To mark China’s 20th annual Cultural and Natural Heritage Day, reporters visited three of Hangzhou’s UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites—West Lake, the Grand Canal (Hangzhou section), and the Liangzhu Ancient City Ruins—to explore how the city is innovating in the protection, inheritance, and revitalization of its cultural heritage.
“The shimmering lake delights on sunny days; the misty mountains enchant in the rain.” Su Shi’s poetic depiction of West Lake continues to resonate today, as this centuries-old cultural landscape enters a new era through digital innovation. With a legacy spanning over two thousand years, West Lake now exemplifies the seamless integration of heritage and modern technology.
West Lake at dusk, bathed in evening light
According to Chen Yunfei, Director of the West Lake World Heritage Monitoring and Management Center, West Lake has become a model for smart heritage tourism by leveraging technologies such as the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence. Key scenic spots like Mid-Lake Pavilion (湖心亭) and Prince Bay (太子湾) are equipped with 24-hour automated monitoring systems that safeguard water quality year-round, maintaining an average water transparency of over 80 centimeters. The “underwater forest” remains clearly visible beneath the surface.
“We’ve capitalized on Hangzhou’s leadership in the digital economy to build an integrated and intelligent public data platform,” Chen explained. “Our five core hubs—including IoT Sensing, Intelligent Computing, and Spatial-Temporal Information Centers—support over 20 practical applications, from cultural heritage preservation to ecological monitoring and emergency management. These experiences have positioned the ‘West Lake Model’ as a benchmark for scenic area digitization nationwide.”
As the evening breeze brushes across the lake, carrying with it the coolness of the water and the scent of surrounding greenery, visitors feel their minds ease and spirits lift. Indeed, many say that the magic of West Lake lies in its ability to soothe life’s daily stresses.
Reporters then turned to the Grand Canal in Hangzhou—the longest and most ambitious ancient waterway in the world, which still plays an important role today.
Fang Youqiang, Director of the Integrated Protection Center for the Hangzhou Section of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, shared: “The Grand Canal connects China’s north and south, links inland rivers to the sea, and has long fostered cultural unity and exchange between East and West. It’s a powerful symbol of national identity and a treasured emblem of Chinese heritage.”
International students with hand-painted fans near Gongchen Bridge, Hangzhou.
At the China Knife, Scissors, and Sword Museum along the canal, French student Théo Lexcellent was busy painting his own traditional oil-paper umbrella. He arrived in China earlier this year to study Mandarin and chose to settle in Hangzhou, drawn by its natural beauty and cultural richness.
“The Grand Canal is as vital to China as the Seine is to France,” Théo remarked. “Waterways are essential to a country’s development, and making this umbrella myself gave me a much deeper appreciation of the canal’s heritage.”
Yang Jianwu, President of the Zhejiang Cultural Heritage Protection and Utilization Association and Distinguished Expert at the Zhejiang Urban Governance Research Center, emphasized: “Gaining World Heritage status brings a site into global view and within a rigorous framework of professional conservation. Strict protection standards ensure the preservation of core values and material integrity, securing a foundation for the continued legacy of human civilization.”
Foreign tourists experience jade making techniques in the experience workshop of Liangzhu Ancient City Ruins Park in Hangzhou, Zhejiang.
In the interactive workshop at the Liangzhu Ancient City Ruins Park, Russian student Angie was completely absorbed in polishing a piece of jade. “These aren’t just decorative objects,” she said. With summer break approaching, Angie plans to return to Russia in two weeks.“Through these artifacts, I hope to share the story of this World Heritage site with my family.”
As a powerful testament to China’s 5,000-year civilization, the protection of the Liangzhu site holds extraordinary significance.
According to Sun Haibo, Director of the Cultural Relics and Heritage Division of the Liangzhu Site Management Committee: “The Liangzhu site sits in the humid Jiangnan region. These environmental challenges have pushed us to continually develop new technologies to provide targeted and effective conservation for the site's earthen architecture.”
Interview with Sun Haibo, Director of the Cultural Relics and Heritage Management Bureau of the Liangzhu Site Management Area Management Committee in Hangzhou
To address these challenges, the committee has established a specialized laboratory focused on earthen site preservation in humid environments. This advanced facility covers a range of disciplines, including construction technique analysis, restoration technology development, simulation modeling, monitoring and diagnostics, and biochemical research. “We look forward to deepening collaboration with more research institutions around the world,” Sun added, “to jointly advance innovation in earthen site preservation.”
“Cultural heritage is the soul of a city. To protect it is to safeguard our roots and spirit,” said Gao Xiaohui, Party Secretary and Director of the Hangzhou Bureau of Gardens and Cultural Relics.
“We hope this special occasion inspires all sectors of society to join hands as guardians, inheritors, and ambassadors of cultural heritage.” (End)
