Haanism

We stayed at the West Lake Youth Hostel (杭州过客青年旅舍) during our time in Hangzhou (杭州), which was early August 2007. It is strategically located adjacent to the famous West Lake (西湖) and Lei Feng Pagoda (雷峰塔). Hence, we had to make the reservation early.

The scenic West Lake.

From the station, we took the bus no.Y7 to the Jingci Temple (净寺站), then walked back for about 80 meters after getting down from the bus. There is no obvious signboard of the youth hostel near the main road. Just remember to cross a road from the bus station you got off. Asking any of the police around the area will point you to the right direction too.


Address:
No.62-3，Nanshan Lu, Hangzhou
杭州市南山路62-3号 (西子宾馆对面)

Phone: 86-571-87027027

We chose a 4-person dorm (with attached bathroom) and and paid $50 each (one night).

Screenshot from sinohotel.com. The common use of word should be "double" for a room with a double bed, "twin" for a room with two single beds. Both types are for 2 persons.

Personally, I'd say the two-storey old-fashioned house is quite a good place to stay, and it does comply with international standard. It provides the common amenities, such as 24-hr front desk (if it's too early, the person-in-charge might be sleeping and you need to wake him/her up), daily room service, tour/sightseeing assistance, laundromat, restaurant on site...

newspapers/magazines...

bicycle rental...

bar/lounge...

Internet access ($4 per hour)...

garden...

daily-changed linen etc.

However, I'd say the meals there are kinda dear. Hence, we went to Carrefour (嘉乐福) to taste the noodles recommended in backpacker's guide. We used to "crazy for" Carrefour too while in Shanghai. We walked a long way there, with the intention to buy water (all sorts - mineral water, juice, soft drink), then carried the heavy stuff back to Utels.

We never know we love Carrefour so much till that second!!

900 bowls of noodle here? (direct translation of the shop's name)

While in Carrefour, near the fruits section, I saw a woman "tearing" a plastic bag and holding up her daughter's dress. I was wondering what was she gonna do. Further, she placed the plastic bag at the daughter's buttocks. Immediately I knew, her small little girl was going to do the "toilet stuff" near the Carrefour's fruits section.

Gosh, WTH is that. So many people were at that area. Was it so hard to get to the washroom, or Carrefour doesn't even have ONE?

I didn't have the courage to continue watching, or to find out they were going to have a "small/big" project at the public area. But I heard a sound in my mind saying, I can't really stand these bloody Chinese. Yet, I'm a Chinese too, just that I'm a Malaysian Chinese.

Forget about the disgusting part, we still shopped happily. I always feel supermarket is the best place for us to see/know the locals. The Carrefour in Hangzhou sells a lot of food, especially the HK style Dim Sum! We were attracted to so many types of them, thus buying various kinds, a little bit of each.

These are our favorite brands during our time in China.

Interesting Chinese name for the specially promoted item - lightning item!

On the next day after our arrival, the morning unexpected rain and the late public transport (bus) wiped away our mood and spoiled our plan to other places. Therefore, we just toured around West Lake and the nearby attractions. It was still extremely hot and crowded everywhere.

The West Lake is much bigger than we thought. It requires huge amount of stamina to walk round the entire lake. Firstly we walked (stopped frequently to eat and drink), then we decided to cycle.

Give you a tip to rent a bicycle. After asking the price, pretend that you are not interested due to the quoted price (actually it's quite standard everywhere). You can then easily get a 50% discount. For me, the bicycle session was much better than the walking session.

The West Lake is too big. Looking at the tourist map, you might expect something nice at somewhere after a long walk. However, you might be disappointed, because it's just a tombstone (e.g. at the Spring Dawn at Su Causeway, 苏堤春晓).

Back to the West lake Youth Hotel. After the first night, when we woke up in the next morning, there were 2 people (1 guy, 1 girl) sleeping at the opposite double-decker. Feng was slightly scared, when she saw them in the middle of night. I've been used to mixed dorm, and could recognize two of them were previously seen near the reception area.

Before the male Italian moved to another room, I got a chance to have some conversations with him. He said he was learning Chinese, and wished to work in China, hence taking opportunity to backpack around China, before he makes any decision to try his luck.

I asked him, which is the worst place in China from his point of view? He answered, it's Beijing. He originally wanted to stay there for 10 days, but later couldn't wait to buy a ticket and fly off immediately. He also shared with me how he was conned by the Chinese girls asking him to go for Kungfu Tea, and how he escaped from paying up to thousands for the tea etc. I also got a chance to look at the textbook he carried around to learn Chinese.

Besides, I also talked to the lady cleaner who tidied up our room. She looks quiet but was very willing to share with me about her life in China. I was quite talkative that day (I don't know why). At night, we went to bed early. Two Korean guys moved in and at the same time my mobile phone started to act crazy. So we didn't actually have much interaction.

That was my last night in China. We flew to Shenzhen and proceeded to Hong Kong on the next day.