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Chinese tourists consider the former capital of Hangzhou one of the country’s finest destinations, thanks largely to the picturesque expanse of West Lake, a scene immortalized over the centuries by countless Chinese artists.

While the gentle rolling scenery around Hangzhou is less dramatic than that elsewhere, the relaxed atmosphere and greenery of the city makes a welcome change from many more famous destinations.

After the frantic bustle of Shanghai or Beijing, this is the perfect place to hire a bike and ride around the lake and into the nearby hills. You can also visit the local tea plantations, where the produce is of such famously high quality that it is routinely presented to visiting heads of state, including Queen Elizabeth.