NEIGHBOURHOOD GUIDE - % Arabica Hangzhou Center

Shangcheng District, Hangzhou

West Lake is definitely Hangzhou’s most renowned landmark. It’s the shining pearl of Hangzhou. It has ten famous scenic spots, amongst which the “Three Ponds Mirroring the Moon”, is printed on the back of the fifth version of the RMB One Yuan Bill, issued in 2004. West Lake is surrounded on three sides by cloud-capped hills, pagodas, pavilions, causeways, islands and gardens. The beautiful lake scenery, historical sites and cultural relics have often been eulogised by poets and artists alike.

28 Hubin Rd, Hangzhou

https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/china/grand-hyatt-hangzhou/hangz/dining

+86-571-8779-1234

28 Hubin Road is the Chinese restaurant of Grand Hyatt nestled on the bank of the West Lake. It specialises in authentic and classic Hangzhou cuisine. It has been listed in the ‘Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants’ guide for three consecutive years. The restaurant’s charming, classical décor is adorned with an array of fittings and antiques in the Chinese Courtyard style. Hangzhou pork belly pyramid is the most remarkable and well known dish here. Slow cooked, braised and then steamed pork belly is layered over bamboo and a smoldering sweet broth and served with light chestnut pancakes. Reserve ahead and save room for a local feast that you will never forget!

Opening Hours:
Lunch : 11:30am - 2:30 pm
Dinner : 5:30pm - 10pm

22 Fayun Lane, West Lake Street, West Lake Scenic Area, Hangzhou

https://www.aman.com/resorts/amanfayun

+86-571-8732-9999

Amanfayun is hidden away in the hills to the west of West Lake. Dotted with gorgeous tea fields and thick bamboo forest, the resort is a conversion of a traditional local village. Aman has been restored lovingly to retain the original wooden and tile structure of the village. The rooms continue this minimalist design style, and each suite has a separate traditional Chinese courtyard with its own distinctive style. Through design, restoration and conservation, Amanfayun aims to take you back in time to another era of China. The cobblestoned path leads to tea fields, forest walks and several historic temples. Those with an interest in Zen Buddhism can go there to join in the morning chanting or evening meditation. Breath the crisp clear air, feel peace of mind and forget the outside world for a while in this beautiful surround.

Longjing Road, Xihu, Hangzhou

+86-571-8101-1368

Longjing Village is the place of origin of Longjing Tea. The teas from this estate are hugely sought-after green teas with over 1200 years of history and tradition. With vibrant, colourful leaves and a strong fragrance, this prized tea is often auctioned off at prices per gram greater than gold! The Longjing Village plantation is over 800 acres in size. When you stand in the growing fields, you will be immersed in the fresh air and delicate tea aroma. Visitors can book a tour and try tea picking themselves, and entry to the tea estate is free.

Opening Hours:
8:30am - 5pm

Floor B1, Fuchun Rd, New Town Shangquan, Jianggan District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang

+86-0571-8729-7592

Yan Ji You is the most popular chain bookstore in China today. Its name Yan(言) Ji(几) You(又) derives from Chinese “設”, Yan meaning ‘language’ and Ji meaning ‘difference’ and You meaning ‘alteration’. Yan Ji You aims to build a life experience bookstore filled with material to inspire imagination, communication and creativity. This store design in Hangzhou is inspired by “seeds”. Wooden panels on the ceiling symbolise fields of crops and the unique panel design gives the store a dynamic and modern feel.

Opening Hours:
10am - 10pm

No.355 Tianzhu Road, Hangzhou

+86-571-8715-3273

Jiang Nan Yi is tucked away by the tea estate on the Shang Tian Zhu mountain. The owner of Jiang Nan Yi travelled extensively around China learning all about traditional cooking, so the dishes at Jiang Nan Yi combine characteristically northern and southern Chinese cuisine. The chef is extremely talented in using spices and seasoning sauces boldly, forming her own unique and contemporary style. Cutlets of chicken with hot pepper comes highly recommended, hot and spicy but delicious.

Opening Hours:
10:30am - 8pm

518 Tianmushan Rd, Xihu, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China

http://www.xixiwetland.com.cn/

+86-571-8810-6789

Xixi National Wetland Park is China's first and only wetland park. You can find it right next to OōEli, as a tranquil space with the bustling Hangzhou. Most of the wetland is covered with water, crisscrossed over by six main watercourses, among which various ponds, lakes and swamps are scattered around. With its cool breeze of fresh air, you'll spot many rare, and beautiful birds and animals. The peaceful environment is quite suitable for a scenic walk, an exciting motorboat, or calming gondola ride.

Opening Hours:
7:30am - 6:30pm
Open daily

5 Lingyin Rd, Xihu, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China

+86-571-8113-5188

Hangzhou is renowned for its profound food culture. Jin Sha Restaurant sustains the definitive flavours of Huaiyang cuisine, while also bringing an innovative approach to the table. Jin Sha's chef utilises an international range of ingredients and techniques for his adventurous Chinese cuisine. The menu at Jin Sha restaurant features over two hundred dishes, full of familiar staples, and daring takes, like the remarkable crispy chicken, boiled sea whelks in rice win and braised pork. We recommend the signature creme brulee with Longjing tea, which boasts an excellent balance of green tea aroma and sweetness.

Opening Hours:
11:30am - 2pm, 5:30pm - 10pm
Open daily

OōEli, 398 Tianmushan Rd, Xihu District, Hangzhou Shi, Zhejiang Sheng, China

Tsutaya Bookstore is a renowned Japanese bookstore chain, with over 1400 branches around the world, that offers an abundant, diverse selection of art and culture including books, music, movies, design merchandise, etc. Now, it has expanded into mainland China with its first store in OōEli. Tsutaya represents the new style of bookstores, which offer more than a literary experience. They bring design to life, builds up literary atmosphere and presents a lifestyle in their stores. Even the arrangement of books also follows this philosophy, since you can find cooking books in the travel corner. Enjoy a modern literary and cultural experience within this beautiful space.

399 Longjing Rd, Xihu, Hangzhou

+86 571 8788 8777

An authentic and luxurious restaurant sat in the surroundings of picturesque tea fields, run by Dai Jianjun. They prepare and serve food based on sustainable slow food ideals with seasonal ingredients sourced from local suppliers. Some people will say that this restaurant is worth a trip to Hangzhou on its own.

Star Avenue, 1766 Binsheng Road, Hangzhou

On a rainy day, why not escape to a bookstore out of the ordinary. This one gives you the feeling of stepping into, 2001: A Space Odyssey film set. With is all-white futuristic look and mirror interior. Located within the Star Avenue shopping complex, this extraordinary bookstore will transport you to another dimension.

No.56 Jiuxixu Village, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, Kina

https://hangzhou-little-nap-hotel.hangzhouhotel.org/en/

+86 571 8703 3087

If you are visiting Hangzhou and are looking for a green sanctuary mixed with a bit of culture, look no further and book your stay at Little Nap Hostel. Little Nap is located inside the Xihu scenic area and is more than a hostel; it is a place of culture and art. The open ground floor is also a multi-function space of reception, gift shop, communication and restaurant. The individual room usually operates as suites but transfers to a small gallery for independent artists on occasions.

CHINA ACADEMY OF ART – XIANGSHAN CAMPUS, Zhuantang Straight Street, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China

http://en.caa.edu.cn/lifecaa/museums/index.html

Folk Art Museum of China Academy of Art is a specialised museum that combines collection, display and research. Now it has a collection of over 50,000 pieces, including shadow play, paper cutting, engraving, folk ceramics, textiles, etc. Besides, it will also have workshops to demonstrate traditional crafts such as pottery, dyeing and weaving, glass, etc. Located in Xiangshan campus, Folk Art Museum of China Academy of Art. The entire museum is designed by Kengo Kuma, with buildings in shape with mountain slopes that lead visitors to an open area, and with a combination of traditional Jiangnan grey tiles, it will give a historical memory to the surroundings.

6-1 Huyu Road, Hangzhou 310000 China

WeChat: sisan_hotel

Escape from the hustle and bustle of the city to this tranquil boutique hotel in the forest around Hangzhou West Lake scenic area with a total of 23 rooms. This is a designer heritage hotel; the original building was built in 1934 as a garden villa in the style of the Republic of China. The hotel has a restaurant with western food and local cuisine. And also have a bar, Tea room and small library for in house guests using.

Opening Hours:
Always open

1 Bapanling Road, Hangzhou, China, Hangzhou, China

+86 571 8796 6548

Jiexianglou at Seven Villas is widely regarded as among the top three Chinese restaurants in Hangzhou. Located on Bapanling Road in the hilly green western area of Hangzhou, this place takes you outside the hustle and bustle of urban life. The restaurant serves a wide range of elegant, refined Chinese cuisine dishes. And both the food and surroundings are worth the trip.

Opening Hours:
09.30 AM - 9.30 PM