Medieval Sourcebook:Marco Polo: The Glories Of Kinsay [Hangchow] (c. 1300)

I came across a interesting record of my hometown in China, Hangchow(or HangZhou): http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/polo-kinsay.html I am not sure about the accuracy of Marco Polo's descrīption about the city, but something about the lake, West Lake, is mostly reliable, and reminds me the rich history of the city, and breathtakingly beautiful scene of the lake:
"Inside the city there is a Lake which has a compass of some 30 miles [note: probably 30 li] and all round it are erected beautiful palaces and mansions, of the richest and most exquisite structure that you can imagine, belonging to the nobles of the city. There are also on its shores many abbeys and churches of the Idolaters. In the middle of the Lake are two Islands, on each of which stands a rich, beautiful and spacious edifice, furnished in such style as to seem fit for the palace of an Emperor. And when any one of the citizens desired to hold a marriage feast, or to give any other entertainment, it used to be done at one of these palaces. And everything would be found there ready to order, such as silver plate, trenchers, and dishes, napkins and table-cloths, and whatever else was needful. The King made this provision for the gratification of his people, and the place was open to every one who desired to give an entertainment. Sometimes there would be at these palaces an hundred different parties; some holding a banquet, others celebrating a wedding; and yet all would find good accommodation in the different apartments and pavilions, and that in so well ordered a manner that one party was never in the way of another. "

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