While its neighbor Shanghai steps up preparations for the World Expo next year, Hangzhou is poised to use its proximity and reputation as the "back garden" of the bustling commercial hub to attract more tourists.

Long famed as a popular tourist destination due to its luxuriant foliage and rich cultural heritage, the capital of East China's Zhejiang province has designated this year as Hangzhou Tourism Friendship Year.

With the theme of "touring Hangzhou and sharing a quality life", tourism officials have unveiled a new list of scenic spots to enhance its appeal.

Some of the names on the list may sound familiar to frequent visitors to the city, yet years of construction, renovation and continuing efforts in environmental preservation have resulted in a new look that will surprise visitors, the city authorities said.

Highlights include:

Wetlands wonderland

Lingyin Temple

With the blockbuster If You Are The One on the screen, the movie's locale in Xixi national urban wetland park - the first of its kind in the country - has impressed audiences.

A combination of urban lakes, agricultural wetlands and cultural heritage, the park is alluring throughout a year, offering an easy countryside walk in spring, a place to pick water chestnuts amid the scent of lotus in summer, a pleasure in appreciating reeds and flowers in autumn, and a journey to seek plum blossoms in winter.

After its first two construction stages enhanced the eco-system and showcased folk customs, the third stage is focused on an historical residence - Hong Yuan, home to prominent playwright Hong Sheng, who wrote during the very early years of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

Hong's vintage Peking opera, the Palace of Eternal Youth, was based on the widely known love story of an emperor in the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and his favorite concubine.

The well-preserved residence adds to the charm of the wetland park.

Golden waterways

The Grand Canal, one of the world's oldest manmade waterways, is seen as a lifeline for the city. Stretching from Beijing to Hangzhou, the ancient canal, once a key artery linking the north and the south, has found a modern use.

The Hangzhou leg of the canal runs through the city and is still functional. With 48 bridges spanning the waterway - including the famous Guangji Bridge more than 500 years old - the ancient canal remains a major tourism attraction of the city.

The ancient Grand Canal still serves Hangzhou.

West Lake

West Lake is probably the most frequently visited place in Hangzhou.

The Impression of West Lake, a stage performance directed by renowned directors Zhang Yimou, Wang Chaoge and Fan Yue, offers a panorama of the legendary lake.

With the natural picturesque landscape of the West Lake as a background, the performance features legends and poetry that showcases the charm of the colorful centuries-old lake.

Lingyin Temple

Meaning "temple of soul's retreat", Lingyin is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in China.

Though situated in a mountain valley, it receives a throng of visitors in all seasons. Locals say that praying there will bring good luck.

After the second stage of renovation project was completed in October 2008, it reportedly became the "biggest Buddhist cultural tourism center" south of the Yangtze River.

Taiziwan Park

Taiziwan, a free park in the city, is famed for thousands of Japanese cherry trees. When in full blossom in mid-March, the park flames with white flowers that attract flocks of visitors to the gorgeous scene. The park is considered an ideal site for wedding ceremonies.

In addition to the popularity with photographers and new couples, the park also holds a regular tulip exhibition.

Nine Streams

The scenic Nine Streams area provides a relaxing green world with its rich water resources that include flickering streams and cascading waterfalls.

Standing in a pavilion tucked in the mountains and listening to the natural chords of twittering birds and trees singing in a gentle breeze, you will feel an intimate closeness with the nature.

Sea world

Polar Sea World is an ocean park that provides visitors the opportunity to view and come in contact with animals like whales, dolphins, polar bears, arctic foxes and seals.

At a restaurant in the park, diners have special companions - dolphins and whales swimming nearby. The sea-themed restaurant also has aquariums as its walls.

Traveling through a 100-m-long "undersea" passage is accompanied by hundreds of aquatic animals.

The ocean park has been designated as a treatment center for children suffering from autism. Researches have found that dolphins help to treat the illness.

Holiday resort

Offering rich entertainment and performances, Hangzhou Paradise Park is reportedly the biggest holiday resort in eastern China.

A Holland-themed park, an eco-friendly park, a hot spring vacation village, a meeting center, and tennis and golf clubs, all make the park a multi-functional destination.

In particular extreme sports are a highlight of the park, including a bungee jump 33 m above water, giant swings that rise 40 m and water skiing behind speedboats.

(China Daily May 1, 2009)