Attendees listen intently and confer during the side event in Paris. [Photo/WHITR-AP]

Hangzhou — capital of East China's Zhejiang province — recently won a global award that recognized all its efforts in recent years in world heritage education innovation, local media outlets reported.

The 2025 Global Awards for World Heritage Education Innovative Cases (Star of Discovery Award) were issued in Paris.

Hangzhou received its recognition at the World Heritage Education Towards the Future — Global Innovative Network and Capacity Building side event of the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee, which was held at the headquarters of UNESCO, or the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, in the French capital.

The winning project, submitted by the Hangzhou International Urbanology Research Center, was selected from over 150 global cases and marks Hangzhou's first recognition at these prestigious awards.

The award highlights Hangzhou's pioneering model of integrating urban studies with heritage protection. The city's "research-led, practice-driven" approach has advanced studies on its three UNESCO World Heritage sites — West Lake, the Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City and the Grand Canal — supporting world heritage applications and public education.

Hangzhou has established dedicated research institutions, published over 700 heritage volumes, promoted the culture of the Song Dynasty (960-1279) when Hangzhou served as its capital, as well as fostered international cooperation.

The award is said to recognize Hangzhou's innovative efforts in combining heritage protection with urban renewal, cross-sector collaboration and public participation — presenting a model which can be replicated elsewhere for sustainable heritage development globally.

A bird's-eye view of West Lake, Hangzhou's landmark scenic spot as well as one of the three World Heritage sites of the city. [Photo/IC]