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Leeds - Hangzhou partnership

Hangzhou city
Hangzhou city
Dragon boat racing in Hangzhou
Dragon boat racing in Hangzhou
Storks in Hangzhou West Lake
Storks in Hangzhou West Lake

Leeds established a sister city relationship with the Chinese city of Hangzhou in 1988. Relationships between the cities were put on ice in 1989 and, like many other UK-China links, were revived in 1996. A memorandum of understanding between the two cities was signed in 2000.

The famous Italian traveller Marco Polo praised Hangzhou as the most beautiful city in the world. In the twenty-first century, the city's position near the West Lake and the breathtaking local scenery ensure its continuing reputation as 'Paradise on Earth'.

The city is one of China's top tourist attractions, enticing over 17 million visitors per year. Many tourists visit the West Lake, which has gardens, statues and temples along the shore and on the four islands in the lake. The stunning scenery has also made it a draw over the centuries for literary figures and painters.

One of the seven ancient capital cities of China and the start of the famous silk road, the city is situated 122 miles (195km) south of Shanghai along the banks of the Qiantang River in China's southeast coastal area. It is close to the Yellow Mountains, or Huangshan, and the Thousand Islet Lake.

From its beginnings as a small fishing village, Hangzhou became a trading centre during the sixth century AD. It experienced a rapid expansion through the silk and tea trade and became capital of China in the twelfth century during the Song dynasty. It was one of the largest cities in the world by the time Marco Polo arrived there in 1271 and now has a population of 6 million.

5,670 miles (9,125km) from Leeds, Hangzhou is the provincial capital and the centre of politics, economy, culture and tourism of Zhejiang province. The city's historic base as a centre for silk and green tea production has expanded and it is now a major centre for a range of industries with the eighth highest GDP in China.

Home to the West Lake trade fair grounds, Hangzhou is well established as an international exhibition centre. As early as 1929, the city hosted China's first exposition, which ran for 137 days and was considered on a par with similar events being held in Chicago, Paris and Philadelphia.

 


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