Hotel exterior [Photo provided to ehangzhou.gov.cn]

Described as "heaven on earth" by Marco Polo and known as the capital of the Southrn Song Dynasty, Hangzhou is a city steeped in history, culture, and natural scenery. The city not only boasts three UNESCO World Heritage sites – the Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu, the renowned West Lake and the Grand Canal, but is also known as Silicon Valley in Paradise for being the epicentre of China's tech industry.

The Hangzhou Bay area and Qiantang River are also famed for the world's largest tidal bore – a natural phenomenon which occurs once a year in mid-autumn where quickly rising and roaring tides are generated by the force of the combined gravitational pull of the moon and sun. But when night falls during the rest of the year, the serene and tranquil river embankment glows silently under the soft moonlight.

Just a few steps away from the river sits the Conrad Hangzhou, part of the iconic Raffles City complex, which symbolizes the city's meteoric rise, poetic history and natural scenery. The hotel enjoys a true sense of place, both outside and inside, appealing to a new generation of smart luxury travellers whose lives, business and pleasures intersect.

Inspired by the Qiantang River, the hotel's façade echoes the ripples, fluid movement and momentum of the tidal bore and stirs the senses with its ultra-modern, sweeping exterior. The unique design of the building shuns traditional square corners and static shapes in favour of undulating curves, rounded surfaces and sensual, sleek forms that imply motion.