Hang Zhou - The City of Romance

Hang Zhou! (Night Time)

Woah! What can I say about this province? Phew! The surprises that were in store for us almost blew us away! The sceneries were breath-taking and the whole place was absolutely wonderful! The moment I entered Hang Zhou, I was transported back into the 18th Century of China!

Our first introduction to Hang Zhou was through an excellent acrobatic show! As we saw the talented young gymnasts performing their stunts, we couldn't help ourselves giving them loud applauses at every opportunity that we had! The story line of the performance was based on the history, legends, lifestyle and religion of China. These include the cave-man times, Medieval times, the famous Butterfly Lovers legend, to the Thousand Hand Boddhisatva! (This is an absolute Must See Video to have an idea of what I'm talking about!). The combination of laser lights, golden costume, long, golden finger accessories, and the tall hat were so good! To see this dance performed live in front of my eyes was absolutely an experience that I will never forget!

The next destination was an ancient street! The moment I stepped into the street, I was transported back into the 16th Century of China. Everybody on this street was dressed in the ancient traditional costumes. I even saw singing tops, games that people in the 16th century played, sugar-coated cherries and fruits, melon shaped wind instruments... ...

The shops of the 16th Century, selling herbs, pillows, you name it.

Jewellery shop

Melon Shaped instruments. They produce a very, very hollow, melodious sound. Its sound reminds me of the wind; As a lonely person, walks down a long, quiet ath, the journey is hard, the journey is tough, anad yet, the person walks on, facing the challenges ahead. "Come what may!" he said. "I will overcome it!" and a long, higher octave C-note begins trailing along the winds of changes in his life....

Have you ever seen a kid happily sucking on sugar coated cherries, strawberries, kiwi, mangoes? I was that kid on that street that particular day,

What is this man doing?<<>> (Direct Translation)

As I continued walking down the streets, I chanced upon a man clapping 2 wodden planks in one hand, rhythmically telling a story, laughing merrily, and another hand, pulling a long string behind the small stage to switch on and off the small light bulb every few seconds. I was so curious!

So, I decided to approach his booth. "Young Lady, do you want to enjoy 3 stories?" the man asked me in Mandarin, rhythimically, as he continued to clap his wooden planks.

Being musically inclined, and naturally curious, I nodded shyly.

The man then smiled, slightly amused by my response, and invites me to sit on the bench next too his small wooden both. I notice there are 5 holes in the middle of the booth. As I wonder which hole do I approach, the merry story teller tells me to sit in the middle. "Miss! Sit here! In the middle! The view is much better!"

I obey blindly. Not knowing what to expect, feeling a little silly for paying to peer into a darkened hole of a wooden box.

"Are you ready?" the man asks.

I nodded shyly again.

The merry story teller then began clapping his wooden planks and asks me, with much rhythm, "Miss! Do you see a tiger in there?"

Suddenly, it's bright in here! I see a wooden plank with drawings of a man fighting a tiger! The tiger looks fierce and it seems as if it wants to attack the man!

"Yes! Yes! I see the tiger!" I answered! glad that I could spot that tiger as he clapped his wooden planks excitedly.

The story teller switches of the light. I thought, "that's all?" and the story teller pushes my head back into the viewing hole and says, "Ahhh!It's not finished yet, Miss! The tiger looks fierce and it seems as if it wants to attack the man! They fight! and now, look! What happened to the tiger?"

"The hero fights with the tiger and now, the tiger is dead! It is bleeding all over!" I replied softly.

"Ah! Yes!" the storyteller continued triumphantly! " He's dead! and now, Miss, Look to your right. What do you see?"

I follow his instructions and look to my right! My! I gasp in 'awe'! " I see a boy peeing from a tree!" I laughed!

"Now, Look who's he peeing on?" The story continues clapping and asking.

"Oh!!! He's peeing on something(.. I forgot what it is already)." I laughed gleefully again! ehehehhe! It was so funny that I began to laugh uncontrollably!

As I continued peering into the hole, the story teller began switching on and off the tiny light bulb as he changed different story boards, with different characters, with unexpected comical endings, that I was rolling on my tummy, laughing heartily at the end of it all! By the time the story ended, My laughter had attracted such a large crowd! Slightly embarassed, yet not the least bit surprised. A few in the crowd asked me "what's so funny, Miss?"

"hahahahahahahahhahahah!" I began laughed uncontrollably again! The laughing button in me had been triggered! Overdose of laughing gas! "You have to watch it yourself! It's fun! Trust me! Very very funny!" I laughed non-stop! Couldn't even walk properly after that! hahahahahaha!That was my most memorable moment in China!

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Hang Zhou! (Day Time)

Hang Zhou is so captivating in the morning! Even its hotels are unique!

This is the wall of the hotel we stayed in! Doesn't it look gold plated?

It does have a certain '80s Western feel here!

They even design the windows with so much creativity! Interesting!

Here comes the most interesting part!

"Black jagung? Can it be eaten?" you eyes widen as you ask.
"Yup! Black jagung! Wonder what it tastes like? It's tasteless!" ^_^

Proof! People actuallyl do eat it! I ate it too!!! No fear factor here! It's just corn!



At the Tea Garden! Famous for its hand fried tea leaves

Another scene of the lake!
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Highlight of Hang Zhou

The highlight of our visit to Hang Zhou is the West Lake (or 'Xi Hu' in Mandarin) .

This lake is one of the biggest lakes in China! This lake is so big that it has 10 famous attractions!

First is the bridge! Looks really good when it's snowing!

An ancient boat... on the lake.

Next on the list is the Lei Feng Ta (or Thunder and Wind Pagoda). According to legend, a white snake who turned into a pretty woman attracted the heart of a mortal. However, it is against the law for a mortal to inter-marry with angels/half-turned angels because bad luck will befall the local community. . So, a monk tricked the white snake and imprisoned her under this Pagoda.

Another scene of the lake!

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The best part of visiting the West Lake is the 3 structures in the middle of the lake. Do you know what's so special about these 3 structures? During Mid Autumn Festival (Lantern Festival), we will be able to see 33 moons on this lake! Because each structure has five holes in it. So, let's count , how can 33 moons appear on the lake during mid-autumn festival?

3 structures, with a candles in it each and 5 holes for each structure : 15 moons

Another 15 reflections for reflection: 15 moons
One moon in the sky: 1
Moon's reflection in the water: 1
Altogether: 32

"Where's another moon then?" you ask. Well it's another lovely analysis!
Another moon is within your heart and soul! :)
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