In a few days I'll be boarding a plane for a somewhat brief trip to Hangzhou, China so that I can speak at an Internet Developer Conference being put on by the folks at Alibaba (who also operates Yahoo! China).
The travel is, of course, a bit mind bending because of the number of time zones I'll cross. I'm leaving San Francisco on Wednesday afternoon and arriving in China late on Thursday night. But I make it up on the way back by returning a mere hour or so later than I'm scheduled to depart next Tuesday.
Anyway, I figure that Friday is going to be spent getting my bearings, adjusting to the local time zone, and figuring things out for the conference. I'm at the conference on Saturday and Sunday (I assume). But I'm not flying back until Tuesday, so Monday may have some free time unless the locals have stuff planned for me.
So, if I was to have the better part of a day free, what would you recommend I do and see in Hangzhou? Take an English speaking tour (which one)? Simply wander around and take pictures? Find a bus ride to something nearby that I'd otherwise never see?
This will be my first time to China but probably not my last. Everything I've heard makes me think I'll want to go back--much like Japan, where I've been three times so far.
Anyway, if you happen to be in the neighborhood, I'm apparently staying at the Hyatt Regency. We could meet up... or something. As far as I know, my schedule is kind of flexible. I won't have a phone but should have access to the Internet tubes.
Posted by jzawodn at May 13, 2007 08:34 PM
Apparently, Hangzhou is a big touristy-type area, with lots of stuff to do and see. I found this page detailing one or two things: http://www.orientaltravel.com/China/Hangzhou.htm
Granted, it's from a travel agency website, but that might give you a good start from which to find stuff to do. Have a great trip!
When I visited HangZhou, I've enjoyed climbing to the old stone tower by the HangZhou lake on the mountain. It is a tower symbolizing the capital status of HangZhou centuries ago. On the top of the mountain you can also see the lake and the city on a clear day. The lake is also beautiful and nice to walk around.
Hyatt Regency is right beside the West Lake. You may go out and take a walk around the lake (with your camera, of course), and I'm definitely sure that you'll enjoy it.
Still not sure of my conference pass, but if I do make it, I'll try to meet your there.
Anyway, if you do need a not-so-good-english-speaking tour, you know how to reach me ;-)
Hangzhou is nice enough for a few days, but since you probably entering the country through Shanghai, why don't you spend part of the time here too?
Anyway, a cracy schedule.
re. mobile phone, if you think you might need to arrange a meet with locals, and / or are planning on going back to China anytime soon, you can get pay as you go sims from street vendors.
Sounds crazy, but as long as you have an unlocked tri-band gsm it should work just fine. They'll probably have a sim with what the locals consider as an unlucky number which they'll let you have for peanuts after you bargain a little.
Enjoy your time in China
I am buddy of Scott's he told me to look you up. There is a great website here and free magazine some friends do call More, website www.morehangzhou.com.
You should find the magazine in the lobby of the Hyatt. I am pretty free these days in Hangzhou, so if you need some help get my number from Scott and give me a call while you are here.
Tristan:
Unfortunately, I don't own a GSM phone. I've been tempted to buy an unlocked GSM phone for a few years, but I just don't travel internationally quite often enough to make it worthwhile.
Trade in Wikipedia for http://wikitravel.org/en/Hangzhou for some ideas. You'll want to wean yourself from Wikipedia anyway: it's blocked in Mainland China on most connections.
Jeremy,
I spent a few days in Hangzhou this summer and had an excellent time, speaking only enough Chinese to order beer, tea and explain that I don't speak the language.
I would just tell you to take a leisurely walk around West Lake, and try to hail a cab, or take a walk to the tea fields that make Hangzhou famous. There is an area you can find on any tourist map that designates where the tea fields are. Just go there, and in walking around, you will be offered tea by many of the native farmers, from their pleasant abodes on the green hillsides. They will invite you to drink tea with them (which you of course pay for) and you will also be able to purchase their (Longjing) green tea. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longjing_tea )
If you have a whole day, you can easily make a nice walk around the lake and see the tea fields.
I echo what Steven said: West Lake and the tea fields should be enough. The West Lake Museum is small but well done.
hi Jeremy!
I'm a guy at Alibaba in hangzhou,China. Welcome to Hangzhou! We long to your presentation. See you )
A question: How to pronounce your name "Zawodny"?
Thank you.
Go for a run around the lake - it's around 10 (may be more!) or so miles. You'll enjoy the view and see all the sights - also very good for getting over your jet lag. Plus, when I did this last year the locals found it a vert funny sight watching a westerner exercising. I'd then suggest you go to the Temple on the hill (cycling up to it is great - and now you'll be just like a local and get to chat to some of them flying kites, etc). At the end of the day take one of the many lake tours and enjoy the sunset. Btw, get out o the Hyatt for your food - plenty to enjoy!!
Enjoy.
pls can u please use a sample case study as an example and write a sample presentaion using the case study so we can learn how to draft a verbal presentation.thank you.
