An autumn scene at West Lake in Hangzhou. [Photo: Chinadaily.com.cn]

Day 2: Hangzhou

Called the backyard of Shanghai, Hangzhou is 140 kilometers and two hours drive from Shanghai and is most famous for its beautiful West Lake. The best way to enjoy the lake is to rent a bicycle and cycle around at your leisure. As the inspiration behind many Chinese love stories and poems, West Lake is considered to be one of the most romantic places in China.

Spring is the best time to visit Longjing (Dragon Well), Hangzhou's famous tea village. The village's name comes from a well in Longjing Park. It is said that after rain the water floating on the surface of the well twists and turns, resembling the movement of a traditional Chinese dragon.

Enjoying tea is the most popular activity in Lonjing and there are small tea houses everywhere. It is highly recommended to enjoy tea tasting and if you buy some to take with you, it is quite likely that the farmers will come and chat with you providing a great chance to get to know some of the locals. The tea here is not necessarily known for its high quality, it's the experience and way of drinking tea that's important.

The nearby Nine Brooks and Eighteen Dales is the real secret treasure of Hangzhou, with tall green trees and clean brooks along the zigzagged road. Here you can escape from the crowds, take in some fresh air and indulge in the scenery that saw many ancient poets create legendary works.

Xixi National Wetland Park is 30 minutes out of the city and was established with the aim of preserving the area's wetland ecology. The park not only boasts a vast array of wildlife but also the first wetland museum in China.