A number of companies have signed up to support the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games, with the below official prestige partners at the top level of sponsorship.

Geely Holding Group is the official automobile services partner of Hangzhou 2022.

The major car manufacturer is headquartered in Hangzhou and will provide transport for the Asian Games.

China Telecom is an official communication service partner of Hangzhou 2022, along with China Mobile.

The two companies will provide 5G network coverage throughout the event.

They will also work in areas including artificial intelligence and cloud technology.

[/modal]

[modal title="" id="china-mobile"]

China Mobile is an official communication service partner of Hangzhou 2022, a duty it shares with China Telecom.

The two companies will provide 5G network coverage throughout the Asian Games.

They will also work in areas including artificial intelligence and cloud technology.

[/modal]

[modal title="" id="icbc"]

The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) is the official banking partner of Hangzhou 2022.

The company will work to provide "comprehensive, one-stop banking services" for the Asian Games.

It is a reprisal of the role for ICBC, which was also official banking partner at the Asian Games in Guangzhou in 2010.

[/modal]

[modal title="" id="loongair"]

Loongair is the official airline of the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games. 

It is based out of Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport and has unveiled jets with livery dedicated to the event.

The company has adopted the catchphrase 'Fly Loong Air for amazing Asian Games' as part of its support.

[/modal]

[modal title="" id="alibaba"]

Alibaba Group is a major Chinese technology company with various interests, including commerce and retail.

It was founded in Hangzhou by Jack Ma and still has a presence in the city.

The company will manage the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center, which includes the main venue hub for next year's Asian Games, through its sports division.

It will also help out in a variety of other areas, including its affiliate Alipay which is also a prestige partner of the Games.

Alibaba is also a top-tier partner of the International Olympic Committee.

[/modal]

[modal title="" id="alipay"]

Alipay, an online and mobile payment platform, is an affiliate of the Alibaba Group.

It is used extensively in Hangzhou, which has been described as a "cashless city".

Payments made using Alipay will be a common part of the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games.

[/modal]

[modal title="" id="361-degrees"]

361 Degrees International Limited is a Chinese sportswear company which will provide clothing for the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games.

The company has more than 5,000 shops in China.

It was the official provider of uniforms for staff and volunteers at the 2016 Summer Olympics and Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro.

[/modal]

[modal title="" id="china-pacific"]

China Pacific Insurance Group is the official insurance services partner of Hangzhou 2022.

The company has pledged to provide a package of insurance protection and comprehensive risk management services for Hangzhou 2022.

[/modal]

[modal title="" id="das"]

DAS-Security is a cybersecurity firm based in Hangzhou.

It will offer cybersecurity services throughout the 2022 Asian Games.

[/modal]

The Asian Games are the oldest and most prestigious event on the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) calendar, dating back to the inaugural edition in 1951.

Like the Olympic Games, they are normally held every four years.

However, the 2022 edition of the Asian Games in Hangzhou will take place one year later than planned in 2023.

This decision was made in May 2022 by the Olympic Council of Asia, due to continued COVID-19 restrictions in China.

Dates of between September 23 and October 8, 2023, have now been set for the Games. 

Hangzhou 2022, as it will still be known, will be the 19th edition of the Asian Games.

The Games follow the sports programme of the Olympics, with athletics and swimming as core sports, as well as featuring disciplines which reflect the diverse sporting culture of the continent.

New Delhi 1951

The first edition of the Asian Games was held in New Delhi in March 1951.

The aftermath of the Second World War meant Japan were barred from the 1948 Olympics in London.

They were not invited to the founding meeting of the Asian Games Federation in 1949 but the country was allowed to compete in the inaugural Asian Games.

South Korea did not participate, however, due to the Korean War, which had started the previous year and would last until 1953. 

The Games were officially opened by Indian President Rajendra Prasad at the Dhyan Chand National Stadium.

A total of 489 athletes from 11 National Olympic Committees competed in 12 sports.

Japan topped the medal table with 24 gold, 21 silver and 15 bronze medals.

A total of 169 medals were awarded. 

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Manila 1954

The second edition of the Asian Games was held in Manila in May 1954.

The Games were formally opened by Philippines President Ramon Magsaysay at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

A total of 970 athletes from 19 National Olympic Committees competed in eight sports.

Once again, Japan topped the medal table with 38 gold, 36 silver and 24 bronze.

A total of 218 medals were awarded. 

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Tokyo 1958

The Torch Relay, now a well-established aspect in the build-up to both the Olympic and Commonwealth Games, was introduced as a new tradition of the Asian Games for Tokyo 1958.

The Relay commenced at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum, the main venue for the previous Games in Manila.

In Japan, the Torch was carried from the United States-occupied Okinawa Island to Kagoshima Prefecture on the island of Kyushu for a journey through the Japanese archipelago.

A total number of 1,820 athletes from 16 countries competed in 13 sports in May and June.

The sacred flame was ignited at the Opening Ceremony by triple jumper Mikio Oda, who three decades earlier had become Japan's first Olympic champion when won the gold medal at Amsterdam in 1928.

The Games were officially opened at the National Stadium by Japan Emperor Hirohito.

Japan, yet again, topped the medal table with 67 gold, 41 silver and 30 bronze medals.

A total of 302 medals were awarded.

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Jakarta 1962

The fourth edition of the Asian Games was held in Jakarta in August and September 1962.

Politics were playing a big part behind the scenes as, succumbing to pressure from Arab countries and China, the Indonesian Government refused to issue visas to the delegations from Israel and Taiwan.

Nevertheless, a total number of 1,460 athletes from 12 countries competed with badminton making its debut as one of 13 sports.

The Games were officially opened by Indonesian President Sukarno at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.

Japan topped the medal table with 73 gold, 65 silver and 23 bronze.

A total of 381 medals were awarded.

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Bangkok 1966

The fifth edition of the Asian Games was held in Bangkok in December 1966.

Taiwan and Israel returned to the Games and a total number of 1,945 athletes from 16 countries were involved in the event.

Women's volleyball made its debut as one of 14 sports on the programme.

The Games were given royal approval as they were officially opened by the King of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej at the National Stadium.

Japan topped the medal table with 78 gold, 53 silver and 33 bronze.

A total of 454 medals were awarded.

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Bangkok 1970

The Asian Games returned to Bangkok in 1970 after original hosts Seoul dropped their bid in the wake of receiving security threats from North Korea.

Thailand staged the Games in August and September with the help of South Korean funds.

A total of 2,400 athletes from 16 countries competed with sailing making its debut as one of 13 sports on the programme.

Once again the Games were officially opened by the King of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej at the National Stadium.

The cauldron lighter was Preeda Chullamondhol, a Thai cyclist who had competed at the Tokyo 1964 Olympics.

Japan topped the medal table with 74 gold, 47 silver and 23 bronze.

A total of 427 medals were awarded.

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Tehran 1974

The seventh edition of the Asian Games was held in Tehran in September 1974 as the quadrennial event moved to the Middle East for the first time.

The Azadi Sport Complex was purposely built for the Games, which saw Iran’s capital play host to a record 3,010 athletes from 19 different countries.

Fencing, gymnastics and women's basketball were added to existing disciplines with 16 sports now on the programme.

In addition to the use of state-of-the-art technology, from synthetic track to photo-finish cameras, the Games were known for strict security measures due to reported threats from Palestine and a Japanese militant sect.

Politics played a major role as the action got underway with the Arab nations, China, North Korea and Pakistan refusing to face Israel in basketball, fencing, football and tennis.

The Asian Games Federation conference, which was held 10 months before the Games, had decided to expel Taiwan and accept China.

The Games were officially opened by Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the Shah of Iran, at the Aryamehr Stadium.

Iranian freestyle wrestler Mansour Barzegar delivered the athletes’ oath, while Golverdi Peymani lit the Cauldron.

Japan topped the medal table with 75 gold, 49 silver and 51 bronze.

A total of 601 medals were awarded. 

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Bangkok 1978

The eighth edition of the Asian Games was held in Bangkok in December 1978 - the third time in four editions they had been staged in Thailand's capital.

Original hosts Singapore could not fulfil their obligations due to financial reasons.

Pakistan’s capital Islamabad was then chosen to stage the event but also pulled out due to conflicts with Bangladesh and India.

It led to Bangkok stepping in and hosting the Games again.

On the political front, Israel was expelled from the Asian Games.

A total number of 3,842 athletes from 19 countries competed in 19 sports.

Making their debuts were archery and bowling.

The Games were officially opened by the King of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej at the National Stadium.

Japan topped the medal table with 70 gold, 58 silver and 49 bronze.

A total of 625 medals were awarded.

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New Delhi 1982

The ninth edition of the Asian Games was held in New Delhi in November and December 1982.

This marked a return to New Delhi, hosts of the inaugural edition of the Games in 1951.

New Delhi thus joined Bangkok as the only cities to host multiple editions of the Asian Games.

The 1982 edition was the first Asian Games to be backed by the Olympic Council of Asia. 

The Asian Games Federation, under whose jurisdiction the first eight Asian Games had been held, had been dissolved.

By the 1980s, the Games were growing considerably in size.

A total number of 3,411 athletes from 23 countries competed in 21 sports.

Debut sports were equestrian, golf, handball, women’s hockey and rowing, while bowling and fencing were excluded.

New Delhi 1982 marked the beginning of China’s dominance in the medal standings, ending Japan’s run of securing overall triumphs at all previous editions of the Games.

China amassed 61 gold, 51 silver and 41 bronze.

In preparation for the Games, colour television had been introduced into India and enabled the Games to be broadcast using the very latest technology.

These Games were also memorable for another reason.

This was the first Asian Games to introduce a mascot, with Appu - an elephant Indian officials claimed represented fidelity, wisdom and strength - chosen.

South Korea, which would go onto host the 1986 Asian Games and 1988 Olympics in Seoul, had a 406-person delegation at New Delhi 1982.

This included an observation team to study the events, facilities and management.

The Games were officially opened by Indian President Zail Singh at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

P T Usha, one of India's greatest athletes, read the athletes’ oath.

Standards were rising all the time with 74 Asian and Asian Games records broken.

A total of 614 medals were awarded.

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Seoul 1986

The 10th edition of the Asian Games took place in Seoul in September and October, 1986.

The venues and facilities were highly impressive as they were also going to be used for the 1988 Olympic and Paralympic Games in South Korea’s capital.

Considered a test event for the Olympics, a total of 4,839 athletes from 22 countries competed in 25 sports.

Making their first appearances were women's cycling, judo, women's shooting and taekwondo.

Standards were high with as many as 83 Asian records and three world records broken, while two world records were equalled.

Japanese hammer thrower Shigenobu Murofushi won Asian Games gold for the fifth successive time, a sequence stretching back to Bangkok 1970.

Hodori, a tiger cub, was the official mascot of both the 1986 Asian Games and the 1988 Olympics.

But the star of Seoul 1986 was India’s P T Usha, who won four gold medals and one silver to make her the most successful track and field athlete at the Games.

Ten socialist countries - Afghanistan, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, North Korea, South Yemen, Syria and Vietnam - boycotted the Games due to political tensions.

The only one not to was China, which once again topped the medal table with 94 gold, 82 silver and 46 bronze.

South Korea finished second ahead of Japan, marking the coming of age of sport in the country.

A total of 837 medals were awarded.

Just a few days before the Games were officially opened by South Korea President Chun Doo-hwan, at the Seoul Olympic Stadium, a spy detonated a bomb behind a vending machine at Gimpo International Airport, killing five people.

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Beijing 1990

The 11th edition of the Asian Games was held in Beijing in September and October 1990.

This was the first large-scale international sports event to be hosted by China. 

A total number of 6,122 athletes from 36 countries competed in 27 sports.

Sports that made their debut were canoeing, kabaddi, sepak takraw, softball and wushu.

Baseball and soft tennis were demonstration sports.

The build-up to Beijing 1990 saw the death of OCA President Sheikh Fahad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah during the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait.

OCA headquarters were temporarily moved to Great Britain until the US liberated Kuwait in 1991.

PanPan, a panda, served as a memorable mascot.

Seven world records - six in archery and one in cycling - and 89 Asian records were broken, while one world record and 11 Asian records were equalled at Beijing 1990.

The Games served as a precursor to China's future development in the sporting arena as the country went on to bid, unsuccessfully, for the 2000 Olympics and then successfully for the 2008 Olympics.

Beijing 1990 was officially opened by Chinese President Yang Shangkun at the Workers' Stadium.

Chinese athletes Xu Haifeng, Gao Min and Zhang Rongfang, who competed in shooting, diving and volleyball respectively, lit the Cauldron.

China topped the medal table with 183 gold, 107 silver and 51 bronze.

A total of 976 medals were awarded. 

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Hiroshima 1994

The 12th edition of the Asian Games took place in Hiroshima in October 1994.

The main theme of these Games was to promote peace and harmony among Asian nations.

This was emphasised by the Japanese hosts as the venue was the site of the first atomic bombings of 1945.

Hiroshima 1994 saw the return of Taiwan to the Asian Games and the addition of five Central Asian countries newly independent from the former Soviet Union; Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

It was the first edition of the Games to be held in a non-capital city.

Due to the First Gulf War, Iraq was suspended from the Games.

The official mascots were a pair of white doves, Poppo and Cuccu, representing peace and harmony.

There were a total number of 6,828 athletes from 42 countries.

Thirty-four sports were on the programme, including debutants baseball, karate and modern pentathlon.

The Games were officially opened by Japan Emperor Akihito at the Hiroshima Big Arch.

China topped the medal table with 125 gold, 83 silver and 58 bronze.

A total of 1,081 medals were awarded.

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Bangkok 1998

The 13th edition of the Asian Games was held in Bangkok in December 1998.

This was the first edition of the event for which a bidding process was held.

Bangkok beat off competition from Taipei and Jakarta to win the hosting rights. 

It marked the fourth time Thailand's capital had played host, having already done so in 1966, 1970 and 1978.

The Games were officially opened by the King of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej, at the Rajamangala Stadium.

The Cauldron was lit by Thai muay thai kickboxer Somluck Kamsing, who two years earlier had won an Olympic gold medal in featherweight boxing at Atlanta 1996. 

Kamsing would go onto defend his Asian Games featherweight boxing title.

A total of 6,554 athletes from 41 National Olympic Committees participated in the Games, competing in 36 sports, including canoeing, kabaddi, sepak takraw and squash.

China topped the medal table with 129 gold, 78 silver and 67 bronze.

A total of 1,223 medals were awarded.

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Busan 2002

The 14th edition of the Asian Games was held in Busan in September and October 2002.

Busan thus became the second South Korean city to stage the Games, following in footsteps of 1986 hosts Seoul.  

A total number of 6,572 athletes from 44 countries competed in 38 sports.

It was the first time in the history of the Asian Games that all 44 member nations of the Olympic Council of Asia participated.

That included North Korea, which sent an unprecedented delegation to South Korea, and Afghanistan, which returned to the Asian Games for the first time since the Taliban had come to power in 1996.

Duria, a seagull, was the Games' mascot.

Bodybuilding made its debut as an event.

The Games were officially opened by South Korea President Kim Dae-jung at the Busan Asiad Main Stadium.

China, once again, topped the medal table with 150 gold, 84 silver and 74 bronze.

A total of 1,350 medals were awarded.

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Doha 2006

The 15th edition of the Asian Games was held in Doha in December 2006.

Qatar’s capital became only the second city in West Asia, following Tehran in 1974, to host the Games.

It was the first time that all 45 member nations of the Olympic Council of Asia took part in the event.

Eurosport broadcast the Games, marking the first time that the event could be watched in Europe. 

Doha 2006 was officially opened by Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, at the Khalifa International Stadium.

The athletes’ oath was read by Mubarak Eid Bilal, while the judges’ oath was read by Abd Allah Al-Bulooshi.

The Cauldron was lit by Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, a close member of the Royal House of Thani.

A total of 9,520 athletes took part, competing in 39 sports, including bodybuilding, softball, soft tennis and wushu.

China again topped the medal table with 166 gold, 87 silver and 63 bronze.

A total of 1,393 medals were awarded.

The Games were marred by the death of South Korean rider Kim Hyung-chil in a fatal accident.

Kim fell from his horse during the cross-country stage of the three-day equestrian competition.

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Guangzhou 2010

The 16th edition of the Asian Games took place in Guangzhou in November 2010.

Guangzhou thus became the second city in China to host the Games, following in the footsteps of 1990 hosts Beijing.

A total of 9,704 athletes from 45 National Olympic Committees competed in 42 sports.

Five cartoon images of rams were unveiled as the mascots for the Games with the animal holding a long association with the city.

The mascots were named A Xiang, A He, A Ru, A Yi and Le Yangyang.

Wen Jiabao, the Premier of China, officially opened Guangzhou 2010 at the Guangdong Olympic Stadium.

Hosts China topped the medal table with 199 gold, 119 silver and 98 bronze.

A total of 1,577 medals were awarded.

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Incheon 2014

The 17th edition of the Asian Games took place in Incheon in September and October 2014.

It was the third time South Korea had staged the Olympic Council of Asia's showpiece event, following in the footsteps of 1986 hosts Seoul and 2002 hosts Busan.

A total of 9,501 athletes from 45 National Olympic Committees competed in 36 sports.

Three spotted seal siblings were the official mascots of the Games. 

Known as Barame, Chumuro and Vichuon, meaning wind, dance and light, they were chosen as symbolic to the future peace between North Korea and South Korea.

The Games’ slogan was "Diversity Shines Here".

They were officially opened by South Korea President Park Geun-hye at the Incheon Asiad Main Stadium.

Yet again, China topped the medal table with 151 gold, 109 silver and 85 bronze.

A total of 1,454 medals were awarded.

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Jakarta Palembang 2018

The 18th edition of the Asian Games was originally due to be held solely in Jakarta - but the Indonesian capital ended up sharing the event with Palembang after a decision confirmed in September 2015.

It meant the flagship event returned to the country for the first time since Jakarta hosted the Asian Games in 1962.

Jakarta and Palembang are located on two different islands - Java and Sumatra respectively - and are around 270 miles apart.

This meant this was the first Asian Games to be held in two separate regions, with a 45 minute flight separating the pair of host cities.

Forty-five countries competed at the Games, with 11,300 athletes contesting 465 events in 40 sports between August 18 and September 2.

China finished on top of the medal table with a massive 132 golds, as well as 92 silvers and 66 bronze.

Japan finished second with South Korea third and hosts Indonesia fourth.

A trio of animal mascots were unveiled for the Games - Bhin Bhin, Kaka and Atung.

Bhin Bhin is a bird of paradise, Kaka is a rhino and Atung is a deer.

The slogan of the Games was "Energy of Asia", with Indonesian President Joko Widodo officially beginning the event at the Opening Ceremony.

Both the Opening and Closing Ceremonies were held at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta.

The Games were notable as North and South Korea marched together at the Opening Ceremony, under a unified flag.

They also competed together in certain sports - winning a historic gold medal in the women's dragon boat.

Japan's Rikako Ikee was named as the MVP of the Games after winning six swimming gold medals.

Ikee was later diagnosed with leukemia but miraculously battled back to compete at her home Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. 

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The Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games will be promoted as an event which is about much more than sport.

Three sporty robots known as the "smart triplets" will serve as the mascots of the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games.

The Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games will utilise dozens of venues in the Chinese city, at various sports hubs and clusters.

Other venues in the surrounding area and further afield will also be used, for the 61 sports on the Games programme.

Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center

Chun'an

Fuyang

Binjiang

Gongshu

Lin'an

Linping

Qiantang

Shangcheng

Tonglu

Xiaoshan

Xihu

Yuhang

Shaoxing

Deqing

Jinhua

Ningbo

Wenzhou

[modal title="Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center" id="hangzhou-olympic-sports-center"]

The Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center in the middle of the city will be the focal sporting hub of the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games.

Its centerpiece is the Hangzhou Olympic Center Stadium, also known as the "Big Lotus", which will stage the Opening and Closing Ceremonies and athletics.

With a capacity of 80,000, the stadium covers a floor area of 229,000 square metres, comprising six floors and a basement.

It was completed in 2018 and has mainly hosted football matches since then.

Renovations have taken place in preparation for Hangzhou 2022.

The cluster is also home to the Hangzhou Olympic Center Aquatics Sports Arena, a new venue near to the main stadium which will stage swimming, artistic swimming and diving.

It features a design inspired by the Milky Way and space for 6,484 fans.

Also at the site is the Hangzhou Olympic Tennis Center, for both tennis and soft tennis.

The Hangzhou Olympic Center Squash Court will stage squash, and the Hangzhou Olympic Center Gymnasium will host basketball medal matches and some preliminary games.

At the Hangzhou Olympic and International Expo Center here, a large "Jade Cong" themed building will serve as a training base.

[/modal]

[modal title="Chun'an" id="chun-an"]

Chun'an County, which is a two hour drive and around 150 kilometres from Hangzhou, will be the home of cycling at the 2022 Asian Games.

A new velodrome has been built for track cycling which has a capacity of 3,040, while road cycling, mountain bike and BMX will also be held on courses in Chun'an.

The venue cluster is just two kilometres from a satellite Athletes' Village, one of four which will complement the main Village in Hangzhou.

As well as the cycling events, Chun'an will also be the location for marathon swimming and triathlon.

It is the home of Thousand Islets Lake, also known as Qiandao Lake, where athletes will take to the water.

The lake is a major tourist attraction.   

[/modal]

[modal title="Fuyang" id="fuyang"]

Fuyang District is located to the south-west of Hangzhou, and is around 55 kilometres from the city centre.

It will be home to sports including canoe slalom, canoe sprint and rowing which will take place at the Fuyang Water Sports Center.

This venue is located to the north of Dongzhou Island and has a design based on the "Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains", one of the few surviving works by Chinese painter Huang Gongwang.

Basketball matches will also take place at Fuyang Sports Center Gymnasium, while archery will be at the Fuyang Yinhu Sports Center Archery Field.

Shooting will take place at the Fuyang Yinhu Sports Center Shooting Range and the Fuyang Yinhu Sports Center Stadium will stage modern pentathlon.

Archery, shooting and modern pentathlon will take place on a site of 67 acres.

On the southern and eastern walls of the shooting complex, 34,000 pieces of rotary shutters have been set up to present Huang's painting.

[/modal]

[modal title="Binjiang" id="binjiang"]

Binjiang District is located in central Hangzhou, just to the south of the river and close to the Sports Center Park.

Badminton will be hosted here during the Asian Games, at the Binjiang Gymnasium.

The venue was a major project in the city in 2015 and cost 454 million yuan.

There is space for 5,000 fans, with the arena previously hosting Chinese Basketball Association side Zhejiang Golden Bulls.

Binjiang Gymnasium was chosen as the "demonstration venue" for Hangzhou 2022.

This means it is considered the "standard-setter" other venues due to be used at the Games need to meet.

A test event was held there in September 2020. 

[/modal]

[modal title="Gongshu" id="gongshu"]

Gongshu District lies in the northern part of Hangzhou city centre and is home to the Gongshu Canal Sports Park cluster.

The park is the largest newly-built Asian Games venue in the urban area of Hangzhou.

It has been designed by Winka Dubbeldam, a Dutch-American architect.

Venues have been split between two halves of the park and are connected with a sunken shopping mall.

The environment is a key part of the project with wetlands restored and natural cooling systems used for the buildings.

Gongshu Canal Sports Park Hockey Field will host hockey, with boxing at Hangzhou Gymnasium.

Esports will make its Asian Games debut here at the Xiacheng District Esports Venue, which has 4,500 seats, while breaking will also make its maiden appearance at the Gongshu Canal Sports Park Gymnasium.

Table tennis will share this venue with breaking. It has 7,500 seats and an appearance based on a jade cong from the Liangzhu culture. 

[/modal]

[modal title="Lin'an" id="lin-an"]

Located to the west of Hangzhou, Lin'an will be the host of both taekwondo and wrestling at the 2022 Asian Games.

Both sports will be held at Lin'an Sports and Culture Center.

Lin'an is around 50 kilometres away from Hangzhou.

The venue has a capacity of more than 5,000.

It was completed in 2015 and has a design based on the landscape of mountains and rivers.

[/modal]

[modal title="Linping" id="linping"]

Linping District is located to the north-east of Hangzhou City Centre, around 25 kilometres away.

The Linping Sports Center Gymnasium will stage both karate and volleyball during Hangzhou 2022.

It has space for 4,300 fans.

Also included at the site is the Linping Sports Center Stadium, which has a capacity of 10,200 and will be one of the venues for football.

Both venues reopened in September 2021 after reconstruction and expansion.

A swimming pool and training centre are also part of the complex.

[/modal]

[modal title="Qiantang" id="qiantang"]

Qiantang is a district in Hangzhou which straddles the river of the same name.

The district is home to Zhejiang Gongshang University which will host handball at its cultural and sports center.

It features two arenas, with one to be used for competition and the other for warm-ups, with both resembling a pair of sunflowers.

Work on the competition venue was completed in October 2021.

Elsewhere, a new UFO shaped building at Hangzhou Dianzi University will stage fencing.

This will boast more than 5,000 seats.

Roller sports will also take place at the Qiantang Roller Sports Center.

Construction here began in 2019.

Its design combines cultural elements from West Lake, Hangzhou folklore, silk and tea.

The venue can be lit up with multiple colours.

[/modal]

[modal title="Shangcheng" id="shangcheng"]

Shangcheng District is the county seat of Hangzhou and is located in the heart of the city centre, close to West Lake.

Football matches will be held here, at the Shangcheng Sports Center Stadium.

The district will also be the home of mind sports with bridge, chess, go and xiangqi contested at the Hangzhou Chess Institute.

[/modal]

[modal title="Tonglu" id="tonglu"]

Tonglu is located around 120 kilometres to the south-west of Hangzhou, which is around a two hour drive.

The county will stage equestrian at the Asian Games at the new Tonglu Equestrian Center.

Construction began in September 2020 close to the town of Yaolin, with around 364 million yuan being invested.

Horses will be flown to Hangzhou and taken to Tonglu through a "biodiversity route".

This is part of an equine disease free zone, designed to ensure the safety of the horses.

[/modal]

[modal title="Xiaoshan" id="xiaoshan"]

Xiaoshan District is located to the south of the river in central Hangzhou, and will be home to the main Athletes' Village.

The Xiaoshan Campus Gymnasium at Zhejiang Normal University will be one of the venues for handball, and features a "water curtain" exterior.

Weightlifting will be held at the Xiaoshan Sports Center Gymnasium, with the Xiaoshan Sports Center Stadium one of the locations for football.

The stadium can be lit up from the outside.

Elsewhere, the Linpu Gymnasium has been reconstructed and expanded and boasts more than 2,700 seats.

It will host judo, ju-jitsu and kurash.

The Guali Culture and Sports Center has also been upgraded, and will stage kabaddi and wushu.

[/modal]

[modal title="Xihu" id="xihu"]

Xihu District lies in the centre of Hangzhou and contains the famous West Lake.

Golf will take centre stage here, at the West Lake International Golf Course.

The Yellow Dragon Sports Center is also located here, which includes a 52,000-seat stadium which will be used for football.

Twin towers at the stadium are equipped with projection light shows, which mean matches can be beamed onto an external wall to be watched by anyone in the area.

The site also includes the Yellow Dragon Sports Center Gymnasium which will be used for gymnastics.

Water polo will be staged at the Yellow Dragon Aquatics Center and basketball will be played at Zijingang Campus Gymnasium.

Cricket will also find its home here, at the Pingfeng Campus Cricket Field.

[/modal]

[modal title="Yuhang" id="yuhang"]

Yuhang District lies to the north-east of Hangzhou, around a 35 minute drive and 25 kilometres away.

It will be the home of rugby sevens at the Asian Games, which will take place at Cangqian Campus Stadium at Hangzhou Normal University.

The stadium has been upgraded and was the first Games venue to pass the completion acceptance procedure in Zhejiang province. 

Volleyball matches will take place at Cangqian Campus Gymnasium.

This venue has also been upgraded in anticipation of Hangzhou 2022.

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Shaoxing is a city situated on Hangzhou Bay which lies around 65 kilometres to the south-east of Hangzhou. Driving time between the two cities is around an hour and 15 minutes.

Five sports will be held in Shaoxing, making it the largest host city outside of Hangzhou itself.

Sport climbing will be held at the Yangshan Rock Climbing Center, which has a design inspired by a silk cocoon. 

The newly-built Shaoxing Baseball Sports Culture Center has become the largest venue in China for international baseball and softball.

Basketball matches will also be held here, at the Shaoxing Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium, as well as volleyball at China Textile City Sports Center Gymnasium.

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Deqing is a city to the north of Hangzhou, which lies around 45 kilometres away and a one hour drive.

However, it is only 10 minutes away by high speed rail.

The city will host volleyball matches at the Asian Games at the Deqing Sports Center Gymnasium.

This arena has a snail shaped interior.

The 3x3 basketball tournaments will also be held in Deqing.

A bandstand like structure will be formed at Deqing Geographic Information Park.

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Jinhua is a major city of more than seven million people. It is around 185 kilometres to the south of Hangzhou.

Two sports will be held here at Jinhua Sports Center - Sepaktakraw and football. 

Sepaktakraw will take place at Jinhua Sports Center Gymnasium, while football will be split across two venues.

These are the Jinhua Sports Center Stadium, which has a capacity of 30,000, and Jinhua Campus Field, which is a part of Zhejiang Normal University.

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More than nine million people live in Ningbo, a major coastal city lying on Hangzhou Bay.

It is situated around 155 kilometres to the east of Hangzhou.

Ningbo will host both sailing and beach volleyball at the Asian Games, and the city will also host a satellite Athletes' Village.

Sailing will take place at the newly-built Zhejiang Ocean Sports Center.

The facility was finished in March 2021.

A beach volleyball stadium has also been built for the Games in the Donghai Banbianshan tourist area.

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[modal title="Wenzhou" id="wenzhou"]

Wenzhou is a port city which lies more than 300 kilometres to the south of Hangzhou in the southeastern part of Zhejiang province.

It is home to more than nine million people.

The city was named as "Famous City of Dragon Boat Race in China" by the General Administration of Sport of China in 2012, and will host dragon boat racing at Hangzhou 2022.

It will take place at the Wenzhou Dragon Boat Sports Center.

Two stadiums in Wenzhou will also be used for football.

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The host city of the 2022 Asian Games is a mixture of the old and new, with memories of its ancient past combining with a high-tech modern society. It boasts a distinct culture, famous sights and welcoming people.

Where is Hangzhou?

Located close to the Pacific Ocean in Eastern China, Hangzhou is the capital of Zhejiang Province. 

It is the fourth largest metropolitan area in the country and is home to a population of more than 13 million people.

The population of the city itself is around nine million.

Hangzhou is around 100 miles from Shanghai and sits on the Qiantang River, which stretches for 285 miles and enters the Pacific in Hangzhou Bay.

It sits at the southern end of the Grand Canal, the largest canal in the world which runs for more than 1,100 miles to Beijing.

Summers in Hangzhou are hot and humid, while winters are cool and dry.

Temperatures can rise to more than 33 degrees centigrade in July and drop to around eight degrees in January.

The city is served by Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport which is just nine miles from the city centre.

Flights depart for cities such as Tokyo, Seoul, Osaka, Singapore, Madrid, Amsterdam and Doha, as well as more than 50 Chinese cities.

Thirty cities in China have direct rail services to Hangzhou, while there is also a long-distance bus station.

Sister cities of Hangzhou around the world include Boston in the United States, Leeds in England, Nice in France, Cape Town in South Africa, Budapest in Hungary and Canberra in Australia.

In 2016, Hangzhou hosted the G20 Summit.

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The Ancient Capital

Hangzhou is one of China's ancient capitals, with the city previously known as both Hangchew and Hangchow before taking its current name in the year 589.

From 907 it was the capital of Wuyue, a coastal Kingdom which lasted until 960. 

In 1127, Hangzhou became the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty, an era which stretched for more than 150 years. 

During this period the city flourished and became a key 12th and 13th century centre for trade and the arts.

A number of scholars, artists and poets came to live in Hangzhou during this time.

In 1170, the population was said to number around 450,000 and Hangzhou was believed to be the largest city in the world by 1180.

A huge fire in 1237 destroyed nearly 30,000 buildings, before the region was conquered by the Mongols in 1279.

Hangzhou had initially been founded in the year 200 by the Qin Dynasty.

A city wall was constructed under the Sui Dynasty in 591.

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The Grand Canal

Hangzhou is the southern endpoint of the Grand Canal, which is also known as the Jing–Hang Grand Canal in China.

The canal is the longest in the world, and stretches for 1,104 miles to capital city Beijing in the north.

Major cities connected by the canal include Tianjin, Changzhou, Wuxi and Suzhou, while it travels through Hebei, Shandong, Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces.

It connects five of China's main river basins, including the two longest rivers in China - the Yellow River and the Yangtze River.

It was constructed in various sections from the fifth century BC onwards, with the work described as the "most extensive civil engineering project prior to the industrial revolution".

The canal was then rebuilt by the Sui dynasty and was connected to Hangzhou by the year 610.

More than 3.1 million slaves and criminals were reportedly forced by Emperor Yang to build the canal, with 2.5 million dying due to disease and overwork.

The canal became a vital part of China's communication network and economy, being used to transport grain, rice and other materials from north to south and vice versa.

It is sometimes called "The Emperor's Canal" due to its strategic importance to China's leaders.

Others have described it as one of two miracles of classical China, along with The Great Wall.

The canal is still in use today and has the status of a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site.

In Hangzhou, the canal is a popular tourist attraction and is blessed with stunning architecture and a beautiful landscape.

Locals and visitors alike often take to the canal on boats.

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West Lake

West Lake is the most famous site in Hangzhou and is known for its outstanding natural beauty.

Like the Grand Canal, it is a UNESCO Heritage Site.

The freshwater lake was described by the Sui Dynasty as "a paradise on water or water in paradise".

It has a circumference of 15 kilometres and is located in the centre of Hangzhou.

A number of pagodas, temples and gardens are situated around the lake, which is one of China's most well-known tourist attractions.

It has inspired emperors, poets and artists for centuries who have been left captivated by its "beauty and divine charisma".

Four islands are located within the lake, with three of these artificial.

It is divided into five different sections, by three different causeways, and it takes about five hours to walk around.

Major attractions are Leifeng Pagoda, an octagonal pagoda with five storeys, and the zig-zag shaped Long Nine Turns Bridge.

Wu Hill features a seven-floor high tower where there are tremendous views of the lake, while Solitary Hill is a volcano island which at least three emperors have built palaces on. 

Ten different sights are described as "must sees" when visiting West Lake.

This includes "Three Pools Mirroring the Moon", "Lotus in the Breeze at the Winding Courtyard", "Spring Dawn on the Su Causeway", "Autumn Moon over a Calm Lake", "Listening Orioles Singing in the Willows", "View Fish in the Flower Harbour", "Evening Sunshine over Leifeng Pagoda", "Evening Bells at the Nanping Mountain", "Twin Peaks Piercing the Clouds" and "Melting Snow on Broken Bridge".

In 1089, a long dike across West Lake was constructed by Su Shi, to help farmers battling against drought.

At the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games, golf will be played at the West Lake International Golf Course.

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Marco Polo

Famed Venetian explorer and writer Marco Polo was fascinated by Hangzhou during his travels in Asia, and now has a permanent link to the city.

He visited many times during the Yuan Dynasty, which lasted between 1271 and 1368, and was instantly won over.

Polo described the city as "beyond dispute the finest and the noblest in the world", and also "the most magnificent and beautiful in the world" and the "city of heaven".

"The number and wealth of the merchants, and the amount of goods that passed through their hands, was so enormous that no man could form a just estimate thereof," he said.

Polo was one of the first westerners to visit Hangzhou and has been honoured with a statue in the city, which stands near West Lake.

He was fascinated by Chinese culture and the technological advances of the time, but few back in Europe at first believed what he reported.

His book Il Milione described his journeys.

International traveller Leif Almö followed in Polo's footsteps and also agreed that Hangzhou was a place of great beauty.

He wrote the lyrics to a song called "Hangzhou" as a tribute to the city.

It is sung in English and has been adopted by the Visit Hangzhou website where it is available to listen for free.

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The home of silk

Hangzhou is a huge centre for silk and has produced the luxury material for centuries. 

It is said that you can buy silk on every street corner in the city.

A sign when you leave the railway station says "Travel all the way to Hangzhou, half for the West Lake, half for the silk".

By 1368, Hangzhou was said to be the centre of the silk industry in China and it was imported to other countries using the Silk Road.

Marco Polo's visits to the city are also said to have helped westerners discover silk from the country, which has been appreciated ever since.

In China, silk from Hangzhou is described as "colourful clouds in the sky".

It is famous for its soft texture, shiny colours and "fine smooth feel".

Silkworm farming still takes place in Hangzhou, with Hangzhou Silk Town the largest silk market in China.

This contains more than 600 shops which sell a wide variety of clothes and other crafts.

China National Silk Museum is also located in Hangzhou, and is the largest museum of its type in the world.

Situated at West Lake, the museum's shop has the largest collection of silk in the city and sells it by the metre.

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The Green Queen of tea

Hangzhou is famous for Longjing tea, which is an important part of the city's economy and culture.

The green tea is more than 1,200 years old and is known as dragon well tea or the "green queen".

It is regarded as one of the most famous teas in China and is currently grown on plantations surrounding West Lake.

Also known as "golden card", the tea has a strong fragrance and a sweet flavour.

Tourists today can visit Longjing Village, which is close to Hangzhou's city centre, or sip Longjing in various tea houses.

The tea is still largely made by hand and is known as one of the "China Famous Teas" - a title only given to the very best products.

Fertile soil, pure water and the climate are said to provide perfect conditions for the tea to be grown.

Longjing is named after the village of the same name, which also means "dragon well".

According to legend, this was named after water in a well which twisted like a dragon when it rained heavily.

The very best samples of Longjing are said to be worth more than gold.

The China National Tea Museum is also located in Hangzhou, and features its own plantation.

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People, cuisine and culture

The people in Hangzhou speak with their own distinct dialect, which is a member of the Wu Chinese language family.

Traditional Mandarin is also widely spoken.

As a city which is surrounded by water, with the Pacific Ocean to the east and West Lake and the river to the west, seafood is popular.

River fishes are regularly eaten, as well as prawns stir-fried in Longjing tea which are famously served at Lou Wai Lou restaurant.

In general, Hangzhou cuisine is said to be more sweet rather than savoury. 

A popular dish is Dongpo pork - belly pork served in a thick gravy.

The China Academy of Art was founded in Hangzhou in 1928, and the city still boasts three of its four campuses.

Opera is popular and is performed in many theatres in the city.

Major festivals which take place in Hangzhou include the Mid Autumn Festival, where people observe a full moon and eat "moon cakes" - also called "reunion cakes".

This is due to the full moon being a symbol of families reuniting. 

A dragon boat racing festival is also held at Jiang village, where traditional races take place on the river.

Another major gathering is the Hangzhou Chaoshan Plum Blossom Festival.

Quyuan Garden features 200 different species of lotus flowers, while Zhejiang Library houses a collection of nearly 80,000 books which is considered to be a treasure of the Chinese people.

A popular destination is Song Dynasty Village, which transports visitors back to the Southern Song Dynasty which was in place between 1127 and 1279.

People are dressed in costumes from the time, while there are historical performances and demonstrations by acrobats.

The Village also has an indoor theatre with 3,000 seats where "spectacular" shows take place.

Yu Fei, an acclaimed warrior during the Southern Song Dynasty, is honoured with a tomb and shrine at the foot of Qixia Hill.

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A city of cyclists

Hangzhou is a city of cyclists and is home to the first public bicycle project in China.

The scheme, called Hangzhou Public Bicycle, owns more than 116,000 bikes and riding is free for the first hour.

As of December 2021, there were more than 5,100 bike points in Hangzhou, and the maximum daily rental figure was 473,000.

The cumulative rental figure was above 1.17 billion and the free use rate was above 96 per cent.

Hangzhou was named as one of the eight best cities in the world for a public bicycle service by the BBC Travel Channel.

The system works using smartcards and a smartphone app.

Due to the popularity of the scheme, riders often found that the bike points were full when trying to return their cycle.

To help combat this, the city introduced smart lock technology in 2018 which allows users to park bikes in dedicated areas next to the docks if space is unavailable.

West Lake is considered as one of the best cycling spots in China.

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Alibaba, the internet city and a cashless society

Alibaba Group, a huge mega-company with interests in areas including the internet, retail and technology, was founded by Jack Ma in Hangzhou in 1999.

The organisation is now a worldwide partner of the International Olympic Committee and it still has headquarters in the city.

Alibaba's mobile app for payments, Alipay, is a key part of Hangzhou life.

People in Hangzhou rarely use cash and it has been described as a "cashless city".

The majority of transactions take place using Alipay, with all of the buses and most of the supermarkets, taxis and restaurants accepting it.

According to China Highlights, Hangzhou became the largest "mobile payment city" in the world.

Cash, however, can still be used by visitors and tourists.

Hangzhou has become a technological hub with key industries including IT, in particular areas such as e-commerce, cloud-computing and digital security.

It has been described as an "internet city" with the slogan for the Asian Games - Heart to Heart, @Future - referencing this by including the @ symbol.

Forbes has rated Hangzhou as the best commercial city in mainland China.

According to the Hurun Global Rich List 2021, the city ranks eighth in the world for the most billionaires living there, with 66.

Hangzhou is also considered as a major centre for scientific research.

Major universities include Zhejiang University, a top 100 comprehensive public research university in the world, as well as Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Zhejiang A&F University, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University and China Jiliang University.

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Sporting events and Olympic champions

Hangzhou has been a host of major sporting events and is the home city of many Olympic gold medallists.

In 2018, the city staged the World Short Course Swimming Championships.

Matches during the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup were also played there.

Swimming has been a successful sport for the city, with three-time Olympic gold medallist Sun Yang among those to be born there.

Ye Shiwen, who won two golds at London 2012, and Luo Xuejuan, a champion at Athens 2004, are other swimmers from the city to top an Olympic podium.

Badminton player Chen Yufei, the women's singles champion at Tokyo 2020, is from Hangzhou.

Gymnast Lou Yun, who won the vault gold at both Los Angeles 1984 and Seoul 1988, and LA shooting champion Wu Xiaoxuan, are other champions from the city.

Li Zhangyu, a four-time Paralympic cycling champion, is also among the city's sporting stars.