A dinner to remember at Shangri La

We set out initially to go to a Holiday Inn Hotel but discovered that it was way out of Hangzhou - we were interested in the buffet and we had asked a young Chinese girl if she could explain where it was - we had an advertisement from More Hangzhou, but she explained it would take 100 RMB in a taxi to get there, so we changed our plans.

The magazine had great things to say about Peppino's at the Shangri La Hotel, which is on the other side of the West Lake from where we were, so we hopped in a taxi and travelled to the hotel that was set in beautiful gardens high above the lake. Now this is a place that I MUST go back to if I return to China. It was a shame that we only had the opportunity to see this place after dark. The hotel was certainly splendid - with a most wonderful piece of artwork in the foyer and another in the restaurant. The food? Absolutely fabulous! We had the Antipasto Buffet - which had a wonderful array of foods. We started with three fabulous breads, and a bottle of great Australian wine. The buffet included real smoked salmon, pate, vegetables as only the Italians do for their antipastos, and real cheese. Now this is something we really missed. CHEESE. The Chinese are not cheese eaters, so this was one of the many Western foods we craved. What a meal! So enjoyable. We noticed that many "foreigners" also enjoyed the restaurant, but there was a fair sprinkling of Chinese too.

After the meal we went back into the little shop near the foyer. These shops are a feature of most upmarket hotels and they sell all manner of expensive Chinese artifacts including Jade jewelery, Jade figurines, tea sets etc. And to our surprise (due to the financial turmoil we were told) there was a 90% discount! Oh, if only we (a) had more room in our suitcases and (b) had money to spare! Initially we were going to get a taxi from the foyer, but I suggested we at least go down to the lake edge and see the view. I'm glad we did. It was around 10 pm and the night was still, cool, but comfortable and the view of the lights around the lake was almost breathtaking. In the end we walked back to our hotel along the pathway at the edge of the lake. We heard the ducks, we saw the lights and quite amazingly an "airship" flew overhead with one side of it a screen where advertising was being played.

We found a little place for a coffee near the West Lake before walking the last few paces to the hotel.

Back along the West Lake

I could spend a week around Hangzhou and the West Lake and still not be satisfied. There is so much to see - so much to do - so many places to eat and drink! It is alive with tourists and activity.

After our gallery visit we walked around the lake - well, not ALL around, but we followed various paths back and forth past places of interest. We found a little cafe for lunch and watched with interest as the guard on duty in the park nearby did his 'work'. One wonders what first timers in China might think about the heavy numbers of guards, but by and large their are friendly souls with seemingly little to do - unless something goes wrong.

"Our" guard stood quietly behind the building apparently trying to keep out of the cold winds, and then when he did wait on the pathway, he redirected people who had dared walk on the grass, and occasionally gave directions.

We had lunch and wandered back around the little shops and kiosks just taking in the scenery. There were many decorations in preparation for the Chinese New Year (January 26th), and people seemed to be in quite a holiday mood.

We had no agenda, and walked back to the afternoon for a power nap.

West Lake - Hangzhou

Marco Polo visited Hangzhou and said wonderful things about the place which had been an ancient fishing village hundreds of years ago. Now it is a top tourist destination - being not all that far from Shanghai. The West Lake, reputed to be the most beautiful lake in all of China is a feature. Here are some of my photos of the lake taken in January 2009.