My Hangzhou Trip Report: Pretty Sure I Was Trapped in West Lake!
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I avoided the crowds and went to Maojiabu (a great spot for birdwatching, very few people, lots of birds, and very pristine/natural). I also visited Hupao Park (a bit more crowded, but green everywhere, it reminded me of Tiger Hill in Suzhou).
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Oh! None of the guides I checked mentioned these places. It's a shame I didn't get to see them.
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It's just that the travel guides are too homogenized. Everyone follows the same routes. I think exploring a few different, less-common spots would provide a fresher experience.
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Next time you're here, you could book a visit to the Zhijiang Campus of Zhejiang University, the Zhijiang branches of the Zhejiang Provincial Museum and the Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum, the Zhijiang branch of the Zhejiang Library, the Xiangshan Campus of the China Academy of Art, the Zhejiang Conservatory of Music, Xianghu Lake, or the Liangzhu Archaeological Site. They offer a deep sense of culture and history, and are great for a relaxing stroll when it's not crowded.
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I remember the Zhijiang campus having a retro vibe. I prefer really authentic, original places, so I went to the Yuquan campus instead. I've seen a lot of museums lately and am a bit tired of them. I wanted to go to Xianghu Lake, but didn't have enough time. I did visit the Zhejiang Library on Shuguang Road; I recall the Zhijiang branch is new and very high-tech, but it was too far for me.
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As a Zhejiang University alum/old-timer, let me tell you, the Yuquan campus is way better than Zijingang.
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Haha, why do you say that?
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Because West Lake is right in the city center and it's huge. But many people don't fully explore it. Beishan Road, Nanshan Road, Longjing Road, Meiling Road, Hupao Road, and Yanggong Causeway are all completely different! Just Beishan Road alone has so much history.
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I thought the 'Ten Scenic Spots' were supposed to be the most beautiful, but when I visited, they felt a bit underwhelming. What kind of history do these roads you mentioned hold?
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I remember the boats on the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal had windows you could open. I took one back in '19.
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The one I was on had air conditioning, so the windows couldn't be opened.
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It's because you couldn't escape the typical tourist experience either.
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That Prince Bay (Taiziwan) you liked? That's its true, unadorned self after the tulip crowds have gone. The Yu Qian Shrine is similar, with very few tourists. It's the same for other parts of West Lake; when you come with hurried expectations, perhaps it's like seeing it through a veil, missing its true face. The most natural and genuine beauty is often discovered unexpectedly, perhaps during an early morning or evening walk.