It is easy to have a quick look at China's past and present, but it takes time to gain a panoramic knowledge of China. The "Panoramic China" series is meant to assist readers, especially those overseas, in this respect. Each volume in the series focuses on a province, municipality or autonomous region, describing, with illustrations, the outstanding characteristics of each area from different perspectives.

Zhejiang: Riding the Tides of History

As described by the poets of old, Hangzhou was both beautiful and affluent. Today, as the capital of Zhejinag Provice, the City retains its former beauty and glory. The province is known not only for its scenic mountains and rivers, but also for its rich endowment of resources and people. It has long enjoyed the fame of being the "land of fish and rice," "home of silk and tea," "proveice of cultural relics" and "site of scenic attractions".

Living and working in this beautiful setting, the people of ZheJiang, apart from their poetic cultural spirit, are daring and creative surfers riding the tide of China's reform and opening up in the new era, thus achieving stunning economic success.