What is it like living in Hangzhou? To answer the question you may come up with its impressive natural landscapes and its skyline around the Westlake, or perhaps its exclusive products, such as Longjing tea and the silk. However, they are just the tip of an iceberg.

The harmonious integration of culture, history, arts, and the fast-growing economy makes the city a rising star even in the world.

"Quiet", "Peaceful" and "Relaxing" are the descriptions given by the Travel + Leisure, one of the most influential travel magazines in the United States, viewing Hangzhou as a prosperous but the most relaxing city in China.

"Even the most driven person learns to be a little aimless here," according to Hangzhou: the most relaxing city in China, an article published by the Travel + Leisure, this is how the West Lake impresses the travelers.

The world’s top travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler lists the West Lake as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. Sitting at the center of Hangzhou, the lake is the most-visited landmark and is complimented as the pearl on the crown.

"While walking by the lake, you are not only viewing the sceneries but also reviewing the story of the city," says Peaceful and poetic: beautiful landscapes of Hangzhou, a September report on the Guardian, the British leading newspaper, describing the scene of the harvesting Longjing tea like this: "Straw-hatted workers are picking the leaves by hand and baskets of fresh leaves left out to dry in the sun all over the area. Ultimately, when brewed, the fried tea leaves produce a strong and robust flavor with a mild, lingering, and slightly bitter after-taste."

The travel guide Lonely Planet also points out that being in such awesome scenery, Longjing tea and the silk will introduce you to the culture and history of this mythical city as its intangible heritages.

In The story of silk, in serene Hangzhou, an article published in National Geographics in July, the silk is portrayed not only as a beautiful fabric but the culture of this prosperous city, which also plays a significant role in trade since ancient times, especially in retrospect, in the economy boom of the Southern Song Dynasty.

The city is also known as China’s Silicon Valley that catches the global spotlight.

As one of the most energetic and modernized cities in China, Hangzhou is appealing to thousands of high-tech enterprises as well as tens of thousands of talents. The world-known Alibaba Group specializing in e-commerce and technology has significantly improved the Chinese people’s life qualities in various aspects via artificial intelligence and block chain technology, the recent application of which has already been tested in urban management.

The impression of Hangzhou is way beyond the above-mentioned scopes. As stated in the Condé Nast Traveler, Hangzhou’s Shangri La-like living environment is built upon the harmony of its profound historical culture, rapid technological developments, and citizens' love and enthusiasm for the city.

Since the G20 Hangzhou Summits in 2016 and the FINA World Championships (25 meters) in 2018, Hangzhou has become increasingly influential in the world and the upcoming Asian Games in 2020 is believed to be further securing its position as an international metropolis.