Hangzhou at the Forefront of Sustainable Tourism in China

Hangzhou

The city of Hangzhou in eastern China has long been known for its natural beauty – even Marco Polo called it the “most splendid city in the world” when he visited in the 13th century, likely after seeing its majestic West Lake or Lingyin Temple.

Modern-day Hangzhou is still just as beautiful, but also a booming metropolis and business center, with the e-commerce giant Alibaba’s headquarters located there. 

One of the most promising aspects of Hangzhou, however, is its commitment to green policies, which safeguard its natural surroundings and protect its beauty for locals and tourists to come. 

Hangzhou’s Grand Canal is lined with trees, pedestrian parks and lantern-lit paths. It also offers a fast-growing metro network and has limits on car ownership so as to keep air pollution in check. 

Hangzhou is home to the world’s largest bike-share network, with more than 250,000 share-bike rides taken each day and rental bikes available at 3,300 kiosks throughout the city – eight times more than in London. 

The city also recently launched cycling routes that meander through the farms that grow the famous Longjing tea. 

Hangzhou is ahead of the curve in its energy conservation and environmental protection measures, providing even more reason to visit this beautiful historic but on-the-cutting-edge city.