Journalists from China and abroad traveled along the Hangzhou section of the Grand Canal on Sept 1, ahead of the G20 summit, n.cztv.com reported.

In addition to appreciating the canal’s natural beauty they also visited cultural centers such as the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal and the Hangzhou Arts and Crafts Museum to learn about local folk arts and history.

Locals like Liu Meiling were not shy in showing the hospitality of Hangzhou. Liu, born in 1952, graduated from Shanghai Foreign Studies University and is fluent in English. She returned to Hangzhou in 2011 after retirement and has been serving as a volunteer helping foreign visitors learn more about the city.

Apart from the natural scenery, journalists are also attracted by other Chinese elements." I love Chinese food and I'm eager to try some Hangzhou snacks," said Akbota Batyrkhan, a reporter from Kazakhstan national TV.

Scenic and informative routes have been identified for the foreign media. They express the themes of Innovative Hangzhou, Elegant Hangzhou and Beautiful Hangzhou. More points of interest are ready as well, themed with West Lake ecology, Hangzhou cross-border e-commerce, and Liangzhu culture to help the media learn more about the city and its economic and social development.

Other routes have also been prepared at nearby cities including Huzhou, Jiaxing and Shaoxing.

Journalists watch attentively as a lady manufactures an umbrella at the Hangzhou Arts and Crafts Museum in Hangzhou, the capital of East China's Zhejiang province, on Sept 1, ahead of the G20 summit. [Photo from n.cztv.com]