Publications
A Case Study of the Relationship Between Traditional Chinese Feng Shui Theory and the Design Philosophy of Guozhuang in Hangzhou
Traditional Chinese Feng Shui theory significantly shaped the design philosophy and practice of Guozhuang, a historic garden in Hangzhou adjacent to West Lake. The study reveals that Guozhuang's layout, aesthetics, and function align with Feng Shui principles, such as north-south orientation, borrowed scenery, and balanced water and rockery systems, creating a harmonious relationship between humanity and nature. Architectural details further express ideas of guiding qi and balancing energies, enhancing spatial atmosphere and aesthetic value. This research combines literature review, field investigation, and expert interviews to analyze the garden's geographical setting, spatial layout, and landscape elements, offering theoretical and practical insights for contemporary landscape design while supporting the preservation of traditional culture.
Developing a heritage impact assessment framework for cultural World Heritage protection: a case study of West Lake Cultural Landscape
A structured heritage impact assessment (HIA) framework, tailored for World Heritage contexts, demonstrates that late-stage interventions can effectively mitigate adverse development impacts on Outstanding Universal Value (OUV). Applied to the West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou—a UNESCO-listed site under significant urban pressure—the framework identifies critical visual disruptions from a hotel expansion and proposes targeted mitigation strategies, such as height reduction and landscape buffering. By integrating value-based assessment with practical tools for heritage attribute identification and impact evaluation, this approach offers a transferable solution to balance development pressures while preserving cultural integrity. The study underscores the necessity of rigorous, adaptive planning in heritage-sensitive urban contexts.
Diagnosing walkability and entrance crowding at the scenic–city interface: geospatial analysis around West Lake hotels, Hangzhou, China
A geospatial analysis of West Lake, Hangzhou, reveals significant spatial inequality in pedestrian crowding at scenic entrances, with late-afternoon peaks and overlapping heritage resources and high activity intensity along certain corridors. The study identifies differentiated hotel distribution patterns and mixed-use surroundings, highlighting areas prone to congestion. Using multi-source data—including hotel locations (1,010), scenic entrances (125), shortest walking routes, and time-sliced population heatmaps—the research provides spatial evidence for optimizing entrance management, wayfinding, and route diversification in urban heritage destinations. These findings offer actionable insights for governance and planning in rapidly urbanizing Asian contexts.
How do World Heritage Cultural Landscapes visually attract and educate tourists? A sentiment analysis based on eye-tracking experiments
Cultural landscapes, such as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, attract tourists through visually engaging elements that shape perceptions of heritage value. Research reveals that complex structures like historic sites and artificial features evoke stronger cognitive responses, longer fixations, and higher satisfaction, while excessive cognitive load can reduce preference. Nonlinear effects also emerge, where higher proportions of certain elements accelerate attention but may induce aesthetic fatigue. Among five Chinese sites studied, Hani Terraces and Hangzhou West Lake stood out for their visual appeal and revisit intention. The study combined online sentiment analysis, eye-tracking experiments, and questionnaires to provide actionable insights for balancing heritage conservation with sustainable tourism, emphasizing the need for simplified designs, crowd management, and enhanced interpretive media.
The impact of environmental perception of the world heritage site on public attitudes: a case study of the West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou
A study of the West Lake Cultural Landscape reveals that public perception of living spaces within heritage sites significantly influences attitudes toward tourism development and place attachment. Respondents rated their perception of living spaces (3.444) higher than production (3.419) or ecology spaces (3.330), with living space perception showing the strongest positive impact on attitudes. This finding suggests that optimizing living spaces can serve as a sustainable strategy to balance heritage protection, community development, and tourism needs. The research adopts a Production-Living-Ecology framework to analyze spatial perceptions, providing actionable insights for the preservation and management of World Heritage Sites.
Enhancing visual attribute comprehension of urban heritage landscapes using combined GIS-based visual analysis methods: West Lake as a case study
A combined GIS-based visual analysis framework reveals that only two of ten potential city-to-lake visual corridors remain unobstructed in Hangzhou's West Lake, highlighting unmanaged vegetation as a critical barrier. This multi-method approach—integrating cumulative viewshed (CV), visual magnitude (VM), field of view (FOV) analysis, and street-view image (SVI) segmentation—exposed intentional spatial design strategies in high-visibility zones while also identifying 37 landscape types along lakeside roads where vegetation obstructs views. The study underscores the limitations of single-method analyses, such as SVI's insensitivity to topographic variation, and demonstrates that integrating multiple visual analysis methods provides deeper spatial insights for heritage conservation and urban planning.
Evaluation of the contemporary cultural landscape based on multi-dimensional value coupling: Case study on the Grand Canal, Hangzhou section
A new framework for evaluating the multi-dimensional value of cultural landscapes, particularly along the Grand Canal in Hangzhou, has been developed. This approach integrates conservation and developmental values to assess how contemporary projects align with World Heritage standards while supporting urban development. Using coupling coordination degree theory, researchers analyzed 10 cultural landscape projects implemented post-World Heritage inscription, revealing insights into their synergistic potential for balancing heritage preservation and sustainable growth. The study provides a model for future 'city-river interdependence' projects along the Grand Canal, offering practical guidance for harmonizing land use control, urban planning, and conservation efforts.
Influence of New Productive Forces on the Evolution of Cultural Tourism and Heritage Site Management
Digital technologies are transforming cultural tourism and heritage management, particularly in historically rich cities like Hangzhou. A study reveals that tools such as AI, big data, blockchain, AR/VR, and green technologies enhance visitor experiences, operational efficiency, and sustainability while posing challenges to digital equity and authenticity preservation. This research, based on a systematic literature review of 85 sources narrowed to 9 key studies using the PRISMA framework, provides context-specific insights for sustainable, inclusive, and culturally grounded smart tourism in Chinese heritage cities.
Landscape Zoning Strategies for Small Mountainous Towns: Insights from Yuqian Town in China
A novel landscape zoning strategy for small mountainous towns, exemplified by Yuqian Town in Hangzhou, China, optimizes sustainable development by integrating spatial and administrative dimensions. The study identified four key zones—urban comprehensive service areas, agricultural and cultural tourism development areas, industrial growth areas, and mountain forest ecological conservation areas—using advanced geospatial analysis techniques such as ArcGIS, SPSS, and eCognition software. These zones address landscape fragmentation caused by large-scale forest resources and administrative planning gaps, aligning with governmental sustainable development requirements. The approach enhances landscape connectivity and resource sustainability while minimizing adverse impacts on natural and village environments. This research provides critical guidance for small town development in mountainous regions with unique environmental and cultural contexts.
Qiantang River (Hangzhou section) leisure tourist area planning based on traditional ancient poetry and modern urban imagery: netnographic methods and natural language processing analysis
A study on the Qiantang River (Hangzhou section) leisure tourist area reveals that natural beauty and cultural connotations significantly influence tourists' positive emotional responses. Using natural language processing analysis of ancient poetry and modern social media comments, researchers identified that attractions like Gu Shan Park and Yaoling Cave evoke strong positive emotions due to their scenic landscapes and peaceful environments. Additionally, cultural sites such as Lingyin Temple and Guangfuchan Temple were highly appreciated for their profound cultural significance. The research also highlights the dominance of 'travel' and 'time' themes in modern social media discussions, reflecting contemporary leisure activities and time perception shifts. This study provides a data-driven approach to planning culturally rich and emotionally resonant tourist areas.
Semotic Analysis of Linguistic Landscapes in Revolutionary Tourism: A Case Study in Hangzhou City
Revolutionary tourism landscapes, such as those found in Hangzhou's West Lake Cultural Landscape, exhibit a higher symbolic density and stronger ideological framing compared to general cultural tourism sites. This study reveals how signs—including monuments, relics, slogans, and commemorative plaques—function as iconic, indexical, or symbolic elements, shaping visitors' perceptions of authenticity and collective memory. By analyzing English-language reviews and photographs from Trip.com at five revolutionary sites, researchers applied Peircean semiotics to link online tourist interpretation with spatial contexts. The findings offer insights for designing heritage sites that balance ideological representation with intercultural accessibility.
Space, Place, and Tourism: A Visual Ethnography of Linguistic Landscapes in West Lake, Hangzhou, China
Linguistic landscapes in West Lake, Hangzhou, China, reflect a dynamic blend of classical and modern elements, shaping immersive tourist spaces. The study found that Chinese language dominance integrates traditional and contemporary features, while bilingual/multilingual signs create a globalized environment. Digital signs foster a dialogical space, whereas legend signs evoke cultural romance, and environmental information constructs an ecological harmony between humans and nature. These combined elements—classical, modern, cultural, dialogical, and ecological—enhance tourist experiences. The research urges local authorities to prioritize language service competence to improve comfort and atmosphere for visitors. This work advances the understanding of linguistic landscapes in tourism space-making.
Spatial Impact of Rural Landscape Pattern on Ecosystem Service in Hangzhou
Rapid urbanization in Hangzhou's rural areas has significantly altered landscape patterns, leading to fragmentation and habitat degradation that negatively impact ecosystem services. The study reveals that woodland and grassland positively influence ecosystem services such as food production, water yield, carbon sequestration, and cultural services, while arable land, residential, and construction areas have detrimental effects. Notably, slope degree shows a strong positive correlation with ecosystem service provision, followed by indicators like total landscape area and edge density. The research employs advanced spatial models (InVEST, Fragstats, OLS, GWR, MGWR) to analyze these relationships, offering actionable recommendations for optimizing rural landscape management. These include promoting high-level farmland protection, enhancing landscape connectivity through woodland restoration, and integrating 'agriculture+' and 'ecology+' models to balance ecological and economic benefits.
Sustainable innovation for the clear waters of Hangzhou West Lake, China: Achievements and insights
A stable aquatic system dominated by submerged macrophytes has been successfully reestablished in Hangzhou West Lake, China's first lake-related UNESCO World Heritage site, for over 15 years. This achievement was accomplished through a long-term synergistic restoration strategy that included paludification prevention, external nutrient loading reduction, internal nutrient control, and stable system regulation. The study highlights the effectiveness of these measures in inhibiting phytoplankton propagation while enhancing water self-purification capacity and landscape function. Building on 2,000 years of management history, this research provides cross-century evidence for eutrophication restoration strategies applicable to similar subtropical shallow urban lakes.
Localized Canal Development Model Based on Titled Landscapes on the Grand Canal, Hangzhou Section, China
A localized canal development model for Hangzhou's Grand Canal section is proposed, integrating urban regeneration with cultural heritage preservation. The study identifies the 'Ten Canal Scenes' (TCS), which encapsulate the canal's historical, spatial, artistic, and spiritual significance while reflecting Hangzhou's unique characteristics. Using archival analysis, spatial statistics like average nearest neighbor (ANN) and nuclear density analysis, and clustering techniques, researchers mapped cultural landscape features and evaluated their conservation and utilization value. The model aims to enhance the comprehensive values of these titled landscapes, addressing socio-economic and cultural dimensions while reconciling heritage preservation with urban development. This approach offers a reference for balancing regeneration and heritage in other UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Transportation Transformation Towards Urban Renaissance
Urban transportation transformation can serve as a catalyst for comprehensive urban regeneration, offering long-term benefits beyond immediate improvements. A study on Hangzhou's West Lake Cultural Landscape demonstrates that integrating transport hubs with public services and spaces, enhancing last-kilometre accessibility, and optimizing the public space network can revitalize historical districts while preserving cultural heritage. The research proposes seven strategies—including transforming transport hubs, upgrading public services, refining accessibility, and improving resilience—to guide urban regeneration projects. A pilot project in the Wulin Pedestrian Zone illustrates how targeted transportation improvements can drive economic, cultural, and commercial development, showcasing a model for sustainable urban renewal.
Visual Impact Assessment Method for Cultural Heritage: West Lake Cultural Landscape in Hangzhou, China
A new Visual Impact Assessment (VIA) framework for cultural heritage demonstrates that the Shangri-La Hotel East Building project significantly alters the visual attributes of Hangzhou's West Lake. This study overcomes limitations in traditional VIA methods by integrating objective visual sensitivity assessments with subjective public perception evaluations using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and questionnaires. The framework, grounded in heritage value attributes, provides a more comprehensive and generalizable approach to predicting visual impacts on cultural landscapes. It highlights the importance of Heritage Impact Assessment as a preliminary tool for evaluating development projects, balancing objectivity and subjectivity while emphasizing public participation.
Evaluation of urban wetland landscapes based on a comprehensive model — a comparative study of three urban wetlands in Hangzhou, China
A comparative study of three urban wetlands in Hangzhou, China, reveals that plant richness, cultural expression, color harmony, and coordination of landscape elements significantly enhance scenic beauty, while habitat diversity negatively impacts it. Ecological design techniques were found to improve both plant diversity and scenic beauty, offering a sustainable approach to urban wetland conservation and planning during rapid urbanization. The study used field investigations, public evaluations via scenic beauty estimation (SBE), semantic differential (SD) method for quantifying factors, and structural equation modeling (SEM) to analyze impact paths.
Exploring 1800 years of ecosystem services from West Lake, Hangzhou, China
West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Hangzhou, China, has provided varying ecosystem services over 1800 years, with cultural services like recreation and tourism becoming dominant today. The study uses cultural and political ecology perspectives to analyze historical data, revealing how national, regional, and local policies have shaped these services. It highlights the significance of management strategies in sustaining long-term ecological functions and visual integrity, offering insights for future conservation efforts.
Landscape Sensitivity Assessment of Historic Districts Using a GIS-Based Method: A Case Study of Beishan Street in Hangzhou, China
A novel GIS-based method for assessing landscape sensitivity in historic districts identifies high-sensitivity areas and provides objective indicators for conservation planning. Unlike previous subjective approaches, this study uses POI big data and the CRITIC technique to determine criterion weights objectively. Applied to Beishan Street Historic District in Hangzhou, China, the method generates sensitivity maps that highlight buildings vulnerable to change, revealing critical interrelationships between ecological, visual, and cultural factors. Land use type emerges as a priority factor due to its strong correlations with other sensitivity indicators, offering actionable insights for heritage preservation.
The synergic impacts of salt mixture and frost damage on rock decay: implications for the deterioration of rock-hewn heritages
Rock-hewn heritages, such as those found in the West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou (WLCL), are vulnerable to combined salt weathering and freeze–thaw cycles, leading to significant deterioration. A study revealed that stones with moderate porosity (~5%) and a higher proportion of micropores, like flint, were particularly susceptible to these synergistic effects, exhibiting surface deformation and strength decline. Porous tuff developed a hard crust and pore fill, while compact carbonate rock showed minimal damage. The research used laboratory ageing tests on five stone types from the WLCL area, simulating 25 cycles of salt impregnation (Na₂SO₄–MgSO₄ mixture), freezing-thaw, and evaporation. Findings indicate that inherent rock properties significantly influence vulnerability to weathering, emphasizing their role in developing preventive conservation strategies for UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
West Lake cultural landscape of Hangzhou
The West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou stands as a testament to the enduring influence of traditional Chinese landscape design principles, blending 'harmony between humans and nature' with poetic and artistic inspiration from literature and poetry. This 700-year-old tradition, rooted in the ninth century, has not only persisted but also spread across China and into neighboring countries like Japan and Korea. The landscape's core value lies in its integration of six creation elements that reflect Chinese cultural aesthetics, where culture dominates nature, creating a unique and significant heritage site. This study underscores the historical and cultural significance of West Lake as an outstanding example of how landscape design can embody and perpetuate cultural values over centuries.
When the whole-nation system meets cultural heritage in China
China's 'whole-nation system' (juguo tizhi) has been instrumental in positioning the country as a global cultural power, but its application to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Hangzhou's West Lake Cultural Landscape, may compromise Chinese heritage discourses and overshadow grassroots perspectives. This hierarchical system, mobilized for national goals, reinforces statist narratives over cultural preservation, reflecting tensions between cultural and national nationalism. While China is transitioning towards aligning with global heritage discourse, the long-term impact of this shift on both domestic heritage preservation and the international landscape remains uncertain.
Comparing landscape values and heritage stakeholders: a case study of West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou, China
A comparative analysis of perspectives on the West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou reveals significant discrepancies between international experts and local stakeholders, including Chinese heritage professionals, residents, and tourists. International experts often overlooked the nuanced cultural values articulated by Chinese authorities due to differences in historical, philosophical, and heritage value systems. Meanwhile, tourists and locals linked traditional and contemporary Chinese cultural values to personal emotions and experiences, enriching the discourse on social heritage value. This study underscores the importance of integrating diverse stakeholder knowledge in UNESCO World Heritage nomination processes to ensure comprehensive and culturally sensitive evaluations.
Revealing Spatial Patterns of Cultural Ecosystem Services in Four Agricultural Landscapes: A Case Study from Hangzhou, China
Agricultural landscapes in Hangzhou, China, exhibit distinct spatial patterns of cultural ecosystem services (CES), with river valley plains serving as hotspots that are particularly vulnerable to urbanization. Research reveals that paddy fields and dry farmlands provide higher CES compared to tea gardens and orchards. By integrating multi-sourced datasets, clustering algorithms, and the Maxent model, the study identified four groups of agricultural lands based on their CES significance, use, and potential, offering insights into societal preferences shaped by both natural and human factors. These findings provide a strategic basis for stakeholders to balance land protection and urban development in UNESCO-listed cultural landscapes like Hangzhou's West Lake.
The Making of a Sacred Landscape: Visualizing Hangzhou Buddhist Culture via Geoparsing a Local Gazetteer the Xianchun Lin’an zhi 咸淳臨安志
A highly clustered distribution of Buddhist temples in Hangzhou during the Southern Song dynasty (1127–1279) was revealed through geospatial analysis, correlating with socio-political factors such as fengshui, state power, politics, and commercial exchanges. This study leveraged a local gazetteer, the Xianchun Lin’an zhi, to visualize Buddhist sites at a regional scale, addressing gaps in large-scale religious data collection that often obscure local characteristics. By combining GIS distant reading with close reading of historical materials, researchers identified patterns not easily discernible through traditional textual analysis or nationwide datasets.
Deciphering wintertime air pollution upon the West Lake of Hangzhou, China
A severe air quality degradation event on the UNESCO-listed West Lake of Hangzhou, China, in January 2015, was found to be primarily driven by fluctuations in gaseous pollutants (SO₂, NO₂, and CO) rather than meteorological factors or regional transport. Machine learning models, specifically Random Forest (RF) and Recurrent Neural Networks (RNN), demonstrated high accuracy in predicting daily average concentrations of these pollutants during winter, offering a promising tool for future forecasting and early warning systems. The study also revealed that sulfate constituted a larger proportion in PM₁₀ than in PM₂.₅, while CO showed a strong positive correlation with particulate matter. Dew-point deficit emerged as the key meteorological factor influencing SO₂, NO₂, and surface O₃ levels.
Monitoring the Deterioration of Masonry Relics at a UNESCO World Heritage Site
A five-year deterioration of outdoor-exposed marble artifacts at the UNESCO World Heritage Site, West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou, was observed due to temperature fluctuations and acid rain. The study employed a systematic monitoring approach using non-destructive testing equipment such as optical microscopes, ultrasonic pulse wave devices, Schmidt hammers, surface roughness testers, thermohygrometers, rain gauges, and air quality monitors. High-throughput sequencing technology was also utilized to analyze the distribution and diversity of microorganisms on masonry surfaces. The research found that deterioration patterns vary with material types and preservation conditions, while microbial growth correlates positively with environmental factors. This comprehensive monitoring method provides a reference for assessing the health state of cultural heritage sites.
Study on tourist’s loyalty of Zhinan Village in the view of tourism landscape
Tourist satisfaction and loyalty at Zhinan Village, part of Hangzhou's UNESCO-listed West Lake Cultural Landscape, are significantly influenced by their expectations and the confirmation of those expectations. A study using structural equation modeling revealed that these factors directly impact tourists' overall satisfaction while also fostering a sense of place attachment, which in turn enhances loyalty. The research suggests that optimizing rural tourism landscapes—through better planning, themed experiences, and improved leisure spaces—could strengthen both visitor satisfaction and their emotional connection to the site, ultimately boosting long-term loyalty.
Hybrid Modernity
A novel approach to public park design has emerged in post-Mao China, blending international influences with local Chinese design vocabulary. This 'hybrid modernity' represents a distinct spatial form and language, marking a new stage in China's landscape architecture history. The study examines this phenomenon through case studies, including the West Lake Southern Scenic Area Master Plan in Hangzhou, revealing its significance within late 20th-century socio-cultural transformations. It challenges conventional modernization theories by illustrating how global and local trends have shaped urban landscapes, particularly in secondary cities.
Interpreting heritage canals from the perspective of historical events: a case study of the Hangzhou section of the Grand Canal, China
Research reveals how heritage canals, exemplified by the Hangzhou section of China's Grand Canal, shape cultural landscapes through historical events. By classifying events into three types and mapping related architectural works and places, the study identifies key elements that define the canal's core values. It further explores how these elements interact to form a network, providing insights into the mechanisms underlying the canal's role in its landscape system. This approach offers a framework for conservation strategies and urban design, ensuring the preservation of heritage canals' cultural significance.
Some Insights into the Theory and Practice of Heritage Ecology: Grasping the Bio-physical and Socio-historical Dynamism of the Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou
Heritage landscapes, such as Hangzhou's West Lake, are dynamic systems shaped by bio-physical and socio-historical processes. This study proposes a framework to analyze heritage ecology through four key coordinates: material originality, structural integrity, functional continuity, and representational value. It introduces three aesthetic levels—technical-ecological process, memory of urban ecology, and experience of ecological space—to deepen understanding of how heritage evolves and is perceived. The research applies this methodology to Hangzhou's hydrological restoration, demonstrating how heritage acts as an active spatial technique in cultural landscapes, bridging ecological and historical dimensions.
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.
A Study on the Coordinative Green Development of Tourist Experience and Commercialization of Tourism at Cultural Heritage Sites
Tourists at China’s cultural heritage sites prioritize coordinative green development and high-quality tourist experiences over commercialization, with overall satisfaction at three key sites—West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou, Ancient City of Pingyao, and Confucius Temple in Nanjing. This study introduces an indicator system for assessing such development (CGDTECT) and applies fuzzy comprehensive evaluation alongside importance-performance analysis to gauge tourist perceptions. Findings suggest that while tourists value green development and experience, they are generally satisfied with current conditions, supporting the adoption of continuous improvement strategies. The research offers actionable insights for balancing tourism growth with cultural preservation, aiding sustainable heritage management.
Cultural landscape meanings. The case of West Lake, Hangzhou, China
The West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou reflects complex cultural meanings that diverge between international heritage agencies and Chinese perspectives. While Western conservation approaches often prioritize universal values, the study reveals that Chinese interpretations emphasize local identity, historical continuity, and emotional connections to the landscape. International bodies like UNESCO and ICOMOS, alongside Chinese stakeholders involved in its 2011 nomination process, may underestimate these nuanced meanings. Meanwhile, Chinese tourists perceive the site not just as a tourist attraction but as a symbol of national pride and cultural heritage, highlighting the need for conservation strategies that bridge global and local understandings.
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.
Soundscape of the West Lake Scenic Area with profound cultural background—a case study of Evening Bell Ringing in Jingci Temple, China
Research on the soundscape of Hangzhou's West Lake Cultural Landscape reveals that natural, cultural, and historic sounds significantly influence people's subjective experiences. The study, focusing on the Evening Bell Ringing at Jingci Temple, analyzed objective physical indices in winter and spring, combined with subjective evaluations from participants. Findings demonstrate a strong correlation between the soundscape and the local environment, history, and culture, emphasizing the importance of integrating these elements for a cohesive and meaningful auditory experience. This insight underscores the interplay between natural and cultural factors in shaping the perception of scenic areas.
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