The Rise of West Lake

West Lake, near Hangzhou, China, emerged as a significant cultural and tourist destination during the Song dynasty (960–1279), shaping societal perceptions of nature. Xiaolin Duan's study reveals how the lake became an interactive site where ecological, economic, spiritual, and aesthetic dimensions converged. By analyzing diverse sources—including miscellanies, gazetteers, paintings, maps, poems, and anecdotes—the research demonstrates that West Lake's development was driven by human activities such as boating, gardening, temple worship, and artistic expression. This interplay between human enterprise and the natural environment highlights how landscapes can influence social and cultural constructs, offering a model for understanding the evolution of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Duan, X. (2020). The Rise of West Lake. https://doi.org/10.1515/9780295747118