Thousand Islands Lake, a two-hour drive from Hangzhou, is an artificial lake formed in 1959 that draws millions of visitors. Shao Quanhai / for China Daily

Spring bathes the banks of West Lake in brilliant colors. Provided to China Daily

Hangzhou's glorious past and splendid natural attractions make it one of China's must-see destinations. Yan Yiqi reports.

Think of China as a house. If Beijing is the decorated living room, where the family politely greets guests, then Hangzhou is the back garden where a family can sit back and relax. Heavenly Hangzhou's slow tempo and beautiful natural surroundings have made it the tourist toast of the nation.

In a new BBC documentary, Hangzhou was dubbed the "world of smiles, and the city of happiness".

Hangzhou is the capital city of Zhejiang province, and lies 180 km southwest of Shanghai. As a core city of the Yangtze River Delta, Hangzhou has been one of the most prosperous cities in China for more than 1,000 years.

Marco Polo, the 13th century Italian traveler and merchant, described Hangzhou as "beyond dispute the finest and the noblest city in the world".

Once the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), Hangzhou is now a modern and vibrant leisure center.

Luxury hotels, along with exquisite restaurants and exciting nightclubs, can be accessed all over this city.

Hangzhou is also a perfect combination of natural beauty and cultural relics.

The famous West Lake and the surrounding mountains are conveniently located near downtown.

Although Hangzhou has been through many phases of urbanization, its historical and cultural heritage remains. The ancient pagodas, temples and churches, provide wonderful destinations for visitors who favor a journey of historical discovery.

The following are five must-see spots.

1. West Lake

West Lake is a place people should not miss when visiting Hangzhou. The lake covers 6 sq km, and includes some of the city's most famous scenic places.

Although local tourism brochures talk about the "10 scenes of West Lake" and "10 new scenes", it is not necessary to make a checklist and walk back and forth to look for these scenic spots.

Just walk casually along Nanshan and Beishan roads and the causeways, take a ferryboat to the islands on the lake, or simply sit in a lakeside teahouse and enjoy the picturesque views and the longjing (dragon well) tea.

The lake is situated in the city center, with convenient public traffic access. The Hangzhou government also offers free public bikes for tourists to travel around the lake. The parks around the lake are all free to visit.