Business Burgeons In Hangzhou As Alibaba Takes Center Stage

HANGZHOU, China, Feb. 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- An ancient city known for its natural beauty and cultural heritage, Hangzhou, the capital of China's Zhejiang province, has become a vibrant metropolis.  It is home to Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., the e-commerce company whose recent IPO was the largest in U.S. history. Alibaba, now testing drone delivery of merchandise, has captured center stage like no other Chinese company and is bringing world-wide interest to the city. 

Business travelers in Hangzhou have the opportunity to learn traditional Chinese culture as well as experience modern China. With the new 72-hour visa, visitors can both work and spend time enjoying China's most beautiful city.

Only 45 minutes from Shanghai on the Bullet Train, Hangzhou is situated on mystical West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, surrounded on three sides by hills and boasting three islands and two causeways.

From mid-March until January, Impression West Lake, a blockbuster show featuring light, music, dance and theater, is performed on a stage built just below the surface of the water. Based on a legend, it is produced by Zhang Yimou, the celebrated film director who created the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

It is said that Alibaba's founder, Jack Ma, frequently visited West Lake to practice his English on tourists and that the idea of Alibaba was born in West Lake's tea house.

Porcelain, silk, and tea all have rich histories in Hangzhou with dedicated museums. Other unusual museums with workshops for visitors include the Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine; Hangzhou Arts and Crafts Museum; China Umbrella Museum and China Knife, Scissor and Swords Museum. The city's Grand Canal, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the earth's oldest and longest canal.

One of the world's most important temples, the Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou, features over 400 limestone carvings.  Hangzhou's many festivals include the annual Dragon Festival, a boat race believed to be lucky for viewers.

Virtually all top hotel brands are represented here.

Hangzhou is one of China's six oldest capitals, offering 5000 years of rich culture.  When Marco Polo visited 800 years ago, he declared it the most splendid city in the world.  Many consider it to be that today.  

Ritz Tours at www.ritztours.com or Alexander + Roberts at www.alexanderroberts.com can arrange sojourns in Hangzhou. Visit: http://en.gotohz.com/lvyou5/website/index1.html or call: 917-521-5271.

SOURCE Hangzhou Tourism Commission