Hangzhou - including the 2009 Solar Eclipse by Mark Sukhija

Total Solar Eclipse during the partial phases

Our time in Hangzhou was short at two days - one of which was taken for the eclipse. That unfortunately, didn't give us too much time in Hangzhou itself - but we left with a very positive impression of the city. The area around the West Lake is the greenest we've seen in a Chinese city and something to be encouraged.

The longest total solar eclipse until 2132 was the primary and overriding reason for us to be in Hangzhou at this time. Sadly it was a total cloud out. With totality of 5 minutes 40 seconds at Hangzhou, this was a real disappointment. And one we could do nothing about except hope and pray. was a cloud-out at the Qiantang River Tidal Bore viewing area.

A hall and gardens in at Lingyin Buddhist Monastry

The Tidal Bore, 85 minutes after the end of the eclipse, provided the only relief on eclipse day. And it's an impressive sight. As the tide comes in, a one-meter wall of water spanning over 2 kilometers at our location. A white line on the horizon, some miles away, is followed by a wall of sound, at first and low rumbling, is followed by a vast bulk of water running upstream.

Ships moored along the leafy edges of the West Lake

The Buddhist Lingyin Monastry is the oldest monastry in southern China and dates from 326. So far it's been rebuilt 16 times as a result of natural disasters and wars and such likes. The entrance to the Lingyin monastry, through the Ling Yin Fei Lai Feng scenic area, takes you through some beautiful parkland with statues and pagodas which have been left here by pilgrims over the centuries. Some have been carved into or left in niches in cliff faces.

The West Lake is reputed to be the most beautiful Lake in China. It's not difficult to see why. So an afternoon cruise on the West Lake is a fine, and hot, way to spend your afternoon. An assortment of pagodas, skylines, distant mountains and park land await for your eyes to feast upon. Of course, you could just have been in Switzerland - but hotter, humider and with Chinese buildings. Marvellous.

Further reading