Hangzhou Xixi Investment & Development Co., Ltd.: An International Tourism Complex Rooted in the Cultural Heritage of Xixi Waterways

Hu Wei, Vice Mayor of Hangzhou; Lu Qiang, Deputy Director of the Hangzhou Municipal Ecology and Environment Bureau; Gao Guofei, District Mayor of Xihu District; and Chai Wenle, Deputy District Mayor of Xihu District, accompanied the visit. Shan Min, Director of the Wetland Museum, provided a detailed overview of the Chinese Wetland Museum’s achievements in environmental protection education over the past few years, as well as the currently on display “Artisans – Waste Art Exhibition.” She also invited the guests present to join in eco-friendly craft activities, urging everyone to pay attention to waste sorting and to care for the Earth’s environment.

This experiential activity was held at the China Wetland Museum, Xixi National Wetland Park, and Jingzhou Primary School, corresponding respectively to environmental protection themed activities at educational bases, ecological experience activities, and green school environmental protection themed activities. As the first stop, as soon as the delegation stepped out of the vehicle, they were captivated by the vibrant atmosphere surrounding the museum. While walking into the museum, the delegation listened to Director Shan Min’s briefing on the basic information of the China Wetland Museum.

The China Wetland Museum covers an area of 20,200 square meters and officially opened to the public in November 2009. It is the only national-level specialized museum in China—approved by the State Forestry Administration—to be built with a wetland theme, integrating collection, research, exhibition, education, publicity, and recreation into a single, widely accessible institution. At the museum entrance, the delegation watched a promotional video about Xixi Wetland, then walked inside to explore the museum’s introductory hall and the China Wetlands Hall with great interest. They also took part in eco-friendly handicraft activities in the atrium.

The hand-drawn creative cultural products by Teacher Chen Wei of the School of Design and Art at Zhejiang Industrial University caught the attention of the visiting delegation. Black-and-white lines outline the “niutui” — a traditional Chinese architectural feature — allowing tradition to engage in dialogue with the present and the future. Just like a museum, here wetland folklore, the natural environment, and human activities do not exist in opposition to one another; instead, they have formed a mutually reinforcing, cyclically sustainable model.

The delegation walked and observed, listened to briefings, and frequently engaged in discussions with the relevant officials on topics such as ecological conservation, praising China’s efforts to protect its wetlands. Msuya and her group noted that the Chinese Wetland Museum employs a wide variety of exhibition methods and activities, which have played an excellent role in promoting wetland conservation and development. In particular, the “Voices of Wetland Guardians” installation in the museum’s atrium, along with the interactive exhibits at the waste‑art exhibition, left a deep impression on them—these initiatives not only disseminated scientific knowledge to the public but also further strengthened humanity’s sense of responsibility for protecting the ecosystem. In closing, Msuya wrote a message for World Environment Day on a paper crane; each of these cranes was crafted from recycled paper. Meanwhile, the red‑crowned crane is renowned as the “God of Wetlands,” symbolizing good fortune and auspiciousness.

It is reported that every year on June 5, the United Nations Environment Programme selects a member state to host World Environment Day celebrations, based on the world’s major environmental issues and environmental hotspots of the current year. This year’s World Environment Day focuses on the theme of “Air Pollution,” with the Chinese slogan: “The Battle for Blue Skies – I Am an Actor.”

According to relevant research, Xixi Wetland can reduce the temperature in its surrounding area of approximately 15 square kilometers by 0.5°C to 1.5°C. Its carbon sequestration capacity can reach 400,000 tons, and the number of days with good or excellent air quality each year consistently exceeds 70%.

With the continuous improvement of ecological factors such as air and water quality in Xixi Wetland, the number of species within the wetland— including vascular plants, insects, and birds—has increased significantly. For example, the number of bird species has risen from 89 to 179, and the number of bird species classified as nationally protected animals has increased from 8 to 19.