Hangzhou in the eyes of foreigners
Hangzhou, the host city of G20 summit and one of the favorite destinations for domestic and international tourists, has attracted foreign copy editors at China Daily to express their impression about the city and share their stories there.
Nelly Min, from the United States
My visit to Hangzhou was about five years ago, shortly after we moved to China from Las Vegas. West Lake, or Xihu, had already been pointed out to us as a must-see, so we were excited when a work opportunity presented itself.
After months of being in Beijing, it was a huge relief to land in Hangzhou, where the very air smelled fresher. We spent the whole day walking around West Lake, taking a boat ride, and just soaking up the atmosphere. What I remember most about that day, other than the numerous couples dressed in wedding gear posing for photos, was the general feeling of calm and relaxation-- meandering through the scenic lake on a lazy boat, sometimes going under bridges and passing the wedding couples in all their finery.
I also remember the amazing food, which was more like the American Chinese food we were used to than what we had experienced in Beijing. A visit to Hangzhou during the first difficult months in China gave me hope that things could get better, and they did.
A girl poses for photos at the West Lake in Hangzhou, capital of East China's Zhejiang province, Aug 26, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]