Hangzhou Expat Life
Hangzhou Expat Life
Introduction to Hangzhou
Hangzhou, the provincial capital and deputy provincial city of Zhejiang Province, the largest city in Zhejiang Province, one of the central cities in the Yangtze River Delta, one of the central cities in East China, the financial center of the south wing of the Yangtze River Delta, Zhejiang’s politics, economy, culture, science, education, transportation, communication and financial center, an important economic, scientific and educational hub in East China, the core city of Hangzhou Metropolitan Economic Circle.
Hangzhou is one of the seven ancient capitals of China, the first batch of national historical and cultural cities and national key scenic tourist cities. During the Yuan Dynasty, the Italian traveler Marco Polo was regarded as “the most beautiful and luxurious city in the world.
Hangzhou is located in the southeast coast of China, northern Zhejiang Province, the northern bank of the lower reaches of the Qiantang River, and the southern end of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. It is a port visa city authorized by the Ministry of Public Security and the best tourist destination city in China determined by the National Tourism Administration. It has a reputation of “paradise on earth” since ancient times.
Expat Story in Hangzhou
Hangzhou in Expat’s Eyes
Brendan from Ireland
Theresa, Zhejiang University
Gigi from Russia
Seydi from France and Senegal
Roze from Canada
Gastone from Zambia
Deepen from Nepal
Paul from Korea
Tada Naoki from Japan
Rosemary from Canada
“Coming very early is part of my personality I like to be early for everything rather than late” – My name is Rosemary Cuevas and I’m the founder of the Jac and have been in the industry for over 30 years. I love my work I think my work is actually not work, it’s play. There are huge advantages to be a fashion brand in Hangzhou, we are centrally located within the raw materials and the supply chain, for the fashion industry right here in the art fashion town. I love my team they make everything possible; we come up with an idea we think we don’t have enough time, but in fact the team makes it happen. I think there’re many things to take inspiration from Hangzhou. The lotus flower is one of the most beautiful flowers in the world, and so I do draw on a lot of the color; I do also draw on the shapes of the different plants and so on.
Hangzhou is a very beautiful city. My partner is originally from Hangzhou we were very lucky to meet each other and bring Jac to China. I am not just a designer I’m also a patterned drafter; I create a pattern to fit the quality of the shape. I love to come and see the shops and customers are so important, so I come to say hello to the customers, I come to talk a little bit about the Jac brank and share that Jac is from Canada. I think when they see me, they really can understand that Jac brand is truly international.
I am a Canadian designer I am born a French mother, Croatian father; I married to a Spanish man, I traveled to Italy so elements from all over the world show up in our collection, and now I am here in China, and so absolutely the influences of the Chinese culture will affect myself and the way I think.
Water cities are my absolute favorite historic sites in Hangzhou and now I’ve discovered Tunxi, so I’m really happy I think the old towns represent history it represents a certain moment in time when things were very different. Old history is so beautiful I think every country should restore and maintain their history. Why do I love Hangzhou I must say first and foremost is the people; the people are very kind, and then the environment I can see daily and the living environment it’s just beautiful.
Hangzhou Expats
Expat Life in Hangzhou
Famous Restaurants Hangzhou Expats Must Try
1. Lou Wai Lou Restaurant 楼外楼
Phone： 86-571-87969023
Address： No.30 Gushan Road, Hangzhou
2. Zhi Wei Guan (Yanggongdi Causeway Branch) 知味观
Phone： 86-571-87970568
Address： No. 10-12 Yanggong Causeway, Hangzhou
3. Hatsune/隐泉日式餐厅
Address:100-2 Qingsha Guzhen Park, Lishui Road, Hangzhou 丽水路青莎古镇公园内100－2号
Tel: 0571-8802-7588
4. Hangzhou Restaurant 杭州酒家
Address:First-third Floors, Yan’an Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzho…
Phone:+86 571 87087123
5. Juying Noodle Restaurant 菊英面店
Address:No. 12,South Zhonghe Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou
6. Garbage Street 垃圾街
What you will find here is not garbage but a dazzling variety of tasty, dirt-cheap street food such as grilled squid, chicken kebab, ice cream and “Eight Treasure Porridge”.
Address: Yangjiadun Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou
Famous Sites Hangzhou Expats Must Go
1. West Lake 西湖
Address: West Lake, Hangzhou
The real attraction of West Lake, however, lies not on the surface but in its abundant wealth of legend, myth, and enigma accumulated over various dynasties.
2. Lingyin Temple 灵隐寺
Address:No.1, Fayun Alley, Lingyin Road, Hangzhou (杭州市灵隐路法云弄1号)
Lingyin Temple, also known as Temple of Soul’s Retreat, is the most celebrated place of interest around West Lake and one of the top ten Buddhist temples of China.
3. Meijiawu Tea Culture Village 梅家坞茶文化村
Address:No.1, Meiling South Road, Hangzhou (杭州市梅灵南路1号)
Besides its extraordinary tea and tea culture, Meijiawu Village is also renowned for its idyllic scene, which is seldom seen in an urbanized world.
4. Impression West Lake 印象西湖
Address: No.29, Yanggong Causeway, Hangzhou (杭州市杨公堤29号)
Impression West Lake is one of Chinese top live-action performances strongly featured by the local culture and unique charm of Hangzhou West Lake.
5. Xixi Wetland Park(西溪湿地): It stands out as Hangzhou’s only existing example of a water town, and is crowned as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unrestrained and rustic in appearance, Xixi is romantic in nature. The dying art of Dragon Racing can be appreciated here each May 5 (lunar calendar).
Bar and Café
1. Peu à Peu Café 渐渐咖啡
Address:244, Zhongshan Middle Road
Phone:+86 13958120868
2. Homewood Café 咖啡馆
Address:No.8, Jiefang East Road, Hangzhou (杭州市解放东路8号)
Phone:86-571-81103457
3. Momi Café 猫的天空之城
Address:Xixi Huajiantang, the Longshezui entrance of Xixi Wetlands, Wu…
Phone:+86 571 88733577
4. Green Peach 碧桃小馆
Address:No.232 of West Lake Avenue, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou City
Phone:+86 571 8778 0365
5. Starbucks, West Lake Branch 星巴克西湖店
Address:No.147, Nanshan Road, Hangzhou (杭州市南山路147号)
Phone:86-571-87027990
This is a very good and unique leisure site of Starbucks, on Nanshan Road, West Lake Scenic Area.
6. Soft Times Café 柔软时光
Address:No. 149-12, North Hushu Road, Hanghzhou( 杭州市湖墅北路149-12号)
Phone:86-571-88089695
Higher Education Institutions
According to the latest list of 2019 universities announced by the Ministry of Education, there are currently 46 colleges and universities in Hangzhou, including and 27 full time universities and colleges and 19 vocational colleges.
– Zhejiang University
– Zhejiang University of Technology
– Hangzhou Normal University
– Hangzhou Dianzi University
– Zhejiang Gongshang University
– Zhejiang Sci-Tech University
– Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics
– Zhejiang A&F University
– China Jiliang University
– Zhejiang International Studies University
– Communication University of Zhejiang
– Zhejiang University of Science and Technology
– Zhejiang Shuren University
– Zhejiang Chinese Medical University
– Zhejiang University of Water Resources and Electric Power
International Schools in Hangzhou
– Hangzhou International School
– BASIS International School Hangzhou
– Wellington College International Hangzhou
– Hangzhou Olive Foreign Languages School
– Wahaha International School
– RDFZ King’s College School Hangzhou
– Huili School Hangzhou
– The Yungu School
Useful Resources
Hangzhou-Report-English By Savills
Hangzhou Expats
