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

The West Lake. [Photo provided to China Daily]

The decor blends Chinese and Western styles seamlessly, so after having devoured that Chinese food and French wine, admiring a painting of the moon over West Lake and one of the Eiffel Tower－both in the same suite－seems to be just as seamless an exercise.

Thirty minutes or so away by car from downtown Hangzhou is Lingyin Temple. It dates back 1,700 years and its traditional pagodas and Buddhist grottoes with religious rock carvings draw countless visitors. Many locals visit the temple as an act of religious veneration.

The Hall of 500 Arhats has that many bronze statues of Arhats, Buddhists who have attained Nirvana through rigorous discipline, in various appearances, expressions and postures.

Many visitors count out their age as they walk past the Arhat statues, starting from either Arhat, believing that when they reach the Arhat that corresponds with their age they will be given some idea of their destiny.

On Gushan Island in West Lake is another tourist drawcard, Xiling Seal Society, where you can see a lot of traditional Chinese architecture and, of course, seals, in many forms, and related pieces of art. The society, founded in 1904, serves as a forum for artists from home and abroad to discuss sealing arts.