World Heritage listing and changes of political values: a case study in West Lake Cultural Landscape in Hongzhou, China

This study reveals that Chinese governments, while pursuing World Heritage listing for the West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou, strategically adapt to Eurocentric UNESCO criteria by omitting values incompatible with Western heritage discourses. Through extensive fieldwork in Beijing, Shanghai, and Hangzhou, researchers mapped tensions between local governmental perceptions of heritage value and UNESCO/ICOMOS standards. The findings demonstrate a cynical approach where Chinese authorities recognize the 'rules' of World Heritage listing but selectively conform to them, prioritizing international legitimacy over indigenous cultural narratives. This adaptation, driven by the desire for global recognition, reshapes site management while perpetuating a disconnect between local heritage values and UNESCO's 'outstanding universal value' framework.

Zhang, R. (2016). World Heritage listing and changes of political values: a case study in West Lake Cultural Landscape in Hongzhou, China. International Journal of Heritage Studies, 23(3), 215–233. https://doi.org/10.1080/13527258.2016.1255989