Fascinating
Hangzhou city, on China’s east coast close to Shanghai, welcomed
back at the beginning of the month the internationally acclaimed
‘Impression West Lake’ staged production and nightly spectacular.
The
one-hour show of local legends and myths is presented in five
seamless acts and was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2009 in the USA
for original score. It is open-air theatre at its best with lavish
sets, lighting displays and hundreds of costumed performers gliding
over the lake in synchronized choreography (the stage is a few
centimetres below water level). The ultimate ode to love, the five
‘impressions’ loosely tell a story of doomed mortal passion but
eternal heavenly devotion. Staged ten months of the year (March –
December), the show was created by Mr. Zhang Yimou, who directed the
opening and closing ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics, and is staged
once or twice every evening (weather permitting) at 7.45pm and
9.15pm, depending on the season, and is the highlight of any visit to
the city.
Other
established nocturnal cultural events which portray the history and
culture of Hangzhou include the ‘Night on West Lake’ and ‘Romance
of the Song Dynasty’ shows – both colourful indoor extravaganzas
which showcase the talents and artistry of local performers
incorporating song and dance, and feats of acrobatics and agility.
The latter display cost more than 100 million Yuan (approx. £1
million) to produce and is watched annually by over two millions
domestic and international tourists.
There
are numerous regularly scheduled cultural events and festivals in
Hangzhou of interest to international tourists such as:
•
The
Dragon Well Tea Festival from 8th April – 8th May - hosted by the
villagers of the Dragon Well tea plantation, known also as Longjin
green tea, one of China’s most popular and famous tea varieties.
Domestic and international tea connoisseurs come to Longjin to pick
tea, participate in time-honoured tea ceremonies and learn about the
health and medicinal benefits of green tea polyphenols.
•
International
Dragon Boat Festival - 15th June - staged in the picturesque Jiancun
village of the Xixi Wetland National Park (China’s first and only
wetlands park) where there is a permanent Dragon Boat Exhibition,
this is one of the most popular festivals in the leisure calendar
which regularly draw over 40,000 visitors annually. This year 45
boats will compete in the race, 18 sponsored by international
companies.
•
West
Lake Lotus Festival - traditionally in July and August, visitors to
Hangzhou West Lake go to the Qu Yuan Feng He scenic spot armed with a
phalanx of cameras to take hundreds of photos of the lake side
carpeted with thousands green lotus leaves and bright pink lotus
flowers.
•
Osmanthus
Festival - in September in West Lake’s Man Long Gui Yu Park and Jue
Long village is when locals take time to enjoy the official flower of
the city - the powerfully fragrant Osmanthus tea blooms which perfume
the air throughout the hot and humid summer months. On both sides of
the main roads, thousands of osmanthus trees are in full bloom and
colourful tents are erected for visitors to enjoy a variety of
cultural performances including the Dragon Well Tea Courtesy show.
•
West
Lake International Expo incorporating a Fireworks Show – is
traditionally held in October and is one of the main highlights of
the local calendar when the dazzling fireworks display is magnified
and amplified in the reflection of the lake.
•
Hangzhou
International Silk Festival - in October is hosted by the
municipal government of Hangzhou, the festival celebrates the unique
history of silk manufacture, dye, embroidery and artistry for which
the city has been famous for centuries (the Hangzhou Silk Museum is
China’s one and only dedicated museum to this renown national
export).
•
Hangzhou
International Food Festival - staged over a one week period in
October, the food festival is a celebration of the city’s unique
cuisine where dishes such as Dongpo Pork and West Lake shrimps cooked
with tea can fully feted by food lovers. There are recipe and
cookbook competitions and a variety of cooking demonstrations.
There
are numerous additional local celebrations, festivals and events held
throughout the year in Hangzhou enjoyed in the safe and tranquil
surroundings which led to the city being awarded accolades by several
national and international tourism organizations as China’s Top
City for Leisure and the Safest City in China. Please
visit www.gotohz.com for more information.
