On June 9, 2010, Taipei launched an inauguration ceremony for Hangzhou Travel Service Center, the first travel promotion center set up by a mainland city. This attracted a lot of attention from Taiwan’s travel industry.

From left to right: Liu Wenyi, president of Lion Travel Agency; Tong Guili, vice mayor of Hangzhou city;Zhou Qingxiong, chairman of Taipei Sightseeing Association; Xu Peng, deputy director of Zhejiang's Travel Bureau.

Located at No 111-2, Nanjing East Street, Taipei, the Hangzhou Travel Service Center is more than a store that sells Hangzhou souvenirs. It also offers other services such as - consultation, reservation, and feedbacks.

The Consultation Area not only provides detailed travel information but also projects videos to showcase a virtual Hangzhou to potential visitors. Visitors are able to book tickets at the Reservation Area for tours at scenic spots, hotels, restaurants.

The Hangzhou Travel Service Center, organized by Hangzhou Travel Committee, plans to build a series of chain stores all over Taiwan with the help of a Taiwan-based Lion Travel Agency.

Tong Guili, vice mayor of Hangzhou city, delivered a speech at the inauguration ceremony, “More than 420 thousand Taiwanese visited Hangzhou last year. The Hangzhou Travel Service Center will work as bridge helping Taiwan and Hangzhou to come to a win-win situation.”

Hangzhou in Zhejiang province enjoys the age-old reputation of being one of the "twin paradises on earth" (the other being Jiangsu’s Suzhou).

By Xie Fang