(by Professor Zheng Changzhong at noon on May 25, 2025 during the journey from the hotel to West Lake, Hangzhou)

Hello, dear journalists!

We have entered the West Lake scenic area. Now you can see lush trees and surrounding mountains. West Lake covers an area of 6.38 square kilometers. Although not large, there is a saying: “Hangzhou is in West Lake, and West Lake is in Hangzhou” — Hangzhou is renowned because of West Lake, which has long become the soul of the city.

Historically, multiple dynasties regarded Hangzhou as an important city, even establishing capitals here, and West Lake and Hangzhou have mutually shaped each other. Many of the folk legends related to West Lake that you saw in the Zhejiang Intangible Cultural Museum this morning are not just depictions of landscapes but also incorporate historical figures and people’s yearnings for life: classic love stories, as well as folk narratives about officials that carry wisdom in governance and the philosophy of harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature.

For example, later you will see Leifeng Pagoda. There is a poignant legend here: Bai Suzhen, a snake spirit who has cultivated into a human form, falls in love with a mortal named Xu Xian, but is regarded as an “evil spirit” by the monk Fa Hai and suppressed under Leifeng Pagoda. Later, their son becomes the top scholar in the imperial examination and offers sacrifices to the pagoda to rescue his mother. The story is a celebration of free love.

West Lake’s legends also include tributes to politicians. The Bai Causeway and Su Causeway in the lake are named in memory of the Tang Dynasty poet Bai Juyi and the Song Dynasty literary master Su Dongpo, respectively. When Bai Juyi served as the governor of Hangzhou, he organized locals to build embankments for easier transportation; Su Dongpo dredged the lake and built embankments to prevent floods during his term. These two causeways are not only practical water conservancy projects but also a testament to the people’s memory of honest officials’ dedication to the public.

West Lake has witnessed modern history as well. During the thawing of China-US relations in 1972, President Nixon and Premier Zhou Enlai held negotiations on a West Lake cruise ship, where some important agreements were finalized. The cruise ship we will board later is the same type used to receive state guests at that time. As you enjoy the lakeside scenery, you can feel the integration of natural beauty and historical heritage.

Alright, we have arrived at the pier and will board the ship shortly. Please take your personal belongings and follow the staff to board in an orderly manner. Later on the ship, you can get a close view of Leifeng Pagoda, Su Causeway, and other landscapes mentioned earlier. I hope you can appreciate both the charm of nature and the cultural warmth of this city amid West Lake’s beautiful scenery.

*The views and opinions expressed in the articles are solely those of the individual authors and do not reflect the position of the Secretariat of the Belt and Road Journalist Network.