Hangzhou

Hangzhou is considered one of the most beautiful cities in all of China. Located on Xi Hu (West Lake) and only 2 hours by car (or van as the case may be) away from Suzhou. It is amazing we haven't visited sooner! We spent a relaxing day walking around the lake, took a boat out to some islands, and had a delicious dinner.

We found some green space that you are actually allowed to walk on - a rarity in China. Of course the kids wanted to take advantage of it with a game of tag....

Tuesday morning before heading to the mountains, we enjoyed a leisurely cup of STARBUCKS coffee on a balcony overlooking the lake. What a peaceful spot.... we particularly enjoyed this because we can't go anywhere without drawing a crowd. At one point, we had sat on some benches near the lake to eat lunch and enjoy the view. But soon such a crowd had congregated to gawk at us that we couldn't even see the lake! We often joke that we feel like zoo animals. I know that I have mentioned the staring before, but I don't think that you can fully comprehend it without being here. They stare at the kids, they touch them (particularly their hair), they want their pictures taken with them.... did I mention we are like zoo animals? ;-)

Tori loved riding the boat to the islands.

The place we had dinner at was holding a wedding that night - so inadvertently (since we were a few tables away) we went to our first Chinese wedding! The table behind Becca which was right next to ours was the beginning of the wedding guests. Apparently, the actual wedding ceremony takes place in the restaurant.