杭州是一座有悠久历史的文化名城。“良渚文化”遗址即可证明，在4000多年前，这里已有人类繁衍生息。五代时的吴越国和南宋均在此建都，历时237年。现今的杭州，辖市内8个区，3个市和2个县。
      Hangzhou has long been known as a famous cultural city. The ancient Liangzhu Culture ruins were found in what is now Hangzhou. These archeological ruins date back to 2000 B.C. when our ancestors already lived and multiplied here. Hangzhou also served as an imperial capital for 237 years ---first as the capital of the State of Wuyue (907--978)during the Five Dynasties Period, and again as the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127--1279). Now Hangzhou is the capital of Zhejiang Province with eight urban districts, three country-level cities and two counties under its jurisdiction .

      杭州素以风景秀丽著称。700年前，意大利旅行家马可波罗曾称誉它是“世界上最美丽华贵之城”。境内西湖如明镜，千峰凝翠，洞壑幽深，风光绮丽。湖上有彩带似的苏堤、白堤飘落其上。三谭印月、湖心亭、阮公墩三个小岛鼎立湖中。岳庙、西冷印社、曲院风荷、平湖秋月、花港观鱼、柳浪闻莺等风景点，均在湖之周围。环湖耸立的山峰，千姿百态。山上多岩石，如玉乳洞、紫来洞、黄龙洞、紫云洞、石屋洞、水乐洞、烟霞洞等，洞内景色优美，且多古代石刻；山间多泉，以虎跑、龙井、玉泉为佳；九溪十八涧则以“叮叮咚咚水，弯弯曲曲路”著称。此外，还有灵隐寺、六和塔、宝菽塔、净慈寺、韬光、云栖等名胜古迹。市属3市2县境内，北有超山，西有天目山。溯钱塘江而上，有富阳鹳山，桐庐瑶琳仙境、桐君山、严子陵钓台，建德灵栖山洞，新安江“千岛湖”等名胜，形成一个以西湖为中心的广阔旅游区。
      Hangzhou has a reputation for its scenic beauty. About 700 years ago, Marco Polo, perhaps the most celebrated Italian traveler, called it "the finest and most magnificent city in the world". Hangzhou's West Lake is like a mirror, embellished all round with green hills and deep caves of enchanting beauty. The Su Causeway which runs from north to south and the Bai Causeway which runs from east to west look like two colored ribbons floating on the water. The three islets named "Three Pools Mirroring the Moon", "Mid-lake Pavilion" and "Ruangong Mound" stand in the lake, adding much charm to the scene. Famous beauty spots around West Lake include Yue Fei Temple, Xiling Seal-Engraving Society, Breeze-Ruffled Lotus at Quyuan Garden, Autumn Moon Over the Calm Lake, and several parks like "Viewing Fish at the Flower Pond" and "Orioles Singing in the Willows". Hills peaks tower around the lake and amaze the visitor with the ever-changing aspects of their beauty. Scattered in the adjacent hills are scenic caves and caverns, such as Jade-Milk Cave, Purple Cloud Cave, Stone House Cave, Water Music Cave and Rosy Cloud Cave, most of which have many stone sculptures carved on their walls. Also among the hills one finds springs everywhere, perhaps best represented by Tiger Spring, Dragon Well Spring and Jade Spring. The place called Nine Greeks and Eighteen Gullies is well known for its twisting paths and murmuring streams. Other scenic sites of historical interest include the Monastery of the Soul's Retreat, Pagoda of Six Harmonies, Baochu Pagoda, Monastery of Pure Benevolence, Taoguang Temple and a scenic path known as Bamboo-lined Path at Yunxi. The beauty spots in the vicinity of Hangzhou form a vast area for tourists with West Lake at its center. To the north of Hangzhou stands Chaoshan Hill, and to the west Mount Tianmu. Going up the Qiantang River one finds oneself at Stork Hill near the Terrace where Yan Ziling, a hermit of the Eastern Han Dynasty (25--220), loved to go fishing by the Fuchun River in Fuyang City. Nearby are the Yaolin Wonderland in Tonglu County, Tongjun Hill and the three Lingqi Caves in Jiande City, and finally the Thousand-Islet Lake at the source of the Xin'anjiang River.

      改革开放以来，杭州经济飞速发展，商业繁荣，金融保险业发达，国内生产总值连续十一年保持两位数增长，经济总量列全国省位城市第二。至2001年，杭州市人均国内生产总值达2.5万元，约合3000美元，城乡居民储蓄存款余额达2622亿元，市区居民可支配收入10896元，人均消费性支出8968元。杭州对外开放程度不断提高，至2001年底，杭州市外商总投资累计达115亿美元，投资领域涉及工业、农业、地产、城市基础建设等60个行业，世界500强有37家落户杭州，投资商遍及全世界各大洲76个国家和地区。
     Since the implementation of the policy of reform and opening up to the outside world, Hangzhou has witnessed rapid economic development. With highly developed financial and insurance sectors, Hangzhou is veritably bursting with commercial activities. Its GDP has maintained a two-digit growth rate for eleven years straight and its aggregate economic strength now stands second among China's provincial capitals. In 2001, the city's per capita GDP reached 25,000 yuan (about US 3,000). Meanwhile, the urban and rural deposits in savings accounts have reached 262.2 billion yuan. The urban residents have a disposable income of 10,896 yuan and each of them spends 8,968 yuan a year. Hangzhou has opened its door to wider and wider to the outside world. By the end of 2001, foreign business people had made a total investment of US 11.5 billion in 60 economic fields, including industry, agriculture, real estate and urban infrastructure development. Thirty-seven of the world's 500 top enterprises have made investment in Hangzhou. Foreign business people come from 76 countries and regions throughout the world.