In water, lights and stone, cities show off their charms

The Lingyin Temple, in Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang province, is a sacred place for Buddhists. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Think of her as a young elegant lady and him as an older, intellectual gentleman. The woman in question is Hangzhou, in Zhejiang province, and the man is Nanjing, in Jiangsu.

Hangzhou's feminine charm comes by dint of its deep-rooted culture and romantic legends; Nanjing's stately bearing comes from its having once been China's political center.

However, the two have many common traits, too. For one thing, both are located south of the Yangtze River and both draw hundreds of thousands of visitors every year because of their cultural heritage, natural beauty and cuisine, and there are few things more pleasant than spending a couple of days in either－or better still, both－of the two ancient capitals taking in the sights.

In Hangzhou, the ideal place to use as a staging post for such sightseeing is the Sofitel Hangzhou West Lake, just a few minutes' walk from the renowned lake. I enjoyed a fantastic bird's-eye view of the lake from the hotel's terrace while sipping a cocktail.

The hotel, almost smack in the middle of the CBD, is a stroll away from shopping areas and scenic spots such as Yuewang Temple. If you prefer getting around on two wheels rather than two feet, rental bike stations are ubiquitous.

Recently the hotel has been extensively refurbished and includes an indoor swimming pool, a gym and spa and two restaurants serving Hangzhou and international cuisine and French wines.