CRI听力:UNESCO Lists West Lake as World Heritage Site

The number one attraction for visitors to the city of Hangzhou in south east China's Zhejiang province is without doubt the famous West Lake.

Now UNESCO's World Heritage Committee has inscribed the lake and it's cultural landscape on it's World heritage list.

Jules Page was in Hangzhou to find out what this means for locals and visitors alike.

It's been a long time coming but well worth the wait. Hangzhou's famous West Lake and it's captivating landscape have now been inscribed on UNESCO's world heritage list.

After lobbying the world heritage committee for the lake's inclusion since 1999, it's inscription was finally ratified on June 24th 2011 during the 35th session of the World Heritage Committee in Paris, France.

So, how have Hangzhou locals reacted to the news that their iconic lake has achieved world heritage status?

Mr Chen is a Hangzhou local and has been a taxi driver in the city for the past twenty years.

"Hangzhou is becoming an international city. This UNESCO listing will stimulate the tourism industry, the real estate market and overall economic development."

The West Lake Cultural Landscape, often dubbed 'heaven on earth' is renowned for its historical connections and outstanding natural beauty.

It covers six square kilometers and is situated in the centre of Hangzhou. It includes many of Hangzhou's most famous scenic areas.

In fact the lake has long been one of China's most famous scenic spots and each year it attracts over twenty million visitors from both home and abroad. The lake's world heritage listing is expected to attract even more people and prosperity to this already famous city.

Lukasz Prendke is the general manager of the prestigious Aman resort in Hangzhou.

"We think that it will bring more overseas tourists to Hangzhou, definitely and in terms of occupancy of the hotel I also believe they will be coming here more and more. So, the international focus for the China market will be definitely in Hangzhou now."

The cultural landscape of Hangzhou's west lake contains many temples, pagodas, pavilions, gardens, small islands and causeways. Over the centuries its beauty and majesty have inspired famous poets, scholars and artists.

Most Chinese visitors to the West Lake have grown up with classic stories which were set in or around the lake.

Wang Hui is a visitor to the west lake from nearby Suzhou.

"I know the stories about the Leifeng pagoda and the white snake lady."

Visitor booths are dotted around the West Lake, where helpful attendants such as Dong Jianfei offer information about the lake and it's surrounds.

So, how did he react to news of UNESCO's latest world heritage listing?

"I was very excited to hear the news. The application began several years ago and we finally succeeded. It is an acknowledgement by the international community. More visitors are coming to learn more about Hangzhou and the West Lake."

In light of the world heritage listing the Hangzhou government has drafted six new regulations aimed at protecting the west lake and its cultural landscape, with nine more in the pipeline. It's also promised not to increase prices to surrounding attractions and to preserve cultural relics.

After all, following its UNESCO world heritage listing Hangzhou's West Lake not only belongs to the city, Zhejiang province and to China - but now to the whole world.

For CRI, I'm Jules Page.