Nestled in Hangzhou’s western district, Xixi National Wetland Park offers a tranquil escape where ancient traditions meet ecological innovation. As China’s first national wetland park, this 10.08-square-kilometer marvel weaves urban development, agricultural heritage, and cultural preservation into a living tapestry of biodiversity.
Visitors glide through waterways flanked by centuries-old villages, where silk production once thrived and the melodies of Yueju Opera still resonate. The park’s dragon boat traditions trace back to its roots in the Liangzhu Culture – a Neolithic civilization dating over 5,000 years – making it a living museum of China’s watery landscapes.
Ecologists praise Xixi’s role in urban sustainability, with its complex ecosystem supporting over 700 plant species and serving as a crucial stop for migratory birds. For business professionals eyeing China’s green development, the park demonstrates how ecological conservation can coexist with cultural tourism.
As dusk falls, lantern-lit boat tours reveal why poets have celebrated these wetlands for millennia. With Hangzhou positioning itself as a global innovation hub, Xixi stands as both an environmental safeguard and a bridge between China’s past and future.
