Visit Hangzhou - Mike's Road Trip

Impression West Lake show in Hangzhou

Mike Shubic October 30th, 2015 2 Comments

While I was in Hangzhou, China I had an opportunity to see and do a lot of extraordinary things, but without question, one of the highlights was seeing Impression West Lake. This aquatic tableau was one of the most sensational live performances I’ve ever seen, and that’s saying a lot...

The Essence of Tea in Hangzhou

Mike Shubic October 29th, 2015 Comments Off

If you look just beyond the majestic West Lake in Hangzhou, China, you'll see a mountainous silhouette casting a shadow on the horizon....this is where the famed Longjing Tea (aka Dragon Well) is grown. Longjing Tea is the best-of-the-best when it comes to green tea, this is due in part...

Hangzhou Global Tour: Day six

Mike Shubic July 29th, 2015 Comments Off

Silk has a deep history in China that dates back thousands of years. The alluring fabric is woven into the lives of the people of Hangzhou (both literally and figuratively). From the cultivation, processing to its use in so many applications, silk is highly coveted and valued. To illustrate this...

Hangzhou Global Tour: Day three

Mike Shubic July 25th, 2015 Comments Off

My third day in Hangzhou started off with a tour of a popular market where many merchants sell handcrafted items. One highlight included two gentleman pounding sesame seeds with large wooden mallets while humming a rhythmic tune in order to stay in sync with one another. The malleable form was...

Hangzhou Global Tour: Day two

Mike Shubic July 24th, 2015 Comments Off

It was a whirlwind of a second day in Hangzhou that started with a steep and windy drive to the top of Yuhuang Mountain—there we visited a Taoist Temple and met with a very friendly monk who was eager to show us around and answer our deluge of questions. Our...