In terms of beauty,
Hangzhou is picturesque all year round. In spring and
summer, the trees turn green and the air is sweet.
In winter, the snow falls on the lake creating a picture-
postcard atmosphere about the city and in autumn, the
temperature is pleasant and balmy and the sky a delightful
color of amber.
In terms of comfort however, the heat can be unbearably
intense during the summer. Fortunately, the many
trees around the lake and in the hills do provide
cover from the worst of the sun. The average temperature
in the summer months is about 29 degrees centigrade.
Hangzhou's winters are never absolutely freezing
and even in January, which is the coldest month, the
average temperature is about 3 degrees centigrade.
However, many places are not equipped with heating
systems, making the winters much harder to bear as
compared to the northern cities like Beijing. Spring
and autumn are the most pleasant months and last for
about two or three months each.
There are often rainy showers during this period
but the Lake takes on an almost mystical appearance
in the fog and the respite from the heat the showers
bring is often welcome. |