The classical Chinese landscape of the West Lake has drawn visitors to Hangzhou for the past thousand years, and we were no exception. Strolling along the Su Causeway and its six bridges, built by the famous Song Dynasty poet-governor, Su Dongpo, we drank in the sight of restored classical pagodas, lakeside pavilions, and newly opened lotuses swaying in the breeze. Willow trees gracefully draped their branches towards the water, and wooden pleasure boats floated peacefully on the lake. Although we had been to Hangzhou before, this visit was a new revelation in enjoyment as we walked through gardens we had not seen before, filled with lush greenery, and wandered through stands of towering bamboo. The highlight of our visit, however, was our afternoon hike among the green tea fields south of the West Lake, a sight slightly off the beaten track, but greatly enriching and worthwhile.

We left the crowds of tourists behind and a short bus ride found us at the entrance to the Nine Creeks and Eighteen Gullies hiking trail, a well paved path snaking through hillside tea villages and sloping valleys planted with row upon row with striking green tea plants. Following a smaller path through one of the tea fields, we found ourselves surrounded on all sides by trees and lush bushes of tea leaves. It was hard to believe we were in a country of 1.4 billion people, as we couldn't hear a single sound except for our own footsteps in the underbrush, the chirping of crickets, and the distant call of birds. Only a solitary tea farmer here or there was to be found, pruning the bushes by hand.

The tea fields surrounding the Nine Creeks and Eighteen Gullies trail just south of the West Lake produces the famous West Lake Longjing Tea, and many a villager here come out to greet you and to offer you tea in their family-run teahouse. The Longjing tea village was a particular delight to witness, as it contained charming houses built in classical Hangzhou style, with whitewashed walls, latticed windows, and black tiled roofs. As for the “nine creeks” and “eighteen gullies” themselves, we quickly lost count of how many we crossed. Apparently, the numbers “nine” and “eighteen” are symbolic, signifying “many” creeks and gullies. In addition to the myriad of natural beauty and delicious tea stops the trail had to offer, we also passed the Li’an Temple where hikers came to take refreshment at the temple tea house and whose abbot had a reputation as a tiger-tamer. A quiet stroll through the temple grounds restored our energy as we continued on our way through the flourishing tea countryside.

The Chinese term for a beautiful landscape painting is “shan-shui hua”, or “mountain-water picture”, both of which were plentiful throughout the stunning sprawls of West Lake countryside. Located in the fertile Yangtze river delta region, Hangzhou has an ancient history as one of the historical capitals of China and has been a center for art, literature and culture through the ages. Marco Polo, on his visit in the 13th century, called it “the finest and the noblest in the world”. One of the legendary places of beauty throughout Chinese history, it boasts some of China's finest poets and is the setting for many famous works of literature. Hangzhou is one of the must-see sights on your visit to China. As the old Chinese saying goes, "Above is Heaven; below are Suzhou and Hangzhou." Now who wouldn't want to visit heaven on earth?

The best time to visit West Lake in Hangzhou is during the harvest season which runs between March-May, a visit during this time of year will allow you to see the tea fields at their prime. However, Hangzhou boasts beautiful scenery throughout the year, and some of the famous sights can only be seen in winter, such as "Snow Falling on Broken Bridge".

Hangzhou does have an international airport, but many visitors will find it easier to arrive in Shanghai and take a fast train to Hangzhou. The "D" trains are the fastest and will get you there in about an hour and twenty minutes.

To get to the tea fields of West Lake Hangzhou, take the Y3 bus to the beginning of the Nine Creeks trail. Bus drivers don't speak English, but the signs are bilingual.

Take some time to sample the Longjing tea and relax in a restaurant or teahouse while sampling some local specialties. If ordering tea, however, make sure you find out the price per cup ("bei") versus per pot ("hu") before ordering.

The best way to take in the sights of the West Lake is to meander casually around the perimeter of the lake, making stops or side trips whenever you encounter something interesting. The beauty of Hangzhou speaks for itself, and there is more than enough to keep you occupied for a day or two.