Hangzhou Xixi Investment & Development Co., Ltd.: An International Tourism Complex Rooted in the Cultural Heritage of Xixi Waterways

At the end of September, Xixi Wetland welcomed a wave of migratory birds that came in flocks to feast on fish and shrimp, as if we could see tourists from across the country pouring out of their homes during the National Day holiday, embracing the autumn season.

The sky is high and the air is crisp; flocks of birds soar through the heavens, fiery persimmons reflect on the rippling water, and autumn reeds drift like falling snow… The serene and tranquil beauty of Xixi is fully revealed in this season. There’s no better way to enjoy it than by heading out with family or friends for a leisurely outing, sharing a few drinks and a light meal together. People say that when you visit West Lake, you must try its famous dishes—West Lake Vinegar Fish, West Lake Lotus Root Starch Dessert, West Lake Beef Soup, and more—but as an integral part of Hangzhou’s cultural heritage, Xixi too deserves culinary delights that truly represent it.

This year 8 In October, Xixi Paradise brought together several restaurants, including the Sheraton Xixi Caiyue Xuan and the Baiyun Chinese Restaurant at Xixi Yuerongzhuang, to explore Xixi’s culinary culture alongside numerous food enthusiasts—and officially launched “Xixi Banquet.” During the National Day holiday, “Xixi Banquet” adopted the theme “Small Gatherings” and introduced dining offerings perfectly suited for intimate holiday get-togethers with family and friends. Let’s savor this freshly crafted taste of Xixi!

• The “Freshness” of Xixi

Since ancient times, Xixi has been celebrated as the “land of fish and rice, a place of flowers and fruits.” Therefore, to trace its origins and truly savor the flavors of Xixi, we must start with the ingredients. The waters of the Xixi Wetland are home to a variety of freshwater delicacies, including fish, shrimp, crabs, and soft-shelled turtles—each one plump and robust by autumn. The best way to enjoy these fresh river treasures is aboard Xixi’s distinctive rowing boats, allowing the cuisine to fully unfold its greatest charm within the serene natural setting.

The first scene of “Xixi Banquet – Little Gathering” is the Xixi Boat Banquet at Xixi Rongrong Villa. 。 Compared to riding a rowboat in a wetland scenic area, the route at Xixi Rongsheng Zhuang is more private and serene— the entire waterway is reserved for just one boat, creating a sense of “hidden within Xixi, with one’s heart beyond the mundane world.”

The Xixi Boat Banquet, with its starting point but no clear endpoint, is like a mobile restaurant. Amidst the rippling green waters and the sounds of nature, you savor the flavors of Hangzhou—and of Xixi—on your palate, while immersing yourself in the ink-and-wash aesthetic of the Jiangnan water towns along the way. Fish, shrimp, bamboo shoots, ham, wood ear mushrooms… The “Eighteen Freshnesses of the Wetlands” dish in the Xixi Boat Banquet combines eighteen different “fresh” ingredients, so that with just one sip of soup, the flavor can travel from your tongue straight to the depths of your heart.

In addition to the most distinctive boat banquets, Xixi Paradise is home to several hidden gem restaurants, each offering exceptional ambiance and cuisine. From fresh river delicacies sourced from the wetlands to fish heads from Qiandao Lake, Yangcheng Lake hairy crabs, and even seafood flown in from afar, these restaurants fully showcase the “fresh” essence of Xixi cuisine!

Xixi Yuerongzhuang Baiyun Chinese Restaurant boasts exterior walls of white plaster and black-tiled roofs, complemented by an intricately designed interior. The white clouds serve as lamps, while dark wood is skillfully arranged to stand gracefully by the lake, with pavilions adding to the scenic beauty—every glance upward reveals a picturesque landscape. In autumn, nothing is more essential on the dining table than hairy crabs; at this time, the crabs are plump with rich, golden roe and succulent meat, making them a delicacy not to be missed. In addition to enjoying crab, Xixi Yuerongzhuang has recently introduced a new menu featuring Southeast Asian-inspired cuisine—spicy spices and robust sauces perfectly balance the cooling nature of seafood, bringing a touch of warmth to the autumn season.

When friends and family gather, a buffet is a great choice. The design of the Sheraton Xixi Grand Feast Buffet draws on the principles of the Five Elements, offering understated luxury with depth and meaning, while the menu boasts an incredibly diverse selection of dishes. The latest theme happens to be “Opening Fishing Season,” with unlimited consumption of hairy crabs! 8 Shrimp species, 6 Crab species, total 40 A variety of seafood awaits your enjoyment. Special offerings for the short holiday! : Arctic sweet shrimp, shrimp mushrooms, abalone, sea cucumber, tomahawk steak, Barbecue Pork ribs, scallion-oil abalone, grilled oysters.

• The “Truth” of Xixi

As a tribute-producing region for the Southern Song imperial court, Xixi’s ducks, bamboo shoots, persimmons, and rice wine were all officially designated as royal delicacies—and today, you too can savor this regal culinary experience. Before indulging in these exquisite flavors, why not head to the Xixi Wetland’s “Fire Persimmon Festival” to enjoy the pleasure of picking your own fruits; the event also features a variety of engaging activities and performances, including intangible cultural heritage projects like indigo dyeing and small flower basket weaving, a vibrant market, the West Lake–Xixi Comics & Cultural Creatives Exhibition, the Fire Persimmon Carnival, a Fire Persimmon Concert, folk song performances, Yue Opera shows, demonstrations of the 18 martial arts of Wuchang, and traditional water town wedding ceremonies.

Once the crowds have thinned, it’s time to seek out the local flavors. Xixi is renowned for its unique specialties—so when it comes to cooking, the focus should be on preserving the authentic, unadulterated taste of the ingredients, bringing out their most genuine flavors. This restaurant takes that principle to the extreme.

As a five‑star hotel located in a wetland, the Caiyue Xuan at Xixi Sheraton always brings visitors delightful surprises. The chandeliers are shaped like raindrops, while fish play among lotus flowers in the background—every corner exudes the unique charm of Xixi.

Water bamboo is one of the seasonal vegetables of autumn, and is renowned alongside water shield and bass. " The Three Great Famous Dishes of Jiangnan " At Cai Yue Xuan, the “Shrimp Roe and Water Bamboo” dish perfectly preserves the tender, sweet, and crisp texture of the water bamboo. But the dish you absolutely must try is the “Braised Pork with Abalone.” The braised pork is rich yet not greasy, tender and soft on the palate, with a slightly sweet sauce that leaves a lingering, unforgettable aftertaste.

• The “Realm” of Xixi

The Realm of Xixi , Like the beauty of Zuo Luo who has not yet entered the Wu Palace. , Subtle, elegant, and graceful. , Naturally unparalleled. The innate aura of Xixi makes it the ideal retreat for scholars and artists.

To experience the serene beauty of Xixi, you can visit Lianhua Tan to watch birds, quietly waiting for a chance encounter with the creatures that call the wetland home; or you can hop aboard a rowboat, recline over the water while sipping tea, and let the gentle rhythm of the oars weave a simple, poetic scene: “A winding stream, a wisp of mist.”

The cuisine of Xixi naturally embodies the “Buddhist, reclusive, rustic, leisurely, and wild” essence of Xixi. Whether it’s river delicacies or the Eight Treasures of the Shore, ingredients are merely the foundation—how to capture Xixi’s scenery and cultural heritage in each dish is where the several restaurants tasked with this challenge have offered different answers.

The head chef at Xiyue Restaurant in Xixuan Hotel is deeply passionate about Red Mansion culture, and “Dream of the Red Chamber” shares intricate, multifaceted connections with Xixi. Rooted in Red Mansion culture, the Xixi Red Mansion Feast features comprehensive design elements—ranging from the restaurant’s ambiance and music to the tableware, attire, tea snacks, and tea beverages—transporting diners as if they’ve suddenly stepped into Grand View Garden. Each dish on the Red Mansion Feast has its own cultural origins; dishes like the Double-Color Fish of Ning and Rong, and the Fortune Pouch Hidden with Eight Treasures… savoring each course feels like reading a book.

The Xixi Rongrongzhuang’s Xixi Style Feast features ingredients sourced from Xixi and skillfully employs Hangzhou cuisine cooking techniques, striving for flavors that are light, fresh, crisp, and tender. Hongyuan Braised Angus Beef with Slow Cooked Sauce, Xixi’s Eighteen Fish Head Royal Dish Gaozhuang Fresh Mushroom Wetland Chicken, Jiangcun Handmade Mazi Rolls… each dish embodies a scene from Xixi.

Especially this dish, “Yan Shui Yu Zhuang Xi Xi Yun,” which is prepared with wild bamboo mushrooms from Yunnan. The filling is made of shrimp paste, while the lotus-pod shape is crafted using fish paste. The clear, delicate broth is simmered for four to five hours with ingredients like matsutake and cordyceps flowers—truly a labor of meticulous artistry. To top it off, river shrimp are delicately arranged, as if completing a traditional Chinese painting rich in atmosphere and poetic charm.

Autumn reeds in flying snow, fiery persimmons reflecting on the water, and pampas grass shimmering in the moonlight… The Xixi Xunwei Banquet at Xilaideng in Xixi embraces the elegance of mountains and waters, drawing on the strengths of various culinary traditions. Inspired by Xixi’s Ten Scenic Views, each step reveals a new vista, each vista a unique flavor—ten scenes, ten tastes.

In addition, Qihé Restaurant and Huafang Private Kitchen Restaurant both bring their unique interpretations of the “Xixi Banquet.” These two restaurants, along with Xixi Villa and Grandma’s Home, are all high‑quality Hangzhou cuisine restaurants within Xixi Paradise—well worth a visit.

The exquisite Chinese-style décor, the attentive and heartwarming “Haidilao-style” service, and the delicious, beautifully presented private cuisine have earned Xixi Biyuan a spot on the Hangzhou Private Cuisine Review List at [certain rating platform] No. [number]. 1 The secret to its fame. Recommended dishes: Homemade Iron Pot Fish Head, Crispy-Skinned Roasted Milk Duck.

Huafang Private Kitchen is a distinctive Hangzhou-style restaurant where no salt or MSG is used in any of the dishes—instead, all the savory and umami flavors are derived from homemade ham stock. Recommended dishes: : Pancake rolls with black pork, braised duck hot pot, and braised large intestines.

At Qihé Restaurant, you’re always in for a delightful surprise with its creative and delicious dishes. The cuisine at Xixi Yan Restaurant is crafted from fresh ingredients sourced directly from the restaurant’s own farm, blending the gentle elegance of Jiangnan cuisine with the authentic local traditions of Xixi. Recommended dishes include: Qihé Barbecue, Stone-Pot Sea Urchin Tofu, and Fermented Black Bean–Braised River Shrimp.

“Gathering by chance is the most delightful experience in this world.” During long holidays, reuniting with family to admire the moon, enjoying casual get-togethers with friends over drinks, watching fishing boats return at dusk, and sharing a feast by Xixi—these are truly the joys of life!