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0Welcome back! This episode kicks off our Hangzhou Culture & Travel series – where we‘ll explore more fun topics about Hangzhou and Chinese cities. Perfect for HSK 3‑5 learners who want to learn about Chinese culture while improving their listening skills.
If you’re interested in an intensive class in Hangzhou, a summer camp in Hangzhou, or HSK preparation in Hangzhou, Chinese Surfing is right here in Hangzhou — welcome to learn Chinese while exploring these world heritage sites!
In this episode, host Daisy takes you on a quick tour of Hangzhou‘s three “world-class business cards”:
Liangzhu Ancient City – a 5,000‑year‑old civilization that proves China’s 5,000‑year history
West Lake – the “textbook” of Chinese landscape aesthetics and the philosophy of “Harmony Between Heaven and Humanity”
The Grand Canal – a 2,500‑year‑old “water highway” that connected northern and southern China
🎧 Timestamps & Key Takeaways
– Opening Question
Daisy asks: Have you ever been to a city with a UNESCO World Heritage Site? Do you know which Chinese city has three of them?
– Liangzhu Ancient City Ruins
Located in Yuhang District, north of Hangzhou
Dating back 5,300 to 4,300 years
Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2019
Features a massive ancient city, a complex water conservancy system, rice farming, and exquisite jade artifacts
Key evidence for “5,000 years of Chinese civilization”
📖 Keywords: 良渚古城遗址 (Liángzhǔ Gǔchéng Yízhǐ), 水利系统 (shuǐlì xìtǒng), 玉器 (yùqì）
– West Lake Cultural Landscape
Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2011
Described as an outstanding example of a cultural landscape
Embodies the Chinese philosophy of “Harmony Between Heaven and Humanity” (天人合一)
Known for its poetic scenery, temples, pagodas, and gardens
📖 Keywords: 西湖 (Xīhú), 天人合一 (tiān rén hé yī), 哲学(zhéxué), 文人墨客 (wénrén mòkè)
– The Grand Canal (Hangzhou Section)
Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2014
Total length: approximately 1,800 kilometers — the longest and oldest man‑made canal in the world
First excavated 2,500 years ago; fully connected during the Sui Dynasty
Functioned like an ancient “highway” — transporting grain, silk, and tea from the south to the north
Gongchen Bridge (拱宸桥) — the southernmost landmark of the Grand Canal in Hangzhou
📖 Keywords: 大运河 (Dà Yùnhé), 拱宸桥 (Gǒngchén Qiáo), 隋朝 (Suí cháo)
– Recap & Listener Interaction
Three UNESCO sites in one city: Liangzhu, West Lake, and the Grand Canal
Daisy asks: If you were to introduce your city to a foreign friend, which place would you choose as its “world-class business card”?
This episode kicks off the new Hangzhou Culture & Travel series — future topics will cover food, hidden spots, dialects, and more!
📖 Useful Vocabulary from this episode (by HSK Level)
HSK 3
- 世界 (shìjiè) – world
- 历史 (lìshǐ) – history
- 城市 (chéngshì) – city
HSK 4
- 遗产 (yíchǎn) – heritage
- 文化 (wénhuà) – culture
- 遗址 (yízhǐ) – ruins / site
HSK 5
- 文明 (wénmíng) – civilization
- 水利 (shuǐlì) – water conservancy
- 哲学 (zhéxué) – philosophy
HSK 6
- 天人合一 (tiān rén hé yī) – harmony between heaven and humanity
- 文人墨客 (wénrén mòkè) – literati and artists
HSK 6+
- 良渚古城遗址 (Liángzhǔ Gǔchéng Yízhǐ) – Liangzhu Ancient City Ruins
- 拱宸桥 (Gǒngchén Qiáo) – Gongchen Bridge
💬 Join the Conversation
Have you ever been to a city with a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
If you were to introduce your city to a foreign friend, which place would you choose as its “world-class business card”?
What topics about Hangzhou or Chinese cities would you like to hear next? Food? Dialects? History? Fun stories about foreigner life in China?
Leave a comment on your podcast platform or share your thoughts in your Chinese learning group!
📩 Learn Chinese with Chinese Surfing
Interested in intensive class in Hangzhou, summer camp in Hangzhou, or HSK preparation in Hangzhou? Chinese Surfing is right here in Hangzhou — learn Chinese while exploring these world heritage sites!
📧 Email: info@chinese-surfing.com
💬 WeChat: Chinesesurfing2
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📜 Want the full PDF script of this episode?
📧 Email: daisy@chinese-surfing.com
