Mandarin readings / Beginner 2 / Travel Experiences

Weekend in Hangzhou

杭州的周末

这个 周末 他 和 朋友 去 杭州 旅游。早上 他们 坐 火车 到 城市，行李 不 多，心情 很 轻松。到了 西湖 边，太阳 温暖，风 很 软，水面 像 镜子 一样 平静。他们 先 沿着 湖边 散步，看 花 和 树，看 小船 慢慢 地 走。然后 他们 坐 船 到 湖 中间，拍 照片，听 导游 讲 故事。中午 他们 去 龙井 村 喝 茶，空气 有 茶香，山坡 上 是 茶园。一位 阿姨 演示 怎么 泡 茶，还 教 他们 先 用 热 水 温 杯。下午 他们 走 到 河坊街，街上 人 多 但是 秩序 不乱。小店 卖 纪念品 扇子 明信片 和 手工 糖。他们 品尝 葱油饼 豆腐花 和 桂花 糖藕，味道 香甜。晚上 他们 在 小 饭馆 吃 晚饭，有 西湖醋鱼 和 东坡肉。他 觉得 菜 有点 甜，朋友 觉得 刚好。饭后 他们 沿着 湖边 走，灯光 倒 在 水里，风景 很 美。第二天 他们 去 灵隐寺，早上 的 山路 清静，鸟 在 树上 唱歌。寺里 的 香味 很 淡，大家 说话 都 很 轻。他们 不 拍照 太 多，只是 安静 地 看 佛像 和 石刻。中午 他们 买 了 一些 小 礼物，给 家人 和 同事。最后 他们 坐 公交 去 火车站，带着 满满 的 笑容 回 家。他 说 这次 周末 简单 也 温暖，杭州 的 风景 味道 都 让 人 想 再 来。

English Translation

This weekend, he and his friends travel to Hangzhou. In the morning, they take a train to the city. They do not have much luggage, and they feel relaxed. When they arrive at West Lake, the sun is warm, the wind is soft, and the water is calm like a mirror. They first walk along the lakeside, look at flowers and trees, and watch small boats move slowly. Then they take a boat to the middle of the lake, take photos, and listen to the guide tell stories. At noon they go to Longjing village to drink tea. The air has the smell of tea, and the hillsides are tea fields. An auntie shows how to brew tea and teaches them to first use hot water to warm the cup. In the afternoon they walk to Hefang Street. There are many people, but the order is not chaotic. Small shops sell souvenirs, fans, postcards, and handmade candy. They taste scallion pancake, tofu pudding, and osmanthus lotus root. The taste is sweet and fragrant. In the evening they eat dinner at a small restaurant. There is West Lake vinegar fish and Dongpo pork. He feels the dishes are a bit sweet, and his friend feels it is just right. After the meal they walk by the lake. The lights reflect in the water, and the scenery is beautiful. The next day they go to Lingyin Temple. In the morning the mountain path is quiet, and birds sing in the trees. In the temple, the smell of incense is light, and everyone speaks softly. They do not take too many photos. They just quietly look at the Buddha statues and stone carvings. At noon they buy some small gifts for family and coworkers. Finally, they take a bus to the train station, carry big smiles, and go home. He says this weekend is simple and warm. The scenery and flavors of Hangzhou make people want to come again.