Business

Business

3 min read

Much of Hangzhou’s reputation comes from its history and natural beauty, but that status is changing. Indeed, for many, including billionaire e-commerce mogul Jack Ma, Hangzhou represents a changing of the tides for China-that the power of the economy canbe held just as well in Hangzhou as it can in Beijing or Shanghai. Be it tech, logistics, education, or service, the booming economy of Hangzhou is a place to watch when it comesto the wealth of the world. For entrepreneurs wanting their spot in the Chinese market, Hangzhou provides features like no other for inspired would-be business owners who want to make their fortune in a city that’s worth the effort.

The Southern Banks

Every summer, swimming enthusiasts taking part in the Qiantang Swimming Challenge jump into the water near the iconic “City Balcony”on the northern banks of the Qiantang River. They then paddle southward to the finishing line on the other shore.

An observer watching from the north can see the impressive skyline of the Binjiang high-tech entrepreneurial hub looming above them. This hub drew the attention of President Xi Jinping during his visit to Hangzhou on May 26,2015 and the 280-meter-talltwin towers, located at the western tip of the new Hangzhou Airport Expressway, will rise to represent the future height of Hangzhou.

Hangzhou Olympic and International Expo Center at the Binjiang high-tech entrepreneurialhub Called the”Gate of Wisdom”and designed by the architect who crafted the world-famous Burj Khalifa，the twin structure’s truly dramatic presentation of the Chinesecharacter”门”suggests the idea of a gateway.The towers will be the centerpiece of the Hangzhou Internet of Things Innovation Park that is already a booming industrial base and home to a dozen industry leaders，including Geely Automobile.

For the older generation in Hangzhou，the geographical conception of the city does not include the southern banks of the Qiantang River.The turn of the century，however，saw Hangzhou enter the”Age of the Qiantang River”and with it the rise of a brand-new Binjiang District on the southern shores.If Hangzhou proper is a symbol of the city’s past glory crystallized in the mesmerizing West Lake vista，Binjiang is a manifestation of Hangzhou’s hidden dynamism and the future of a city that is embracing global diversity.

This new extension of the sprawling，modern city has not only turned this part of Hangzhou into an entrepreneurial powerhouse but also brought much greater access for Hangzhounese to the scenic beauty and cultural grandeur of the“mother river”of Zhejiang Province.Officially known as the Hangzhou High-Tech Industrial Development Zone，this neat urban district now plays host to a galaxy of gigantic，luxurious apartmentcomplexes，futuristic hotels，and headquarters of multinational corporations，with its ever-changing contours reshaping the general view of what the”City of Hangzhou”really is.

After two decades of vigorous development，today’s Binjiang is a paradise for entrepreneurial dreamers；the city’s most innovative minds complete with an expansive use of space for parklands are all in close proximity to a first-class transportation infrastructure and just 15 kilometers from Xiaoshan International Airport.There is a high concentration of top-notch residential blocks，the city’s only international school（Hangzhou International School），University of Chinese Medicine，a cluster of industrial leaders including the Bin jiang base of China’s e-commerce star，Alibaba Group，and an array of hot cultural and leisure venues within its territory.Binjiang has become a coveted settlement for locals and resident foreigners alike.

Boasting a gorgeous view of the river and the metropolitan skyline of the north banks that embrace the old Hangzhou proper，Wentao Road has what promises to be China’s longest and most beautiful promenade and is a favorite hangout for the city’s angler community.One side of the 7.4kilometer sapphire blue stretch is laid out to feature a dazzling view of cherry blossoms in springtime.The road has been used as a key running section of the yearly Hangzhou Marathon，dubbed“World’s Most Beautiful Marathon” for two consecutive years.Future development of this scenic riverside belt aims to build a leisure hub for all Binjiang residents to en joy a LOHAS existence in the strictest sense of the word.