when the imperial edict arrived, and he had to stop to receive the edict. And his conceited son picked up the writing brush and wrote the character "Pond" as the father left. So the two characters are clearly different; one is fat, the other is thin. It became a mush-told story through the ages.

Zigzagging Water Flowing With Cups of Wine

In front of the Liushang Pavilion, there is a patch of flatland surrounded by tall bamboo. This is the very place where Wang Xizhi and other poets drank wine and wrote poems. This scenic spot was first formed in 1698. During the past 300 years, it was destroyed several times. The present zigzag stream and the structures were rebuilt in 1980, measuring 78 m long by 0.8 m wide. Every year, several groups of Chinese and foreign calligraphers and calligraphy amateurs come here to experience what Wang Xizhi and other poets did at that time.

The Liushang Pavilion

Opposite the Qushui Liushang is the Liushang Pavilion. It was built during the sovereign of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty. It is building with antique flavors. A horizontal wooden tablet is suspended in the front with inscription of "Liushang Pavilion".

The Orchid Pavilion Calligraphy Museum

The construction of the Orchid Pavilion Calligraphy Museum was started in 1988 and was completed on April 8th the next year. The museum is a two-storied building with floor space of 780 square meters. On the first floor, there are two exhibition halls and on the second floor are the calligraphic art exchange hall and the calligraphic works bedroom. At present, "the Brief History of Chinese Calligraphy" is on display in the exhibition halls. At every calligraphy festival, elaborate works by calligraphy masters and maestros, of both ancient and modern times, Chinese and foreign are exhibited here, not only attracting a good many calligraphy fans and tourists to stop their steps, but also carrying forward the calligraphic art and culture of our country.

Attractions around » Hangzhou, Zhe Jiang

Natural Scene

Natural Scene

Historical Site

Historical Site

Cultural Site

Cultural Site

Day Entertainment & Sports

Day Entertainment & Sports

Shopping & Leisure

Shopping & Leisure

  Weather

  1. Hangzhou's weather and something we need to know

  Food

  1. What's the specialty of Hangzhou cuisine?
  2. What are some famous restaurants in Hangzhou?

  Shopping

  1. What are the best souvenirs in Hangzhou?

  Customs

  1. What are some local festivals in Hangzhou?

  • Hangzhou's weather and something we need to know

    Hangzhou's weather is always warm and humid, with a clear division of four seasons.

    The peak season usually starts in March and lasts for a month, due to a flower-blooming season, with a temperature of 9 to 15 C.

    From late June to early July, it is the plum rain season. Rainfalls are very unpredictable. Typhoon takes places in the early August with pouring rains, so during this period of time, an umbrella is always needed when you prepare to go out.

    The winter in Hangzhou is just like other cities' in south China, with piercing cold. Warm clothes are strongly suggested.

    If you want to take a walk alongside the West Lake, please wear some warm clothes too, to avoid from getting a clod which will affect your journey.

    Each season in Hangzhou has its own splendid view and specialty, which are all worth visiting.


  • What's the specialty of Hangzhou cuisine?

    Hangzhou cuisine does have it's own characteristics: smells nice, tastes good and looks pleasant. Fresh tastes is the most well-known specialty of Hangzhou cuisine.

    The most famous dishes are Fish Maw with Chinese Broccoli, Dongpo Pork, West Lake Fish in Vinegar Gravy, etc.

    You can not underestimate Hangzhou's snacks. Thousands years of history provides a peculiarity of Hangzhou snacks. Congbaohui, Cat Ears (Do not panic. It's not really cat's ears. It's dough in a cat's ear's shape and is cooked in different ways), Noodles with Preserved Vegetable and Sliced Pork and Bamboo Shoots in Soup, Crisp Cakes, etc.


  • What are some famous restaurants in Hangzhou?

    Louwailou Restaurant

    Built in the 1840s by a Qing Dynasty Noble, Louwailou Restaurant is said to be the oldest restaurant in China. Many foreign heads have dined there when visiting this city.

    The Restaurant features authentic Hangzhou cuisine. Tasty food served including West Lake Carp in Sweet and Sour Sauce, Beggar's Chicken as well as Dragon Well Tea served with snacks.

    Address: No 30 Gushan Road
    Tel: (0571) 8796 9023
    Opening Hours: Open daily 11:30am - 2:30pm and 4:30pm - 8:30pm

    Tianwaitian Restaurant

    This is also a very old restaurant first opened in 1910. its nice location close to the Lingyin Temple, tasty seafood and warm service make the restaurant very popular eating place for tourist.

    Address: No. 2 Tianzhu Road, outside the Peak Flown from Afar Park entrance
    Tel: (0571) 8796 0599
    Opening hours: Open Daily 7am - 9pm


  • What are the best souvenirs to best in Hangzhou?

    Silk

    Hangzhou is well known for producing excellent silks, including satins.

    The best place for purchasing silk in Hangzhou is at Hangzhou Silk City, the biggest silk wholesale and retail market in China with more than 600 silk enterprises dealing in a wide variety of pure silk fabrics, garments, handicraft articles, scarves, and ties.

    It is located at No.253 Xinhua Road (at the intersection of Fengqi Road, Tiyuchang Road, and Xinhua Road). You can get to the site by bus No.11 and 28.

    Tea

    Hangzhou Longjing Tea (Dragon Well Tea) is considered China's best. It is not only famous for its unique green color, fragrant aroma, sweet taste, and flat appearance, but is also regarded as a health elixir.

    The tea falls into different grades; the best is the first pick of a year, normally in late March or early April.

    Besides its good quality, Longjing Tea also enjoys a famous long history. If you are interested in tea culture and history, Meijiawu Village in West Lake District is the ideal spot where you can have a cup of tea, watch a tea ceremony, and select tea under professional guidance.


  • What are some local festivals in Hangzhou?

    There are some remarkable festivals in Hangzhou, maybe you will experience one of them if you are lucky enough:

    • Dragon Well Tea Festival (April-May)
      The annual Dragon Well Tea Festival, hosted by Dragon Well Village, attracts people from everywhere to take part in activities such as picking tea, drinking tea, enjoying a tea ceremony, and walking in the countryside.

    • West Lake Lotus Festival (July-August)
      The main activities of this festival include viewing the beautiful lotus, picking lotus seed pods, shelling lotus seed, watching folk drama performances, and visiting the lotus exhibition. The host area is one of the scenic spots of West Lake-Qu Yuan Feng He.

    • West Lake Osmanthus Festival (September-October)
      Since osmanthus is the city flower of Hangzhou, the government has decreed that each year during September when osmanthus blooms, Hangzhou citizens host the West Lake Osmanthus Festival.

      The sites of the celebration are usually in Man Long Gui Yu Park, Man Jue Long Village, and Hangzhou Arboretum. Appreciating osmanthus and the food made of osmanthus, drinking tea, watching shows and painting exhibitions are the main activities during the festival.

    • China International Qiantang River Tidal Bore Festival (September-the 18th day of the eighth lunar month)
      During this tourist-friendly festival, one of the largest in China, visitors arrive to appreciate the great spectacle of the Qiantang River Bore. The bore is a unique natural phenomenon triggered by the pull of the moon.

      When the tides come in, a wave is produced so large that it surges several meters high. Every year this magnificent wonder draws thousands of tourists from all over the world.

    • West Lake International Fireworks Show (In the middle of October)
      This dazzling event in West Lake draws thousand of viewers to the fireworks site to witness the glittering and colorful skyline. Thousands of new fireworks products from different countries entertain enthusiastic visitors.


Orchid Pavilion is located in the southwest suburb of Shaoxing. In the Spring and Autumn Period (770- 476BC).Gou Jian, the ruler of the State Yue planted orchid here and in the Eastern Han (25-220). Acquirer pavilion was erected. Hence the Present name. In the spring of AD353 under the Eastern Jin emperor Yonghe's reign, Wang Xizhi, the calligraphy master, invited 40 friends to come here for a festival to cleanse away evil influences. They recited poems while drinking wine from cups floating on the winding stream. And his friends asked him to compose a narrative to record the event. Wang Wrote impromptu "prologue to the Orchid Pavilion collection", which has entered history with eternal glory. Wang has since been crowned as "the sage of Calligraphy" and the place as "the Calligraphy Mecca".



Tour Searching
Tour Packages We Provide
Package Searching 101
Customized Tour Design
Tour Booking
Fill Your Cart
Travel Agreement
Order Confirmation
Deposit & Payment
Methods of Payment
Deposit
Final Payment
Cancellation
Alteration
Customer Service
Contact Us
Our Guarantees
Lodge a Complaint
Travel Tips
Sitemap
Popular China Travel Destinations & Tours
phone U.S.A. +1 (310) 997-0051 / +1 (310) 878-2934
Canada +1 (604) 998-6945
China +86 (10) 8409-8570 / +86 (10) 8409-8571
email info@yeschinatour.commsn: help@yeschinatour.com