A bird's-eye view of Hangzhou's landmark West Lake. [Photo/IC]

June 24 marks the 14th anniversary of West Lake's inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage list and the 6th Hangzhou West Lake Day.

Over the past year, West Lake has generated over 1,300 trending topics across social media platforms — about four per day — amassing more than 1.5 billion views.

From dawn to dusk, rain or shine, West Lake's beauty draws attention year-round. Seasonal keywords alone contributed to 112 trending searches, with spring and winter months peaking in popularity. Rainy West Lake topped weather-related searches with 61 mentions.

A comic shows international visitors enraptured by West Lake's landscapes. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]

Nature drives much of the buzz — squirrels, lotus flowers, and migratory birds routinely capture the spotlight. While iconic spots like the "Ten Views of West Lake" remain popular, lesser-known areas such as Yuhu Bay and Jianpao Villa have gone viral for their charm and unique experiences.

Behind the scenes, thoughtful services — from heated restroom sinks to wireless charging benches — win hearts. Stories of helpful patrols and viral "rescue heroes" like phone-retrieving lake divers also fuel West Lake's online stardom.

West Lake is continuing to prove its enduring appeal as a cultural and natural icon — one that evolves with the times.