Leisurely walk in Hangzhou [China]

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[{"address":"Lingyin Temple","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.14321712068773834,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":30.24090845925775,"longitude":120.10145734999998},"media":[{"type":"text","content":"# Lingyin Temple"},{"metadata":{"width":550,"height":733},"type":"img","version":1,"content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2Fhbb2CtUYExM3Yam1dT9y%2Fa3c11d9f3e13ea58ae4223ff2e075fd4.jpg?alt=media&token=fd35cf85-2037-480f-8555-85077d43095c"},{"type":"text","content":"Originally built in 326 A.D., this temple is one of the largest and wealthiest Buddhist temples in China. The temple’s name is translated as Temple of the Soul’s Retreat. The temple experienced its peak during the years 907-978, and many of the carvings in the grottoes date back to that time.\n\nCurrently on its sixteenth reiteration, today’s version dates mostly to the period prior to 1911. Entry to the temple is through the Hall of the Four Heavenly Kings due to the statues of the Four Heavenly Kings.\n\nOne of the most interesting features to see is the Feilai Feng grottoes. Made of limestone, the main peak appears out of place since it does not appear like the surrounding mountains. The caves and grottoes are dotted with Buddhist carvings. Don’t miss the main cave where a crack in the ceiling stretches up to the surface so that a visitor can see a sliver of sunlight if standing directly underneath it. Make sure you experience this, also called the “one thread of heaven.”\n\n"},{"metadata":{"width":540,"height":960},"type":"video","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2Fhbb2CtUYExM3Yam1dT9y%2Ft%E1%BA%A3i%20xu%E1%BB%91ng%20(4).mp4?alt=media&token=b7e204a2-48d6-4028-a3c5-386b79b0ce6e"},{"type":"text","content":"## Travel Essentials\n* Entry: CNY 30\n* Open: 7am – 6:15pm\n* Time needed for a visit: 1 hour.\n##How to Get There\nTo get there, you can take special tourist buses at Hangzhou Railway (main) Train Station, for example, 1 (Y1), 2 (Y2), 7/K7, Y13, or K807/K837. You should get off the bus at the station called Lingyin. It is situated 9 km away from the West Lake, which is on the west of the city.\n\nMost buses are 1-3 yuan, while a taxi will cost you CNY 10 for the first 3 kilometers, then 2-3 yuan per kilometer: that's about 15 yuan from West Lake.\n\n##Rules of Conduct\nFlash photography and smoking are forbidden inside the temple, although noise (including prayers and psalms) and incense sticks are allowed everywhere. "}]},{"address":"Yuewang Temple （Northwest Gate 1）","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.14321712068773834,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":30.252809759262153,"longitude":120.13405089999998},"media":[{"type":"text","content":"# Yuewang Temple"},{"metadata":{"width":1000,"height":750},"type":"img","version":1,"content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2Fhbb2CtUYExM3Yam1dT9y%2FYue_Fei_temple_13.jpg?alt=media&token=ff32b6a6-11c9-4301-a1a9-0df7ea8a5362"},{"type":"text","content":"Yuewang temple (also known as the Yue Fei Temple) is situated right across the road from the Impression West Lake show (see below) and a good place to visit before the show starts. History buffs will love the interesting backstory of the temple and the man it was built for. Construction first started on the temple during the Song Dynasty in 1221 and it was built to honor General Yue Fei who led the Southern Song army against the Jurchen Jin dynasty. He was betrayed by corrupt officials who created false charges that led to his imprisonment and death sentence. Yue Fei was later exonerated and honored with a temple and mausoleum built to venerate his memory as a legendary national hero.\n\nOpening Hours: 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.\n\nAddress: 80 Beishan Rd, Xihu Qu, Hangzhou Shi, Zhejiang Sheng, China, 310002"},{"type":"link","content":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yue_Fei_Temple"}]},{"address":"Xi Lake","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.14321712068773834,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":30.2448910970857,"longitude":120.14920505524445},"media":[{"type":"text","content":"# West Lake"},{"metadata":{"width":357,"height":521},"type":"img","version":1,"content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2Fhbb2CtUYExM3Yam1dT9y%2Fwest-lake.jpg?alt=media&token=2e2a2cc0-5a83-473d-9fc1-8bc0e985e085"},{"type":"text","content":"Besides peaceful walks on the lake and stopping at tea houses for a drink, you should hop on a boat and brave the crowds to visit the islet known as “Three Pools Mirroring the Lake.” There are several docks around the lake where you can buy a ticket for a return boat ride. The island has beautiful ponds, lush greenery and gardens, and stone structures. The three stone pagodas on the south side of the island are the symbols of Hangzhou and are printed on the back of China’s one yuan banknote. The pagodas are quite tiny though and can be seen more clearly if you take another smaller boat to get close to them."},{"metadata":{"width":576,"height":1024},"type":"video","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2Fhbb2CtUYExM3Yam1dT9y%2Ft%E1%BA%A3i%20xu%E1%BB%91ng.mp4?alt=media&token=a7a3d5c1-6a82-4ca0-91fd-8b6aeb56b00a"}]},{"address":"Meijiawu Longjing","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.14321712068773834,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":30.240694459257643,"longitude":120.16829915},"media":[{"type":"text","content":"# Meijiawu Tea Village"},{"metadata":{"width":1000,"height":667},"type":"img","version":1,"content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2Fhbb2CtUYExM3Yam1dT9y%2F62f093b10c9c375c284287c3a13bf41229f28024.jpg?alt=media&token=333b1d85-9f2c-446c-9b48-a256bf825a1c"},{"metadata":{"width":640,"height":426},"type":"img","version":1,"content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2Fhbb2CtUYExM3Yam1dT9y%2F140401143149_9209.jpg?alt=media&token=0d03a3c2-10df-4ea9-a14f-9a218ad6736b"},{"metadata":{"width":600,"height":450},"type":"img","version":1,"content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2Fhbb2CtUYExM3Yam1dT9y%2Fmeijiawu-tea-village-2.jpg?alt=media&token=81bf4fbf-ad15-4a33-ad7d-08261ad28fbd"},{"type":"text","content":"Hop onto a taxi to get to Meijiawu Tea Village that has specialized in growing Longjing (Dragon Well) tea for more than 600 years. The village is incredibly charming with small canals, tea houses, and its surrounding fields of tea. One of the most famous tea varieties in China, Longjing tea leaves are pan roasted right after they are picked to stop the natural oxidation process which occurs with black teas. When you visit a tea house, they will serve the tender green tea leaves in individual glasses steeped with hot water. The flavor is mild and the tea is packed with vitamin C and amino acids, and has the highest concentrate of catechins (an antioxidant) amongst teas. Longjing tea is expensive but really worth the price!\n\nWe visited the village in the off season, which has its advantages and disadvantages. The streets were practically empty so we could relax in the tea house and hike up the tea fields easily. There are stairs built on the hill to take you to the very top for a gorgeous view of all the tea fields. The disadvantage is that we missed the celebratory tea picking period of March to early April. You can help farmers pick tea leaves and watch as they roast the leaves in their homes. There are 160 farmers who live right by their fields and you can see their houses as you hike up the hill. If you’re lucky and speak Chinese, one of them might pop out and talk to you about their tea. \n\nOpening Hours: varies with different tea houses but go during the late morning to early afternoon.\n\n"},{"type":"link","content":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2DLP82Q2QU&feature=emb_logo"}]},{"address":"Qinghefang","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.14321712068773834,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":30.23960825925727,"longitude":120.17546145},"media":[{"type":"text","content":"# Qinghefang Ancient Street"},{"metadata":{"width":788,"height":396},"type":"img","version":1,"content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2Fhbb2CtUYExM3Yam1dT9y%2FQinghefang-Ancient-Street-in-Hangzhou-09-788x396.jpg?alt=media&token=efd52e38-2f7c-4535-bdaf-5288699de6a3"},{"type":"text","content":"During the Southern Song Dynasty, Qinghefang had tea houses, shops and restaurants (much like today) and was the center of politics and culture in Hangzhou. Some stores and restaurants are centuries old and are still going strong in the area! In particular, the traditional Chinese medicine pharmacies have been treating patients with their herbal remedies for more than a century. The buildings in the ancient street are beautifully preserved and are especially striking at night when they are all lit up.\n\nOpening Hours: Daily, 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. "},{"type":"link","content":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5EFJkJXYNA"}]}]