Hangzhou Global Tour: Day eight

Alibaba is one of the fastest growing technology companies in the world, and we learned they are based here in Hangzhou. We got an exclusive opportunity to visit the sprawling campus in the outskirts of town. The Alibaba headquarters is quite impressive, with building after building peppering the property, employing over 15,000 people at just this one site.

Alibaba campus in Hangzhou

During our visit some of the Alibaba employees held a very large banner with the Global Tour logo on it as a send-off as we leave for our next destination. Domenick from the Capaldi family broke out his guitar and started performing the “Happy Hangzhou” song they re-wrote and lots of people gathered around and began dancing. There was a lot of energy in the air and it was quite fun.

Dancing having fun at Alibaba

As we strolled the campus we noticed massive sculptures, park-like areas and lots of orange colored Alibaba bikes passing by as employees move from one part of the company to another. The facility is so big; they even have their own Starbucks! While I’ve never been to the Google Campus in California, the Alibaba Campus seems very Google-esk in its scope, size and employee amenities. We ran across a huge game room, a massive workout facility, laundry and mail services…it was amazing!

Park-like area at Alibaba headquarters

While the families did some filming at the Alibaba campus, I tagged along with a couple of the Global Tour PR folks from New York to visit one of the nicest resorts in Hangzhou…Banyan Tree, which I have to say I’d never heard of. Come to find out Banyan Tree is excusive to Asia. When we arrived a tour was provided by their marketing manager, who showed us around the property as well as some of the accommodations. Banyan Tree is such an amazing property that backs the XiXi National Wetland Park…it’s like being in a tropical oasis. The entire property, including the accommodations are simply stunning. This is the type of unique resort property that travel writers like me enjoy exposing to the world and I hope one day to experience it.

Banyan Tree Resort in Hangzhou

After leaving the resort we took a taxi to one of the main entrances to the Wetland park where we would eventually met up with our group for dinner. In the meantime, we boarded a traditional Chinese style riverboat that floated us down the silky smooth waters running through the wetland. The sights were stunning…so many different types of trees, foliage and colors as the fading sun cast amber hues through the leaves and blades of grass protruding from the riverbanks.

Traditional style Chinese riverboats photo by: MikesRoadTrip.com

As we floated under a number of ornate bridges we eventually arrived at an island were we disembarked the boat. Here we discovered an old fishing village now turned into a living museum for visitors. Our amazing tour guide Sue explained many of the devices that were on display, such as a soybean and rice grinder made of stone and wood. What is so fascinating is that many of the items on display were being used not that long ago. Each day it become more and more evident of China’s emergence as an economic power as they continue to lift throngs of people from poverty. The opportunities in China right now seem to be boundless.

Old fishing village in XiXi Wetland Park in Hangzhou by MikesRoadTrip.com

After our tour of the village, we meander toward a modern building, part of which was supported by stilts overlooking a body of water. There were three family style tables set up with floor to ceiling windows providing a splendid view. This is what you call, “experience dining.” What a treat it was to be nestled by nature and enjoy all the love and laugher of a communal meal together. Talk about a farm-to-table meal, we tried five different fish dishes that were caught out of the river that runs through the Wetland Park just hours earlier.

Experience dinner at XiXi Wetland park

As the sunset and our dining experience concluded, a full moon rose to illuminate our journey down a cobble stone path back to our awaiting vessel. With all the windows open letting in a cool breeze through the belly of the boat, we drifted downstream as the moons illumination reflected itself off the still waters. What a magical ending to a glorious evening.

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Sadly our time in Hangzhou is coming to an end and I suspect we have only just scratched the surface to all the amazing activities there are to explore in this historic and emerging city known as the happiest in all of China.

Stay tuned for one last update from Hangzhou tomorrow as we embark on our next destination for this Global Tour.

Mike Shubic

Mike Shubic is a seasoned road trip travel video blogger, traversing the byways of the world looking for those hidden gems of the road. From unique destinations, unexpected discoveries, creative cuisine, intriguing inns to exciting attractions…the road is his page. The experiences are his ink. And every 300 miles, a new chapter begins. Whether you live vicariously or by example, Mike will do the exploring so you can have an adventure.
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