Hangzhou Poised to Embrace the World – An Interview with Hangzhou Tourism Commission Director Li Hong

CT: A museum is an archive recording a city’s evolving history. What museums do you recommend to foreign visitors? And what culinary delights await them in Hangzhou? 

Li: Hangzhou was the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), so I recommend to visitors the Southern Song Dynasty Guan Kiln Museum, and those themed on tea, silk, knives, swords, and umbrellas are also well worth visiting. 

In addition, we have a living craftsmanship exhibition center, displaying a dozen traditional handicrafts which all make up our country’s intangible cultural heritage. Visitors can also enhance their experience by participating in some activities. 

At the Liangzhu Culture Museum, the living environment and conditions of local people about 5,000 years ago are depicted, with lots of stone, jade and black pottery wares on display. 

Longjing Tea 

There is also the Hangzhou Cuisine Museum, showing how banquet tables were laid out in ancient times, where you can not only learn about the history of Hangzhou cuisine, but also savor those delicious dishes. On walking out of the museum, you can take a stroll in the nearby Jiangyangfan Ecological Park.    

Hangzhou’s traditional dishes include such well-known delights as West Lake Carp in Sweet and Sour Sauce, Fried Shelled Shrimps with Longjing Tea, Dongpo Pork, and Beggar’s Chicken. Savoring them may help you better understand the city’s long history and its inclusive and open nature.