Photo provided to Hangzhoufeel
Places
By Jin Yingying
Chanel brought its 2024/25 Métiers d’Art collection to Hangzhou on Dec 3, celebrating a key element of Gabrielle Chanel’s imaginative world: the Chinese lacquered screens that endlessly inspired her. These screens still adorn the walls of her private apartment at 31 Rue Cambon in Paris.
A promo film of the show features a poetic and modern journey directed by Wim Wenders, Chanel ambassadors Tilda Swinton, Xin Zhilei, and newly appointed Leah Dou, which brings this inspiration to life, drawing from Gabrielle Chanel’s deep admiration for these iconic lacquered screens.
The film takes us through scenes of West Lake, ancient streets, and tea gardens. Wenders beautifully captures Hangzhou’s natural landscape and cultural depth, seamlessly integrating Chanel’s elegance with modernity.
But do you know exactly where the landmark attractions are during this beautiful journey?
Longjing Village
The first place where the three protagonists meet in the short film is Longjing Village, specifically at the “Longjing 82” Creative Restaurant.
Longjing Village boasts a history of over 1,600 years and is famous worldwide for producing top-quality West Lake Longjing tea. Surrounded by mountains, the village is a sea of green, with lush tea fields and air rich with the scent of tea.
Su Causeway
The image frozen on Xin Zhilei’s iPad shows Su Causeway. The causeways of West Lake are famous in their own right. The Su and Bai causeways, running parallel and perpendicular, are almost synonymous with the beauty of West Lake across all seasons. In the film, the bridges that the ancient monk crosses by boat are also on Su Causeway: Yadi Bridge and Yingbo Bridge.
Three Pools Mirroring the Moon--Leifeng Pagoda
In one scene, both Leifeng Pagoda and Three Pools Mirroring the Moon appear together. The sunset over Leifeng Pagoda and the moon reflected in the water of Three Pools are cleverly blended into the lake and mountains.
Yuhu Bay--Wuzhuangyuan Memorial Gate
Yuhu Bay and Wuzhuangyuan Memorial Gate together form the “Three Stages of Yunshui Scenic Area.” Nearby, you can find several historic sites, including the memorial and tomb of Yu Qian, the former residence of Huang Gongwang, and Jihong Bridge.
Fenghuangshanjiao Road
Measuring only about 600 meters from Wansongling Road to Tiaozhuwan, Fenghuangshanjiao Road is one of the most vibrant and lively areas of Hangzhou, full of local flavor.
Yudai Qinghong Bridge
The main stage of the grand show was set in the Yuehu Lake area to the east of the Quyuan Fenghe Scenic Area. From a distance, the bridge resembles a belt, and when the weather is clear, its reflection in the water forms a rainbow arching across the lake, giving it the name Yudai Qinghong, or “Jade Belt Rainbow”.