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1st Annual IEP Study Tour to China

Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province

May 25 - July 7, 2006

Hangzhou is the capital of Zhejiang Province located in southeast China just 115 miles southwest of Shanghai. Considered by the Chinese to be a small city, it has a population of around 7 million! It lies at the southern end of the Grand Canal, which was constructed beginning in the 5 th century B.C. and which links the city with Beijing. The meshing of old and new can truly be seen throughout the city. Hangzhou has a very modern downtown with new high-rise, luxury apartment buildings going up everywhere you look, but there are still areas that look like “old China.” The gap between rich and poor is expansive and growing. Although Hangzhou is one of the wealthiest cities in China, the median income is still only about $100 (or 800 RMB) per month.

         Hangzhou is considered by the Chinese to be “heaven on earth.” There is a Chinese saying stating, “In heaven there is paradise. On earth there are Hangzhou and Suzhou.” Its West Lake ( Xihu ) is a popular destination of tourists and locals alike. When the weather is nice, it seems everyone in the city is at Xihu . In spring the willow trees, plum trees and flowers surrounding the lake are in bloom. Many people take a picnic and spend the day in one of the many parks around the lake. With the hills to the south and west of the lake and the city to the north and east, it is a very beautiful place to stroll and relax.

The city itself is a great place to live with a lot to offer, and it has won an International Award for Liveable Communities. There is a nice downtown with many shops, restaurants, and tea houses. Hefang Street is an old Chinese street with many touristy shops and tasty snacks. Nanshan Road, which runs along the east side of Xihu has many bars and some clubs that are popular with foreigners and some older students. There are many hiking trails in the hills near West Lake, including some you can access from the Zhejiang University campus.

Language and Culture Course at Zhejiang University

May 29-July 7, 2006

For a detailed course schedule, click here.

Saturday, May 27, 2006

Cross-cultural Student Outing:  Traditional Hangzhou-style lunch with students from Zhejiang University City College followed by a visit to Lingyin Temple

Lingyin Temple is one of the most famous Buddhist temples in China, originally built around 317 AD.  The existing structures date back to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).  Also at the site is the "Peak that Flew from Afar" containing many Buddhist caves and carvings.

URI and ZUCC students at the entrance

to the Lingyin Temple tourist site

Sunday, June 4, 2006

Qing Teng Tea House

URI students and IEP Coordinator Erin Papa were joined by URI Professor Tim George for an evening of tea sampling and traditional Chinese snacks at one of the largest tea houses in Hangzhou.

Sunday, June 11, 2006

Leifeng Pagoda

Leifeng Pagoda stands on the northern shore of West Lake and was originally constructed in 975 A.D. to celebrate the birth of a son to Qian Hongchu, the King of Wuyue Kingdom.  After surviving invasions and fires over many years, it finally collapsed in the early 20th Century.   In the early 21st century ancient Buddhist artifacts were uncovered at the site, and shortly after Leifeng Pagoda was rebuilt. 

June 16-18, 2006

Shanghai

The group travelled to Shanghai for a weekend of sightseeing.  Some popular spots visited were the Bund (Haitan) overlooking the Pudong-section of the city on the eastern shore of the Huangpu River, Nanshan Road, Yu Yuan Gardens, the Jade Buddha Temple, and the Shanghai Museum.

    Yu Yuan Gardens by night

Friday, June 30, 2006

Liang Zhu (Butterfly Lovers) Ballet at Hangzhou Grand Theatre

Friday, July 7, 2006

Farewell Banquet hosted by Zhejiang University