苏州 - 杭州 (2)

We joined a one-day tour in Hangzhou and visited all of the scenic spots - 西湖，三潭印月，岳飞墓，灵隐寺，宋城，虎跑泉，龙井问茶。。 The tour begins from 7am all the way to 6pm nonstop! Imagine how tiring it was! But yeah that's how it is when you join one-day tour..

First itinerary was a visit to 西湖。 Only one word to describe: B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L! I was totally speechless being amazed by its beauty..















Beautiful scenery at 西湖

We then headed to 三潭印月 by boat.. It's a small island, and again, filled with beautiful scenery! There was a stone of 三潭印月 said to be written by the emperor. It was believed that touching the character 印 may bring fortune - male is supposed to touch it with his left hand; while female with her right hand..




















*gasps! speechless..




















All the superstitious stuff -_-' But oh well :p















At 三潭印月

Next visit was the famous 岳飞墓, a memorial place for 岳飞将军。















岳飞 Tomb




















岳飞 Statue















The traitors that caused 岳飞 death - in the past, people spitted on them, thus there's a saying in the wall 'DO NOT SPIT'!

Afternoon was spent in 灵隐寺。 If you're not up into praying and burning incents, you can skip this place.. But well the place was pretty cool for picture taking.. The question is whether it worths the trouble..




















at 灵隐寺

Hangzhou is famous for its 龙井茶 aka Long Jing Green Tea, thus trip 龙井问茶 is compulsory in any tour itenerary.. I bought myself two box of 西湖龙井茶 :) The culture in Hangzhou is not to DRINK tea, but to EAT tea - 吃茶. After drinking the tea, they either eat the tea leaves, or collect it for pillow as the effect is good for your rest.. I tried eating the tea leaves and it was surprisingly good :)














Buying 西湖龙井茶 - looked so happy then as yet to found out was being fraud -_-'

Spent a relaxing evening in 宋城 aka Soong Town. The place is built to resemble the ancient city of China where even the people there were still wearing the traditional costumes. It's specially created to bring you back to the dynasty era.. Interesting place..















Notice the costume they're wearing..




















Posing with the guard :p

The last item on the itinerary was 虎跑泉 aka Tiger Spring Hill, the third famous spring China..tl However few days later, it was reported that the spring ran out of water! Apparently, two spring water companies get their drinking water from the back of the hill, which directly link to the Tiger Spring Hill -_-'




















The famous 虎跑泉




















Look at how the coin floats!














Our lovely patient tour guide