上有天堂, 下有苏杭: Above is heaven, below are Suzhou and Hangzhou.

For May holiday (May 1st-May4th), we traveled to Hangzhou--the most beautiful city in China. Having become accustomed to what mainland Chinese describe as fresh air and picturesque scenery, I prepared myself for disappointment. However, Hangzhou turned out to be quite refreshing! Shame on me for becoming so jaded.

Hangzhou is a sub-provincial city located in the Yangtze River Delta and is the capital of Zhejiang province. Located 180 kilometers (112 miles) southwest of Shanghai, as of 2004 the entire Hangzhou Region ("shì", 杭州市) or Prefecture-level city had a registered population of 6.5 million people.

As one of the most renowned and prosperous cities of China for much of the last 1,000 years, Hangzhou is also well-known for its natural scenery, with the West Lake (Xī Hú, 西湖) as the most noteworthy location.

The bamboo forest on our way to West Lake (Tiffany, April and Stacey):

 

Wing, Derek and Justin.

 

Chinese national holiday = chinese crowds = millions, many with umbrellas on sunny days just waiting to poke your eye out. Ella ella ella eh eh eh unda my umbrella.

 
 

The famed West Lake:



 



Posing with the locals:



串儿 (chuanr) = delicious chinese kabobs.

 

Those suffering from food anxieties order more than they can handle but still hesitate to share. I'm not naming any names...

 

After a very long day of walking, Wing and Justin squuueeeeeezzzzeeee onto a motoche:



Tea Party! The following day we peddled our way to a local tea plantation. Tea is an important part of Hangzhou's economy and culture. The city is best known for originating Longjing, a famous variety of green tea. The aroma in the air is simply wonderful.

 
 

Soaking up the Floridian rays:



It always seems like we are fixing Justin's bike. But that is what Dads are for! We heart DAD.



The Mitchells' definition of a vacation = Haagen-Dazs by the lake.

 
 

The nightlife awakes at Xihu Tiandi.

Pictured below: The most amazing guitarist this side of the hemisphere and his two groupies.

When I look into your eyes
I can see a love restrained
But darlin' when I hold you
Don't you know I feel the same

'Cause nothin' lasts forever
And we both know hearts can change
And it's hard to hold a candle
In the cold November rain

 

A rough night for this stranger with his head in a tub of popcorn. Derek made me take a picture.

 

I have two beautiful couples before me, but I only have one photograph in my hand. That photo represents the couple who is still in the running for America's Next Top...

Sorry, Derek and I love that show! Shout out to Amanda--ANTM! D, next time, try to smile with your eyes.

 

 

Frank...wasn't that his name?

 

We land back in Beijing...and the best way to end a vacation? Take-out Rumi and a two hour massage. Bravo yiqis!