Hangzhou is the center of politics, economy, culture, science and education of Zhejiang. It is located in the most developed area of China and the traffic here is really convenient.

As one of the seven ancient capitals, Hangzhou is a historical and cultural city famous for tourism. In the 13th century, Italian traveler Marco Polo praised the city as the richest and most splendid city in the world”. Hangzhou is famous for the beautiful West Lake. It is said that there is Paradise above, Suzhou and Hangzhou are below, that is the best praise given to this city. The West Lake was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2011.

The e-commerce industry is flourishing in Hangzhou and Alibaba, a world-renowned e-commerce company, is located here.

1. Banking Services

1.1 ATM / Bank Card

ATMs are readily accessible in China. Some banks cooperate with foreign banks but usually only saving account of check can be opened. So please leave some checks to your parents in case they need to remit to you. At the same time, please keep some cash with you in case of unforeseeable needs.

1.2 Credit Card

There are five international credit cards: Master card, Visa card, Diners card, American express card and JCB. And all above cards can be used in most hotels, restaurants, large department stores and some small companies in China. However, more shops only accept cash.

1.3 Local Bank Accounts

You may open a foreign currency/RMB account with local banks. You may choose Bank of Communications, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China and Bank of China (traveler’s cheque is available). You may withdraw money with your passport or bank card applied in Hangzhou. You may withdraw money from your bank card when travelling. And be sure to carry enough cash in case of emergency. We accept tuition or other fees remitted from ICBC.

1.4 Foreign Currency Exchange

Offering official interest rates and charging reasonable handling fees, banks are the best place to exchange foreign currencies. Some big hotels and international airports also offer such services. You must carry your passport to exchange foreign currencies. Since if you exchange with bank cards from ATMs, you may not be able to find real-time and accurate exchange rates, or you don't know how much the service fees are (some charge high and some low). So check your receipt carefully to avoid being charged more. It is recommended to check the exchange rate carefully before leaving your country.

Keep your receipts when converting to renminbi. Since the government stipulates that if you convert foreign currencies into renminbi last time, you are allowed to convert only 50% of the converted renminbi into foreign currencies this time, so the last receipt shall be provided. You can exchange small amount of renminbi to dollars at most branches of banks.

 * Never change foreign currencies through informal channels in case lose your money. This is an illegal act and you will be punished.

1.5 Protect Your Money

Protect your money. Do not put too much cash in your dormitory. You can purchase traveler's checks. Take care of your belongings in public places.

2. Medical Services

2.1 School Medical Service Information

Address of the school hospital (Xiasha Campus): No.1 complex building of Qianjiang Wan Student Residence

2.2 Other Big Hospitals in Hangzhou

● The Oriental Hospital

The hospital is located at Xiasha University Town. And is a branch of Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of TCM.

Tel: +86-0571-86911001, 86919300

Address: No. 9 the 9th Avenue

● Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital

The hospital is a branch of Zhejiang University School of Medicine and some nurses, doctors and other staff can speak English.

Tel: +86-571-86090073 

VIP reception and reservation number: 8606016 

Address: No. 3 Qingchun East Road

● Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital Xiasha Campus:

Address: No. 368 Xiasha Road

Website: www.srrsh.com

● The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University

This is the international clinic of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University. It is not only the largest hospital in Zhejiang, but also has one of the best surgical departments in China.

Tel: +86-571-87236166

Address: No. 79 Qingchun Road

Website: www.zy91.com

● The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine 

The internal medicine department in this hospital is one of the best in China.

Tel: +86-571-87783777

Address: No. 88 Jiefang Road

website: www.z2hospital.com

3.Holidays

Students will have vacations on the following holidays in one school year: 

New Year’s Day: January 1

Labor Day: May 1

National Day: October 1

Qingming Festival: April 5

Dragon Boat Festival: the fifth day of the fifth lunar month

Mid-autumn Festival: the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month

4. Transportation

It is convenient to take subways, public bicycles and buses in Hangzhou. Please read the following introduction:

4.1 Buy a Public Transport Card

You can buy a public transport card at any ticket window of subway station. It will cost you only RMB 20. You can take buses, rent public bicycles, take subways, park cars, take taxis, and even shop at some convenience stores with this card. You can top up it at ticket windows of subway stations, large bus stops or convenience stores. Most buses in Hangzhou are self-service buses so you won't get changes. So please take changes with you or use the public transport card when you take buses.

Note: you have to pay RMB 200 deposit before using public bicycles.

4.2 Taxis 

Taxis in Hangzhou will offer you the best service in China. The fee is calculated according to the distance travelled. The starting price is RMB 11 for the first 3 kilometers. After 3 kilometers, you will be charged another RMB 2.5 for each kilometer.

4.3 Use DiDi or Uber 

Uber is a popular app worldwide, but DiDi is more popular in China. You can take a private car on DiDi.

4.4 Baidu Maps

Baidu Maps is the Google Maps in China and can be used without VPN.

4.5 Bicycles 

Riding bicycles is good for your health. Bicycles are common to see in Hangzhou and you will see many cyclists on the road.

5. Tourist Attractions

● Dawn on the Su Causeway in Spring (Sudi Chunxiao) 

Sudi Chunxiao tops the list of Ten Scenes of West Lake. Su Causeway (Sudi) served as a building used to dredge the lake in ancient times. Verdant willows and pinky peach trees are planted along the Su causeway. The causeway is about 500 meters west to the west bank of the lake and covers an area of about 9.66 hectares. You may admire the misty willow and bridge while strolling in the picturesque scenery of lake and mountain along the causeway. It has been the best place to view the whole picture of the lake since ancient times.

● Curved Yard and Lotus Pool in Summer (Quyuan Fenghe) 

Quyuan Fenghe is one of the Ten Scenes of West Lake. It is 22 meters west to the northern end of Su Causeway and covers an area of about 0.06 hectares. It is the best place to view lotuses in summer.

● Moon over the Peaceful Lake in Autumn (Pinghu Qiuyue) 

Pinghu Qiuyue is one of the Ten Scenes of West Lake. Located in the southeast corner of Gu Shan (Solitary Hill), and the south of western Bai Causeway, it is one of the best places to enjoy the panoramic view of the lake. It covers an area of about 0.16 hectares. It is the best place to view the clear lake and the bright moon in autumn night.

● Remnant Snow on the Bridge in Winter (Duanqiao Canxue)

Duanqiao Canxue is one of the Ten Scenes of West Lake. Located at the east end of the Bai Causeway in the north of the lake, the Broken Bridge, covers an area of about 2.61 hectares. The Bai Causeway is located at the middle of the lake and divided it into two parts, the south part and the north part. Therefore, standing on the causeway, you will view the whole picture of southern and northern lake. The snow-coated bridge in winter is the most beautiful.

● Fish Viewing at the Flower Pond (Huagang Guanyu)

Huagang Guanyu is one of the Ten Scenes of West Lake. It is 197 meters northwest to Yingbo Bridge at Su Causeway, between Small South lake and Xili Lake, and covers an area of about 0.25 hectares. You will see hills in private garden, flowers in clear pool and some special animals and plants composing a lively picture of nature.

● Orioles Singing in the Willows (Liulang Wenying)

Liulang Wenying is one of the Ten Scenes of West Lake. It is about 50 meters north of the gate pool of Qianwang Temple on the east bank of west lake and covers an area of about 0.54 hectares. You will view the willow forest along the lake.

● Three Ponds Mirroring the Moon (Santan Yinyue)

Santan Yinyue is one of the Ten Scenes of West Lake. It is a famous water garden with a range of about 6.67 hectares at the southwestern Xiaoyingzhou Island and the southern part of the island. Viewing the moon, pagoda and the lake in the moonlight, you may deep in meditation.

● Two Peaks Piercing the Clouds (Shuangfeng Chayun)

Shuangfeng Chayun is one of the Ten Scenes of West Lake. It consists of the two peaks in the west of the West Lake and the spots along Hongchun Bridge in the northwest corner of the West Lake. You will enjoy the mist-shrouded mountains around the lake here.

● Leifeng Pagoda in the Sunset (Leifeng Xizhao)

Leifeng Xizhao is one of the Ten Scenes of West Lake. It is located at the Xizhao Hill on the south bank of the Lake, covering about 12.19 hectares. You may come here to view the mountain and old pagoda when sunset.

● Evening Bell Ringing at the Nanping Hill (Nanping Wanzhong) 

Nanping Wanzhong is one of the Ten Scenes of West Lake. It is located at the Nanping Hill on the south bank of the Lake and covers an area of 2.91 hectares. It shows the beautiful scenery when the bell in the Jingci Temple at the northern foot of Nanping Mountain reverberating through the Lake.

6. Hangzhou Food

6.1 Chinese Food

● Wonton

Wonton, also known as yuntun, is very common in southern China. Wontons are made by spreading a square dough wrapper, placing a small amount of meat and vegetables in the center, and compressing the wrapper's edges together with the fingers. Wontons are usually boiled in broth.

● Xiaolongbao

Xiaolongbao was originated in Wuxi, a city in Jiangsu Province. This type of Chinese steamed bun is popular all over the country, especially in Hangzhou and Tianjin.

● Noodles With Beef

The main ingredients are beef and noodles made from beans. It is served in broth, usually with other ingredients, such as shrimps, mushrooms, peppers, etc.

● Pan Fried Dumplings

In short, it is fried dumplings, but its skin is more crisp than common dumplings.

● Shengjian

It is a type of small, pan-fried baozi and is a popular breakfast.

● Pian Er Chuan Noodles

This is a specialty in Hangzhou cooked with local vegetables, bamboo shoots and meat.

● Cat's Ear 

Though named as that, it's not a dish made of cat's ear. It’s a kind of wheaten food shaped into cat's ear and cooked with pork, peppers, prawns and vegetables.

6.2 Hangzhou Specialties

● Longjing Prawns

Longjing prawns is a specialty of Hangzhou. The prawns are first soaked in Longjing tea, then coated with egg white and fried at last. The flavor of this healthy dish is light and fragrant.

● Jiaohua Ji

It means beggar's chicken. This dish is perfect for foreigners. You will find a whole roasted chicken after breaking the crispy clay wrapped it. 

● Dongpo Pork

Dongpo Pork is another specialty in Hangzhou. Named after Su Dongpo, it is made by pan-frying and then red cooking pork belly.