In October, 30,000 people participated in the Beijing International Marathon, with many more would-be participants missing the chance due to the limited participation quota. For those who missed out, there’s another chance, maybe even better:Hangzhou, one of the most beautiful tourism cities inChina, will hold an international marathon on November 3.

It’s one of the most beautiful marathon courses in the world, winding along the scenic area of the city’s famous West Lake, a vista so pristine it is printed on the back of every one yuan note. Embraced by hills, the West Lake covers an area of six square kilometers and includes many famous historical and cultural sites. The enchanting natural beauty of the lake wins the city a reputation as “Heaven on Earth.” 

The praise originally comes from a famous Chinese saying, “Above is Heaven, Below areSuzhouandHangzhou.”Hangzhouis the capital of Zhejiang Province and its political, economic and cultural center. Located on the lower reaches of the Qiantang River in southeastChina, the city is only 180 kilometers fromShanghai. 

Formerly named Qiantang,Hangzhouhas a history of more than 2,200 years. In the 13th century, the famous Italian explorer Marco Polo paid a visit toHangzhouand described it as one of the most magnificent cities in the world. Today, its splendor attracts more than 20 million tourists every year. 

To fully appreciate the landscape’s beauty, it is highly recommended to make a day trip outside of the city. Wuzhen, a typical southeastChinasmall town, ranks first among the six ancient towns south of the Yangtze River. The town’s history dates back 6,000 years and rewards visitors with ample historical sites and local legends.

Around the West Lake, there are also a number of national museums representing Chinese culture. The two most famous are the National Silk Museum and the Tea Museum. Hangzhou is also widely regarded as China’s “Capital of Tea,” with many tea-lovers praising West Lake’s Longjing green tea as the country’s best. 

Zhejiangcuisine is one of the Eight Great Cuisines of China, among whichHangzhouflavor is most representative. It emphasizes fresh, sweet flavors and makes good use of freshwater fish.