杭州——“人间天堂”
Hangzhou – Paradise on Earth
意大利著名旅行家马可"波罗曾这样叙述他印象中的杭州：“这是世界上最美妙迷人的城市，它使人觉得自己是在天堂。”
Marco Polo, the famous Italian traveler, was so impressed by the beauty of Hangzhou that he described it as “the most fascinating city in the world where one feels that one is in paradise.”
在中国，也流传着这样的话：“上有天堂，下有苏杭。”
In China, there has been a century-old popular saying praising the city: “In Heaven there is Paradise; on Earth there are Suzhou and Hangzhou.”
杭州的名气主要在于风景如画的西湖。
Hangzhou’s fame lies mainly in its picturesque West Lake.
西湖一年四季都美不胜收，宋代著名诗人苏东坡用“淡妆浓抹总相宜”的诗句来赞誉西湖。
As it is beautiful all the year round, the West Lake was compared by Su Dongpo, a celebrated poet of the Song Dynasty, to a beauty “who is always charming in either light or heavy makeup.”
在杭州，您可以饱览西湖的秀色，也不妨漫步街头闹市，品尝一下杭州的名菜名点，还可购上几样名特土产。
In Hangzhou, you will not only find the lake a perfect delight to the eye but also find it a joy to stroll along the busy streets, taste famous Hangzhou dishes and buy some special local products.
苏堤和白堤把西湖一分为二，仿佛两条绿色的缎带，飘逸于碧波之上。
The West Lake is bisected by the Su Causeway and the Bai Causeway which look like two green ribbons floating gracefully on the blue waters.
湖中心有三个小岛：阮公墩、湖心亭和小瀛洲。
In the center of the lake are three isles – Ruangong Isle, Mid-lake Pavilion and Lesser Yingzhou.
湖水泛着涟漪，四周山林茂密，点缀着楼台亭阁，是我国最有名的旅游景点之一。
With ripples on the water’s surface and thickly-wooded hills dotted by exquisite pavilions on its four sides, the West Lake is one of China’s best known scenic spots.
杭州人观看西湖有个说法：“晴湖不如雨湖，雨湖不如夜湖。”
Hangzhou residents have their way of enjoying the beauty of the West Lake. According to them, “The West Lake looks more delightful on rainy days than on clear days, but it is at its best after darkness has fallen”.
您在杭州，一定要去领略一下西湖的风韵，看看此说是否有道理。
When you are in Hangzhou, you ought to go and take in the charm of the lake for yourself to see if the comment is true.
杭州是中国著名的六大古都之一，已有二千多年的历史。
One of China’s six ancient capital cities, Hangzhou has a history of more than 2,000 years.
杭州不仅以自然美景闻名于世，而且有着传统文化的魅力。
It is famous not only for its natural beauty but also for its cultural traditions.
不仅有历代文人墨客的题咏，而且有美味佳肴和漂亮的工艺品。
Apart from a large number of poems and inscriptions in its praise left behind by scholars and men of letters through the centuries, it also boasts delicious food and pretty handicrafts.
杭州是中国的“丝绸之府”，丝绸产品品种繁多，其中以织锦尤为引人注目。
Hangzhou is the home of silk in China. Its silk products come in a great variety, among which its brocade is especially attractive.
杭州还生产黑纸扇和檀香扇。
Hangzhou also specializes in making black paper fans and sandalwood fans.
其他特产有西湖绸伞和中国十大名茶之一的西湖龙井。
Other specialties include silk parasols and West Lake Dragon Well Tea, which is among the top ten produced in China.
杭州有许多有名的餐馆，供应各邦菜点，还有一百多家旅馆酒店，为游客提供舒适的住宿。
In Hangzhou, there are many fine restaurants, serving a wide range of cuisines. Also, there are more than a hundred hotels in the city, able to provide tourists with comfortable accommodation.
一般来说，游览西湖及其周围景点花上两天时间较为合适。
Generally speaking, it is advisable for a tourist to have a two-day tour of the West Lake and scenic spots around it.
到杭州旅游，既令人愉快，又能得到文化享受。
As a tourist, you will find the trip to Hangzhou both pleasant and culturally rewarding.