Hangzhou, China (CNN)The former capital of the Southern Song dynasty, Hangzhou is often referred to as Shanghai"s backyard thanks to its location less than 180 kilometers southwest of the country"s largest city.
But don"t be fooled into thinking this is just another Chinese urban center.
Hangzhou, set to host the G20 summit, was once anointed the "finest and most splendid city in the world" by Marco Polo.
And while that title is certainly up for debate these days, it"s currently one of the most dynamic cities in China.
Even the proudest Shanghaiists have to admit there are things that Hangzhou -- a favorite weekend escape -- does better than their city.
We explore a few in this mini guide to Hangzhou.
1. Lake living
Located on French sycamore-covered Nanshan Road, China Art Academy is one of the country"s most prestigious fine art institutions.
The Art Academy was established by some of China"s most celebrated painters and educators near West Lake in 1928.
Its students and graduates have made a massive contribution to Hangzhou"s robust cultural creative industry.
For tourists, the Academy"s campus architecture is the biggest draw.
Dotted with students and instructors" artwork, it"s elegant and minimalist, modern but classic.
The open campus is integrated into the West Lake surroundings.
Its enclosed modern courtyards and gardens offer a hint of traditional Chinese landscape art.
Wang Shu, the Academy"s head of the Architecture School who participated in campus designs, brought home China"s first Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2012.
Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2016/08/28/travel/hangzhou-10-things-guide/index.html
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