Today was one of the earliest starts we have had on the trip. The group was awake, checked out and on the bus by 6:45 AM. By about 7 AM we were on our way to Hangzhou, which is located in the Zhejiang province. Hangzhou has a population of 6 million people and in China is considered a small city. The bus ride was a couple of hours, which most of us took advantage of the time to catch up on some sleep. Upon arriving in Hangzhou we took a brief drive through town and headed straight for the museum of Mr. Hu Xueyan.
This museum was an elaborate maze of hallways and gardens. We had a tour guide for this activity named Hu Weiheng, her American name is Tina. Tina led us around the home with wonderful explanations for all the sites.
Chris, Will, Evelyn and Rob stop on the bridge for a picture.
Madam Wong and Jennifer
During this tour we were given a little more time to take pictures throughout the various rooms and gardens. After lunch we headed on to our next hotel for lunch.
In the garden there were paths that we could explore. Here Brett and Nikola found their way to the second floor, while Mark, Danielle, Kristen and Adam stayed below.
Kristen and Danielle pose for a photo on the terrace.
Our tour guide Tina points out the ellaborate stone work in the walls.
Jennifer feeds the fish in the pond.
Julie poses for a picure with the Chinese Parrot in the background. Julie was one of our guides for the first part of our trip.
Julie waves from across the garden.
Nikola and Jake show their Mountaineer pride while in China.
Bridget and Lindsey on a terrace.
Talking Chinese Parrot.
Julie, Brandy, Codie and Danielle.
The girls pose in the garden.
Lindsey, Chris and Jennifer
Danielle and Adam in the hole.
Kristen and Laura pose for a picture in the doorway
Some of the students listen to the tour guide as she explains the area.
One of the kitchens on site.
The cellar that was not discovered until 1999.
The blue glass seen throughout the home was imported from France.
The many benches throughout the home were made for the women with bound feet since they could not walk far distances without taking a break.
Jacky, Evelyn, Chris and Robbie sit at around a table in a courtyard.
One of the many dining rooms.
We were greeted be the bell boys who took our bags as we checked in. At the hotel we enjoyed a buffet lunch and we were given some time after lunch to explore the grounds.
Some pictures of the hotel grounds.
Our rooms in Hangzhou.
Jennifer, Logan, Chris and Megan at lunch.
Julie and Nikola discuss Chinese dishes while waiting in line for steak.
Brett and Gene our bus driver at lunch.
The afternoon began with some time to walk around the lake in Hangzhou before boarding a ship for a boat tour. Hangzhou is known for the heart of their city "West Lake." The views were breathtaking as we set off for a two hour tour aboard Lan Zai. West Lake has a number of small islands which we were able to visit.
Robbie, Laura, Codie, Danielle, Kristen, Brandy, Nikola, and Julie before the tour.
Danielle and Kristen on the bank of the lake.
The first stop was Hu Xin Ting Island which tanslates to Lake Heart Prevailing. This island is the prevailing heart of West Lake. Here are Evelyn, Laura, Danielle, Codie, Kristen and Caitlin on the island.
Logan, Jake, Nikola and Michael pose in front of the city.
Laura, Julie, Jake, Codie, Michael and Madam Wong.
Cliff, John and Chris relax on the edge of the lake.
Mark, Kristen, Tim and Jennifer.
Madam Wong, Brandy, Laura and Julie on the boat.
The group enjoys tea on the boat.
Julie and Evelyn.
Dr. McIntyre and Dr. Riley enjoying the tour.
The interior of the boat.
We continued around the lake and stopped at the island for which the lake is famous called San Tan Yin Yue. This means three lanterns to the moon. There are three stone lanterns located in the lake near the shore of the island, as seen above.
Rommates Danielle and Caitlin stop on the bridge to look at the water lillies.
Kristen and Bridge pose for a picture on San Tan Yin Yue Island.
Dr. McIntyre gets a picture with the parrots on the island.
Lindsey takes a turn as Madam Wong takes some photos.
If you look through the doorway on the hill you can see a pagoda in the distance.
Adam peaks through a window.
After San Tan Yin Yue we continued on towards the city skyline to get a better view. The boat followed the shore and took us back to where we started. We all reluctantly filed off the boat to get back on our bus.
Next we were given time to bargain shop at the local street market. Many students
After San Tan Yin Yue we continued on towards the city skyline to get a better view. The boat followed the shore and took us back to where we started. We all reluctantly filed off the boat to get back on our bus.
Next we were given time to bargain shop at the local street market. Many students
were able to purchase silk, pearls and other Chinese products.
Our evening began with another buffet dinner and some time to relax before attending Impressions of West Lake directed by Mr. Zhang Yimou, who is China's most famous director. Mr. Yimou will be directing the opening ceremony at the Olympics. At 8PM we arrived back on West Lake for a performance we knew nothing about. We all filed in the stadium seating facing the lake. To us it seemed like one dock in the middle of the lake. Much to our surprise the show began with a woman walking on water.
This performance ended up being one of the most amazing shows many of us had ever seen. The show was based on an ancient Chinese love story. It was full of lights, music and water displays. The stage was actually built under the water.
The pictures show better than words can explain.
At the end of the performance we took a walk through Hangzhou back to our hotel, where we all quietly settled in for some much needed sleep. Tomorrow will be another early morning so we can catch our flight to Xi'an.
Check out a video of the performance as well.
