2022 Asian Games: It's Hangzhou time

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As the 18th Asian Games came to an end on Sunday in Indonesia, the spotlight shifted to the 2022 edition of the multi-sport event, which will be hosted by Hangzhou, capital of China's eastern Zhejiang Province.

Following Beijing in 1990 and Guangzhou in 2010, Hangzhou will be the third Chinese city to host Asia's biggest sporting event.

How much do you know about Hangzhou?

Located 178 kilometers southwest of Shanghai, Hangzhou is one of China's six ancient capitals.

With a history of more than 2,000 years, the city is full of historical and cultural heritage, and is famous for its natural scenery.

Italian traveler Marco Polo described Hangzhou as the "finest and most splendid city in the world."

West Lake, Hangzhou. /VCG Photo

The beauty of West Lake has inspired countless poets and painters throughout history. And you can't leave without trying Longjing shrimp, one of Hangzhou's signature dishes.

The dynamic city is also home to many of China's tech companies, including e-commerce giant Alibaba.

After hosting the G20 summit in 2016, the city is gearing up for Asia's biggest sporting event.

What can you expect from the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou?

So far, 34 events have been scheduled for the 2022 Games, which will run from Sept. 10 to 25, and eSports will be a major highlight.

After joining the 2018 Games as a demonstration sport, eSports will become a medal event in 2022.

Apart from Hangzhou, three other cities in Zhejiang Province, namely Wenzhou, Jinhua and Ningbo, will also host some events.

The first batch of 33 venues officially began construction in October 2017, and they should be ready for operation by March 2021.

The Hangzhou Olympic and International Expo Center will be the main venue.

Nicknamed the "White Lotus," its main stadium can seat 80,000.

Its gymnasium and natatorium, with a total floor space of 397,000 square meters, can house 18,000 and 6,000 spectators, respectively.

The emblem launch ceremony in Hangzhou, on Aug. 6, 2018. /VCG Photo

On Aug. 6, 2018, organizers unveiled the "Surging Tides" emblem for the 2022 Asian Games.

The Qiantang River and its tidal bore are the core elements of the emblem, which shows off Hangzhou's natural specialties and echoes the city's innovative, pioneering and enterprising spirit.

Hangzhou has also vowed to improve its railway system, expand its airport and provide better public service, aiming to host a "green, smart, economical and ethical" Asian Games.

Script writer/Video editor: Xu Xiaotong

Voice-over: Matthew Watson