Shangcheng District of Hangzhou is promoting the "Caoqiao Pavilion" Butterfly Lovers Culture Exploration Zone via the new mode of "Culture + Space + International Exchange".

On September 4th, a visiting delegation led by Federico Sboarina, the Mayor of Verona, Italy came to Hangzhou. Accompanied by Qi Xiaohu, Member of CPC Hangzhou Municipal Standing Committee and Director of the Publicity Department of CPC Hangzhou Municipal Committee, Chen Guomei, Deputy Mayor of Hangzhou, they went to the Museum of Hangzhou Local Chronicles and Caoqiao Pavilion in Shangcheng District, where the story of Butterfly Lovers started. From a Hangzhou city map dating back to 749 years ago, to the top city of digital economy that leads the pace of China's development in the new era, the Museum of Hangzhou Local Chronicles showcases the beautiful landscapes and splendid culture of Hangzhou, as well as the flourishing culture of China and interesting living folk customs.

The Culture, Radio, and Television Sports Bureau of Shangcheng District borrows from the love story of Butterfly Lovers of Hangzhou, Romeo and Juliet of Verona as the entry point, through the mode of “Culture + Space + International Exchange”, creates a “Butterfly Lovers” culture exploration zone, which will subsequently promote the extension and development of cultural enterprises and the cultural consumption industry with "Caoqiao Pavilion" theme concept element.

In Italy, the story Romeo and Juliet of Verona is well-known, while in China, the Butterfly Lovers of Hangzhou, Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai are known as well. The classical love stories link the two cities to each other. 

This March, with the witness of the heads of state of China and Italy, Hangzhou and the ancient city of Verona jointly signed the Twinning Agreement between the two cities. Thus, the two "Capitals of Love" have opened the prelude to cultural exchanges.