Shaped during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), the “Ten Scenic Spots” include such fancy-inspiring settings as “Spring Dawn on Su Causeway,” “Three Pools Mirroring the Moon,” “Evening Bell Ringing at Nanping Hill” and so on. As models of landscape aesthetics, they became influential during the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), and even influenced East Asian countries. Literally all the ten places were named with 4-character phrases, and they present different arresting scenes meant to be viewed in certain seasons. As Lin Zhengqiu, head of the Institute of History and Culture of Hangzhou Normal University, remarked: “For instance, for ‘Spring Dawn on Su Causeway,’ you can see peach flowers and willow trees stretching along Su Causeway.”

What's more, the “Ten Scenic Spots” epitomize the Chinese philosophy that humans are an integral part of nature, emphasizing an ideal fusion and interaction between them. “A natural morality underpins the expectations Chinese philosophy holds for human spiritual development, and it is all embodied in landscape aesthetics,” Chen Tongbin commented. “Landscape aesthetics originated from the Chinese landscape paintings. Long ago, people used the Chinese landscape painting to refer to natural balance, and the desirable human temperament. The paintings didn’t originate from natural vistas; what stands behind these paintings is several thousand years of Chinese cultural history.”

The question of whether a foreigner, particularly a Westerner, could understand the cultural value of the West Lake Cultural Landscape became a big issue during the application for World Heritage recognition. Once Chen Tongbin accompanied a world heritage expert from Belgium on a visit to the West Lake, and they stood in the middle section of the Su Causeway, with willow trees dancing in the breeze and birds singing all around. Chen was intoxicated by the beauty there, and could not help commenting, “The scenery here is ‘a poem without words, and a painting with sounds.’ This is an aesthetic feature of Chinese landscape work.” The expert was astonished however, and replied, “I don’t get that feeling at all.” Then Chen explained, “Chinese and Western people have different cultural backgrounds and associated emotions. It’s hard for them to understand the outstanding universal value of the West Lake, especially people who have made no contact with traditional Chinese culture.”

During his first visit to the West Lake, Jukka Jokilehto, former evaluator of World Heritage Sites at ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites), remarked frankly, “There are over 1,000 picturesque lakes like the West Lake in my mother country Finland.” But after careful assessments of its water-hill layout, the numerous historical and cultural relics, and the former residences of people history made famous, he added sincerely, “Considering the cultural significance, the West Lake is quite unique.”

For Better Preservation

Since 2001, the Hangzhou municipal government has carried out preservation and rehabilitation work in preparation for its bid for World Heritage status. An integration program along its southern part and the preservation program on the west side were part of this. These programs are dramatically improving environmental conditions and preserving the relics. As Chen Tongbin pointed out, “Rehabilitation work for the ‘Ten Scenic Spots’ has been carried out in accordance with the relevant cultural heritage principles, ‘being authentic’ and ‘putting emphasis on integrity’ .”

Lin Zhengqiu told us the restoration of the “Ten Scenic Spots at the West Lake” was following the Scroll Painting of the Temporary Dwelling Palace at the West Lake for Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty. Although the “Ten Scenic Spots at the West Lake” first appeared in the Southern Song Dynasty, they reached their zenith during Emperor Kangxi’s reign (1661-1722) and Emperor Qianlong’s reign (1735-1795) in the Qing Dynasty.

Huang Zi, head of the Institute of Ancient Building Design and Research, who was responsible for the restoration of the “Ten Scenic Spots,” said, “Compared with the proposal of the comprehensive restoration according to the scroll painting, the revamp to some parts is more practical.” Because there’s not enough space to exactly restore it. And before they drafted the restoration plan, they did archeological research on every scenic spot. And “photographs taken during the Republican Period (1912 - 1949) are also important references.”

The restoration work has tried to avoid significant dismantlement. Even for a minor adjustment, the experts research it first and try to find conclusive evidence that it suits the purpose of restoring original conditions. Meanwhile, opinions submitted by the public have been considered as well. The details of a restoration plan are publicized in the newspaper or in a public area.

Talking about changes to the West Lake in recent years, the boatman Chen Liang, who carries tourists across it every day, can’t help but mention, “The water quality is much better now, never mind the historic sites. Oh, look, there are so many fish here.” The newly implemented water diversion project harnesses the sources of the West Lake, the Grand Canal and the Qiantang River. The water in the West Lake is effectively drained and replaced once a month, consuming a yearly water supply of up to 120 million cubic meters. The water treatment facilities drew compliment during the World Heritage Committee’s on-site assessment: it’s No. 1 in Asia.

The Soul of Hangzhou

The West Lake is perfectly blended into the landscape of Hangzhou. The round-the-lake park is open to local residents and tourists free of charge. The overwhelming West Lake Cultural Landscape is carried deep in the heart of every Hangzhou resident.