For centuries, Hangzhou has been known in China as "Heaven on Earth," celebrated for its rich cultural heritage and the timeless beauty of West Lake, the famed freshwater lake at the heart of the city. Today, it is earning another distinction as one of the country's leading centers for artificial intelligence and technological innovation. During a five-day familiarization trip from July 28 to Aug. 1, a delegation from The Manila Times discovered how Hangzhou has preserved both identities, creating a city where thousand-year-old landmarks sit comfortably alongside some of China's most ambitious technological developments. The trip came to be from a series of recommendations. Friends and acquaintances had repeatedly encouraged The Manila Times President and Chief Operating Officer Blanca Mercado to visit Hangzhou, saying that while Beijing, Shanghai and Xi'an often dominate travel itineraries, this city offered something different. Curious to see it firsthand, Mercado led a delegation composed of Times board member and news anchor Michael Ang; senior account manager Evelyn Mercado; news editors Leena Calso Chua and Alvin Dacanay; sports editor Emil Noguera; photographer Gerard Seguia; social media staff member Iggy Monsura; Opinion columnist Anna Malindog-Uy, who joined the group from nearby Shenzhen; and this writer. Founded more than 2,200 years ago, Hangzhou is one of China's seven ancient capitals and the seat of Zhejiang Province, about a two-hour drive from Shanghai. It flourished as the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty and has long been celebrated as the home of Longjing, or Dragon Well tea, and China's centuries-old silk industry. Today, it is equally known as the birthplace of Alibaba and its founder, Jack Ma, and as one of the country's leading centers for digital innovation — making it one of the few cities where history and technology coexist so naturally. The heart of Hangzhou The team's