China is seldom out of the headlines, whether in Singapore or elsewhere. This has been particularly so this week in Singapore, what with China President Hu Jintao on a state visit to the island city, his first since he assumed China’s highest office in 2003.

Further, there is the excitement created by the impending arrival of a pair of precious pandas, Singapore’s first ever, on a 10-year loan from Sichuan, starting from 2011.

Singapore is the seventh nation to receive a pair of pandas from China, after Austria, Australia, Japan, Spain, Thailand and the United States.

This was followed by further buzz with the announcement that Singapore’s fourth university in the wings — named the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SU) and scheduled to open in 2011 — has signed a Memorandum of Understanding, with Zhejiang University to give SU students a chance to gain exposure of doing business in China.

Zheda, based in Hangzhou, is one of the most prestigious universities and ranks after Beijing University and Qinghua University in China.

Let me wax lyrical a little about Hangzhou.

With four seasons, Hangzhou offers a different experience for year-round visitors. As the capital of Zhejiang Province, it is an important transportation hub and centre for economic development.

Its prime location ensures its popularity for weekend retreats or short getaways, being less than two hours’ drive from Shanghai and easily accessible by road, rail or air.

One of Hangzhou’s most popular sites is West Lake, which encompasses historical pagodas built into the sweeping environment of lakes and hills.

In addition, the historic Xixi region is noted for its natural beauty — as evidenced in the writings of eminent Tang Dynasty poets. The famed Dragon Boat Festival in 1465 is also said to originate from here.

Today, the Xixi National Wetland Park offers a unique retreat to city dwellers from within China as well as international travellers, with its diverse offerings of ecology, culture and entertainment.

Within Xixi National Wetland Park, a ‘living water park’ has been preserved by recovery of wetland areas and restoration of ecological systems, paving the way for the establishment of fish ponds and reedbeds, and reintroduction of 270 biological specie such as persimmon, mulberry, bamboo, willow and camphor trees.

Guests may visit various attractions, including the Plum Villa, Autumn Snow Temple, Yanshui Fishing Villa, and Xixi Family House, which are located within the reserve, which provide the historical and cultural stories of the Hangzhou region.

It is within the wetland park that SGX-listed Banyan Tree has planted its fourth resort in China since 2005. Banyan Tree Hangzhou comes after Banyan Tree Ringha, Banyan Tree Lijiang and Banyan Tree Sanya.

Banyan Tree Hangzhou offers 36 water terraces and 35 villas –the most spacious to be found in Hangzhou — and is part of an integrated complex containing high-end hotels and conference centre, retail and entertainment, and residential facilities.

The resort is designed in Jiang Nan style, giving an authentic sense of place and  tranquillity. Starting from 120 square metres, each water terrace or villa reflects oriental design as well as contemporary amenities.

The development is within a 50-minute drive from Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, and 15-minute drive from downtown Hangzhou and West Lake.

Soft opening rates at Banyan Tree Hangzhou from Nov 1 to Dec 15: US$368++ (CNY2,500++) per night inclusive breakfast, in a Water Terrace for two persons. Guests who stay two consecutive nights and above will receive F&B credit of US$50, while those staying three consecutive nights and above will receive one complimentary 90-minute Banyan Tree Spa session worth about US$100.

Call the resort at +86 571 8586 0000, or email hangzhou@banyantree.com for reservations and inquiries.