FEB 1 | HANGZHOU
But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? – ROMANS 10:14
Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province in eastern China, boasts a history spanning over 2,200 years. Once the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127–1279), it was a political, cultural, and economic center and renowned as a hub for arts and literature. This period established its legacy as a prosperous and culturally rich city. Hangzhou became famous globally after Marco Polo praised it as “the finest and most splendid city in the world.”
Culturally, Hangzhou is celebrated for its picturesque West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has been a source of artistic and poetic inspiration for centuries, deeply intertwined with Chinese cultural identity. Hangzhou has long been famous for its silk industry and is one of China’s key producers of Longjing (Dragon Well) tea, a highly prized green tea. Hangzhou is the home of the Lingyin Temple, a significant Buddhist site founded in the 4th century.
Hangzhou is considered an oasis for religion. While Buddhism is the predominant faith, Taoism, Islam, and Christianity are tolerated. The region’s most famous universities and hospitals were founded by Catholic orders and the Presbyterian Missions. While there was some persecution of Christians in the early 2000s, several Protestant and Catholic churches now meet openly.
Today, Hangzhou blends its rich heritage with modern innovation as a major tech and business hub in China.
Hangzhou is considered an oasis for religion. While Buddhism is the predominant faith,
Taoism, Islam, and Christianity are tolerated.
HOW YOU CAN PRAY
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Pray for continued freedom for believers to gather and worship.
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Pray that the saving grace of Jesus will be effectively shared with young workers who have moved to Hangzhou, and that they will take this message back to their hometowns.
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Pray for wisdom for the medical staff and teachers in hospitals and universities as they serve the people of Hangzhou, and for discernment in knowing when to share their faith in Jesus.
