When Rachel Addy was first sent to Hangzhou at the age of 21, the then-design intern was deeply impressed by Chinese silk. "It's very light and comfortable to wear. The silk here is premier and soft," she said, clad in a dress of 100 percent silk which she bought in Hangzhou.

She also has another identity, as the founder of a nonprofit networking service that helps expats looking to start businesses in Hangzhou.

"Hangzhou is totally different now -- there are so many foreigners here. I feel so comfortable living here right now," she said.