The city may not be good for fighters, but it is ideal for intellectuals. This is why many historical men of letters were buried around the lake, to "live in heaven forever". If they were alive now, they might also feel blessed, as the real estate value of their funeral plot has soared over the past few years.

Lakeside apartments, the most expensive ones, were selling at 122,000 yuan ($16,865) per sq m in November.

Hangzhou is also famous for beauty. As another famous saying goes: Beautiful women come from Suzhou and Hangzhou. Taiwanese director Ang Lee obviously realized this when he cast Hangzhou's Tang Wei in Lust, Caution.

A male friend once confided to me he would tour Hangzhou to find a beautiful wife when he had made enough money. I wish him good luck, but what I do know is the city is an ideal destination for lovers.

Delicious food is another tourist attraction. Thanks to the many rivers and lakes, local chefs have devised many famous fish dishes over the years, such as xihu cuyu (West Lake sour fish) and songsao yugeng (Mrs Song's fish soup).

Lou Wai Lou is a must-visit restaurant in many guidebooks. But if you want to try something local, try Gao Yin Xiang, a famous dining street in the city.

Zhi Wei Guan serves excellent traditional dim sum. It has many branches across the city, but the one located on Dong Po Road is the best. Steamed mini dumplings are my favorites, costing 10 yuan ($1.4) for 10. I missed the dumplings so much when I studied abroad I used to cry for them.