An archaeologist cleans up a recently-unearthed relic. [Photo by Zhang Zhibing/Hangzhou Daily]

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021–25), Hangzhou stepped up efforts to protect and harness cultural heritage through archaeology-led urban planning.

Over the five-year period, the city carried out 6,278 archaeology pre-assessment tasks, unearthed more than 6,000 cultural relic specimens, and completed the restoration of 1,175 artifacts.

Hangzhou was among the first in Zhejiang province to implement a "survey before land transfer" system, ensuring archaeological protection is built into major construction and land-use projects.

To improve efficiency, archaeology workstations were set up across nine districts and counties, enabling faster on-site response. In 2025 alone, the city undertook 2,528 archaeology-related projects, a record high.

These efforts have led to a series of major discoveries, including sites linked to the Wuyue Kingdom and the Southern Song Dynasty (1127–1279) capital Lin'an. Several projects were recognized among China's most significant archaeological findings, helping to fill in academic gaps and shed new light on ancient urban planning and human-environment relations.

In addition to excavation, Hangzhou has focused on preserving findings and using them to benefit the public. Thousands of relics have been catalogued and restored, while archaeological results are increasingly being integrated into museums, heritage parks, and urban renewal projects.

Looking ahead to the next five-year plan, Hangzhou aims to further refine its archaeology-led protection efforts, enhance restoration techniques, and expand public engagement — ensuring more relics are brought to light.