Hangzhou releases first official list of municipal wetlands
February 2 this year marks the 29th World Wetlands Day. On January 20, the "Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future" Hangzhou 2025 World Wetlands Day activity was held at the National Wetland Museum of China. During the event, Hangzhou released its first municipal wetland conservation list, designating three key sites: Dongbu Bay in Qiantang District, Qingshan Lake in Lin'an District, and Xiayuan Reservoir in Chun'an County.
According to official data, Hangzhou boasts a wetland area of 134,300 hectares, 8% of the city's total land area, with 63.8% under protection. At present, the city is home to one wetland of international importance, six provincially important wetlands, and has been accredited by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration as a nominee for the "International Wetland City" designation (third cohort). These achievements underscore Hangzhou's steadfast progress in wetland conservation.
In addition, in recent years, Hangzhou has enacted the Hangzhou Wetland Protection Regulations, and has established a tiered classification framework for city-level, county-level, and locally significant wetlands. Through science-driven conservation and restoration programs, an ecological compensation mechanism, and holistic habitat enhancement, the city has significantly upgraded the ecosystems of wetlands. Key projects like Lianhuatan Bird Habitat Restoration (Xixi Wetland) and Wuqiangxi Wetland Ecological Restoration (Fenkou, Chun'an County) have been listed among Zhejiang's inaugural model wetland ecological restoration cases. Additionally, Beihu Caodang Wetland Ecological Restoration (Yuhang) and Yangbihu Wetland Ecological Restoration (Fuyang) received the 2023 and 2024 Zhejiang Provincial Biodiversity Conservation Excellence Awards respectively.
During the event, industry experts and scholars held in-depth and engaging discussions on the theme "Wetland Melodies, Symphony of Coexistence: Harmonizing Humanity and the Biosphere". International guest and social media influencer "Yáng Lízǐ" ("阳离子" in Chinese, meaning "Cation") shared her unique insights on Hangzhou's ecological and wetland conservation via an evocative short video. Students and teachers from Jingdu Primary School in Hangzhou presented an interactive workshop, vividly documenting the significant changes and ecological protection achievements of the Grand Canal over recent decades. Volunteer representatives shared outcomes of actions in wetland ecological restoration, conservation innovations, and integrated development.
In addition, the event also unveiled the "Hangzhou Illustrated Wetland Map", featuring 13 iconic wetlands such as Xixi National Wetland Park (Hangzhou) and Yangbihu Wetland (Fuyang District). The city also kicked off its "2025 World Wetlands Day & Wetlands Week Event Series". On World Wetlands Day (February 2), multiple wetland parks including Xixi National Wetland Park will offer free admission to the public. During the Wetlands Week, the National Wetland Museum of China will host the 14th Annual Wetland-Themed Painting Competition.
Wetland conservation is intrinsically tied to the biosphere reserve system. This September, Hangzhou will host the 5th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves (WCBR) - a major international event. As the host city, Hangzhou is sparing no effort in advancing preparatory operations to present a spectacular and unforgettable international conference. Currently, the preparatory mechanism and work tasks for the congress have been gradually refined, with venue confirmation and outcome document drafting progressing in an orderly manner.
