Another glorious weather day ! Early this am, we set off to Hu Pao Spring. We arrived there close to 8.45am, way ahead of those tourist buses etc. Thus the whole experience was very refreshing, minus the crowd! We saw locals pushing trolleys with empty huge containers to be filled with the spring water! All we have is 2 small mineral bottles. :))
Local senior citizens get to enter the park for free..and that explains why we mainly see old folks in the park. :) These old folks come to the park everyday just to collect the spring water to make their Long Jing Tea, and of coz some of them actually bring these spring water back to the shop, make tea and sell 'em at their own teahouse.
The path towards the spring. Greeneries, birds chirping, gentle breeze, kisses from the morning sun...refreshing for the soul and wakes up the senses. Tranquil !
Take a deep breath and the smell of nature and its pureness just fill our senses..
Maybe water from the spring?..Dunno..
LOL! This picture is a little swirlish..coz I almost fell when taking this photo. Blame it on the wet ground! This is the place where spring water just flow freely out from that rock there. Someone has stuck a piece of rubber pipe there to make spring water collection easier. Look at those containers that the locals brought with them. Each person will bring at least 2-3 of such containers. As they queue and waited for their turn, they chatted with each other and it seems like they know each other pretty well! An old uncle was kind enough to let me fill my 2 tiny water bottles before his turn. :))
According to locals, this is a very famous spring and its water were used to serve china emperors in olden days. The following wall sign says that this spring is ranked 3rd in the world? At least that is what I think it meant.
After the wonderful morning walk, we proceed to the Silk Museum. Not an impressive place, unless you are a silk fanatic. Absolutely nothing much to see and we finished up the whole place within like half an hour? Only consolation - free entry. :)
I put this place on our itinerary as I thought we can see real silk worms, cocoons etc. Nah..just displays.
Don't get excited...it's just display, not live!
The lady was actually weaving when we were there..the process is intriguing indeed. All limbs need to be perfectly co-ordinated.
As usual, souvenir shops with cut throat prices..
After our short tour of the Silk Museum, off we go to our next destination - Meijiawu 梅家坞. And again, this is why I say having a driver in Hangzhou will make more sense You can be traveling north, south, east or west not having to worry about flagging for a taxi. Places of interests are all rather close by, but it is the hassle of getting public transport.
Meijiawu is a famouse tea plantation village and most city dwellers normally go there for a lazy day of fun. Have lunch at one of those villager's house, play cards and majong at those provided tables, or just sit and laze around, cracking peanuts and sunflower seeds. You see much greenery and forgot that you are actually in a city.
Be warned though - the farmer's meal 农家菜 are not exactly very very cheap as you would have thought since it's in the village. They charge like city prices. But taste good. Our few simple dishes lunch costs SGD80 plus! The fish was barely edible as it was full of tiny bones...but still, I guess we are paying for the experience. All eatery owners there probably know that most diners / tourists will only visit there likely just 1 time for the experience...so fleece fleece fleece... LOL!
Almost every house serves farmer's meal...just have to pick your choice.
We chose the this place by the canal for our lunch...
Took a peep inside the house while on my way to the loo....
Utensils are all hygienically wrapped. But as to whether it is hygienically washed and sanitized? No clue and no eye see.
Street scenes...
We did not laze around like other diners, coz we want to ....SHOP ! Old dad wana buy silk pyjamas so, off we go to the Silk Market. By the way, there is also a tea museum at Meijiawu, just that mesuem is not our cuppa tea, so we gave it a miss. Hate to get hassled to buy tea after demo.
Silk Market. It is a straight one road..all selling mainly silk stuff. Prices are exhorbitantly high...BARGAIN ! BARGAIN and BARGAIN !
Just to give you an idea, my dad wanted to buy a set of silk pyjamas, price quoted..RMB220. We bargained to RMB90 ! And for my daughter, she wanted some cute pyjamas, price quoted, RMB150 and I bargained to RMB90 for 2 sets. This is just to give you an idea of how far u can bargain. My own guideline is always to cut their prices by 3/4, and slowly move up. If your offer is not accepted by the shop owner, just walked away. Likely they will call you back It works for me everytime. However, there was once or twice when they did not call me back. That indicates to me that the price I offered is probably way too low. What I did was walk around and end up "accidentally" at the shop again. This time I tell the owner I will raise offer a little..if want come..dun want, fine. :)) This tactic works fine too, in fact better coz u already have an idea of their bottom line asking price.
NOTE : I hearsay (even from the driver) that those silk items that are being sold here are either inferior goods or imitation. So if you are asked to pay a high price for an item....think twice, no matter how genuine it looks. Authenticity is always in question.
Silk Market is located at this street..
Overall shopping at Silk Market is interesting and a test of one's bargaining skills. Btw, there are rather decent pulic toilets along this street...not to worry in times of emergency calls!
Last shopping dash before our return trip to Shanghai tomorrow..back to He Fang Street again. My suggestion is to go here around 3-4pm, walk the streets during day time and stay till it turns dark, when you will experience a different atmosphere with all shops brightly litted up.
The following 3 photos are not part of He Fang Street. It is a afternoon market at the entrance to He Fang Street. Not very interesting stalls...so we just took a quick walk around.
I laughed when I saw this..does that mean I must buy it or else if I move, I will be shot? :P
Walked into He Fang Street...
This is a medicine hall, where people go and buy their herbs, medicine or consult a physician. It totally reminds me of Huang Fei Hong and his medical hall ! No joke !
Another medicine hall..
This restaurant was recommended as it has been around for a long time and food served here were once upon a time presented to emperors..
Our dinner meal was so-so. I don't find it exceptional delicious or taste to die for. Probably its glorious days are over...it is just doing business based on it's established brand..not food quality..
Just further down the street, we saw this shop selling all dishes mutton. I have seen it appeared on our local TV before...but that day when we were there, no cusotmers was seen...
At the end of He Fang Street, there is a food street. Many variety of local delights are sold here. Good venue for dinner or quick bite and rest.
Somewhere in the middle of He Fang Street, you can see another connecting street that leads you to another shopping street. Not as interesting as He Fang Street, but still, can take a walk. Rather nice things to see. We went into one of the side shop and bought some Long Jing tea leaves.
If you are not sure where this Southern Song Street is located, just ask any shop owners, they will be able to point it out to you. Incidentally IBIS hotel is also located here at this street!
Our legs were near to breaking point after spending almost 5 hours at He Fang Street, inlcuding dinner time! Going back to the hotel of coz will be the next natural choice. Our driver joked with us and say no matter where he bring us to, we will always end up with big and small packets...lol!
Back to hotel, dump down shopping bags and out we went again! For dessrts at this shop just outside of the hotel. Divine!
Almond tea..
Black sesame paste..
Cold Double boiled milk with caramel, walnuts and almond ( BEST! Spoon licking good)
After a burping good dessert time, we went for a stroll along west lake.
Finally, this time really really back to hotel and not coming out to roam the streets. 11pm !
Got to pack up and prepare for return trip to Shanghai tomorrow... We will miss Hangzhou !
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