Exploring Hangzhou's Natural Beauty and Urban Harmony
Actually, I don’t think there’s anything particularly special about Hangzhou alone in terms of monolithic tourist spots. While I can’t say I’m deeply moved by any specific spot, the feeling of being overwhelmed by nature is something I’ve encountered before. Perhaps because deep-seated beliefs about nature are hard to change, this has actually .
But it’s also true that we’ve spent so much time in southeast even though I still oppose excessive landscape design. Over time, we’ve developed our own aesthetic sense, and some degree of landscape design can actually spark cultural imagination based on the foundation of our culture. The bustling landscape of Hangzhou seems to have been subtly integrated into everyday life, achieving a kind of harmony between beauty and meaning. I had several dawn rides before breakfast.
Now, instead of taking taxis, I choose to ride a bike, which makes the journey feel more personal and relaxed. The greenery around me is vast and bright, with water so clear it seems almost translucent. As I enjoy the birdsong that wakes me up, memories of past mornings merge with present moments in this vibrant setting.
After breakfast, I walked to Jing An Canal in the evening, a place I’ve always admired but can’t quite identify with now. From arch heading south, I passed through bustling street fairs for food lovers and entertainment-goers, visited parks with children playing and elderly walkers, browsed museums monasteries, and bookstores, had a drink at a cozy , stood by a dimly lit bridge pier, and reflected on previous conversations that seemed to have faded away. Whether it was couples kissing, families enjoying each other’s company, or mock market fantasy, all those moments were gone.
The lights on the dark cast long shadows that sway with the waves. The faint sounds of a distant pipa player surrounded me as I listened intently. The simple notes seemed to blur everything into confusion, and as I hummed along, another distant sound emerged from somewhere elsea few bars playing jazz. Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’ll find next.
As I wandered further, the pipa sounds faded into the background, leaving me alone with the river’s echo. The streets seemed too loud and chaotic for my taste, but I knew it was time to leave. I ate a bowl of steamed dumplings and green tea at a small shop on the street, the cool tea quenching my hangover from the night before. This was far better than anything I could buy in the city.
In the evening, after a long day exploring West , I decided to try paddle-boat . Unfortunately, there were strict rules about who could paddle and where you had to go. After several attempts, I ended up with a single-person boat that was too heavy for me. It wasn’t until I found a good-looking woman willing to share the same fate that we made it to a well-known restaurant called Crossing ’s House.
The scenery along the canal is quite restrictive, and our paddle-boat journey only lasted about half an hour before we returned to shore. The narrow stretched out in front of us, with small ducks waddling where they could be seen without causing any disturbance. At every bridge passage, the cool water made my skin tingle. The idea of drifting aimlessly on a summer day never crossed my mind.
