Chapter from the book "23 Reasons to Fall in Love with Hangzhou", written by Natasa Vujicic
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A few days after we moved to Hangzhou (it might have even been our very first weekend in the city), following a tip from a colleague, my husband took us to see Xiang Lake (湘湖). Our son brought his bike and rode up and down, while the two of us walked behind him hand in hand. I was six months pregnant with our second child. Our lives were just starting in this amazing place. The lake was empty of crowds, with only a handful of locals fishing or resting on the grass. Everywhere we looked we could see water, trees, and stone bridges.
The first time my mom come to China for a visit, we took her to this lake. Having no idea where to go and not remembering where we had gone the last time (have I mentioned my sense of direction?), we just picked a random place off the map. By pure luck we stumbled across Xiasun Culture Village (下孙文化村). It was a charming, calm street lined with archways and traditional buildings. Wooden windows, antique doors, a very narrow alley, a temple, and a shrine. Out of all the places my mom has visited in China, she liked this one the best. She kept talking about it for a long time after she left. That and the lunch we had at Grandma’s Kitchen (外婆家 - a chain of restaurants popular in Hangzhou).
Xiang lake is also home to the Kuahu Cross Lake Bridge Site Museum (跨湖桥遗址博物馆), housing 8,000-year-old archeological excavations. Inside the museum is the world’s oldest canoe, preserved exactly where it was originally found. People have been fishing in this lake for the last 8,000 years, if not more.
Besides the impressive history and beautiful scenery, Xiang Lake is full of family-friendly attractions, such as Jinsha Xishui Beach Park (金沙戏水) and Hangzhou Kaiyuan Senbo Holiday Paradise (杭州开元森泊度假乐园). Nearby is the Hangzhou Polar Ocean Park (杭州极地海洋公园), home to white beluga whales and other unique sea creatures.
However, if you find yourself in this part of Hangzhou, please do not miss the Aofan Sailing Club (傲帆游艇俱乐部). It has been a place of endless fun and laughter for us, and I am sure it will be for you too. You can rent a kayak and paddle the Xiang Lake Water Street (湘湖水街)—between the wooden gates, below the stone bridges, right to the heart of the beautiful village built in traditional style. After you are done with kayaking, try paddling. You can even go sailing if the wind is strong enough. Once you are exhausted by the water, sit around the barbecue and eat skewers hot off the grill. Talk, relax, spend time with friends, enjoy the lake. Let the kids run in the grass and play with mud. If you are lucky, the sailing instructor may even join you. Ask him to tell you one of his stories (maybe the one about that time he was hitchhiking in Holland, dressed in a military uniform). You will most likely be the only visitors on shore, but if you are not, talk to the people sitting at the next table. Every time we went there, our kids made new friends and we got to know new people.
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