World Heritage

Hangzhou is home to the West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou, the Grand Canal, and the Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City. Together, these world heritage sites showcase Chinese civilization, spread Zhejiang's culture and reveal Hangzhou's charm.

West Lake is a lake located in the west of Hangzhou City. The West Lake Scenic Area centered on the West Lake has already been designated as a national AAAAA (the highest level) scenic area in China. West Lake is connected to the prosperous downtown of Hangzhou on one side and surrounded by mountains on the other three. The scenic area covers an area of nearly 60 square kilometers, with the lake covering an area of 6.38 square kilometers. The scenic area is blessed with verdant mountains, crystal-clear water, and dense forests, contributing to the reputation of Hangzhou as the "Paradise on Earth". On June 24, 2011, the West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

With a history of 2,500 years, the Grand Canal has been excavated in sections since the Spring and Autumn period, passing through Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shandong, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang provinces. It is a long artificial canal. The Grand Canal is a great project created by ancient China and an important cultural heritage that is still alive today. On June 22, 2014, the Grand Canal was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Five thousand years ago, a spectacular city arose in the Yuhang District of Hangzhou. Time put the ancient city to sleep and it was not until 1936 that Shi Xin'geng first discovered the Liangzhu civilization. After years of archaeological research, the ancient city has finally come to life, telling the world the story of 5,000 years ago. At the 43rd session of the World Heritage Committee held in Baku, the capital of the Republic of Azerbaijan, on July 6, 2019, the Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City in Hangzhou was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.