Hangzhou is an old City (221 BC) in an old province (Zhejiang) which is famous for trade, tea, silk and agriculture. It has always been rich. It is the center of regional government, though not the Imperial. It, along with Guilin, is considered to be the Chinese's favorite tourist city.

It is (was) connected all the way to Beijing via the Grand Canal, the world's longest canal at 1,800 kilometers.

This picture is of Bron and Marsha, wife of EJ, friends made during our tour. They are burning incense in prayer for friends at the 'Temple of Souls Retreat' (Lingyin Si), which is the main tourist site in Hangzhou. This site is beloved by the Chinese, so it is constantly crowded.

There are many lakes around Hangzhou, but due to the air quality, the scenery is not too good and to visit them was a bit boring to us.