On June 24, 2020, the CPC Hangzhou Committee and the Hangzhou Municipal Government announced a monumental decision at the launching ceremony of the first Hangzhou West Lake Day: to pursue integrated conservation and environmental improvement of West Lake Scenic Area and Xixi National Wetland Park. Ushered in since then was a new era of joint revitalization of the West Lake and Xixi.

It has been a year since the initiative was first announced. To mark the progress during the period and celebrate the 10th anniversary of the inclusion of the West Lake on UNESCO World Heritage List, administrative authorities of the West Lake and Xixi provided multiple incentives for citizens to visit the two places on this year’s Hangzhou West Lake Day. On June 24, all scenic spots in West Lake Scenic Area and Xixi National Wetland Park (except the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon) were admission free, and that referred to altogether 17 attractions, namely Hangzhou Zoo, Hangzhou Botanical Garden, Mulan Mountain Tea Garden, Feilai Peak (Lingyin Temple not included), Guo’s Villa, Yue Fei Temple, Yellow Dragon Cave, Qian Wang Ancestral Hall, Six Harmonies Pagoda (a tour inside the pagoda would incur a fee), Hupao Park, Yunqi, City God Pavilion, Yuhuang Mountain, Wan Song Academy, Children's Park, the Former Residence of Hu Xueyan and Xixi National Wetland Park. And it should be noted here that citizens were required to make online reservation and registration in advance. Apart from all the aforementioned benefits, a street market will be open at Yongjin Park in West Lake Scenic Area from June 24 to 27 (16:00-20:30). For those interested in cultural and creative products of the West Lake and Xixi, items of China’s intangible cultural heritage and accessories in traditional Chinese style, the market will be a treasure trove for sure.