This park in Hangzhou is within walking distance of residents and offers them the perfect getaway for leisure and recreation. [Photo/hangzhou.com.cn]

The city of Hangzhou — capital of East China's Zhejiang province — recently released the Regulations on Building an Eco-Civilization City, providing a legal framework for its vision of becoming a model green city.

As both a national ecological garden city and a historical cultural hub, Hangzhou is really deepening its commitment to green development.

The city is building a multi-level parks system — improving public access with a layout of "300 meters to greenery and 500 meters to parks".

In fact, since 2021, some 263 parks have been added or renovated there, including new landmarks like the Hangzhou Grand Canal Steelworks Park and Yuhu Park. Moreover, Hangzhou's shared green space model has also made it a national pilot city for open urban greenery.

Alongside expanding and upgrading green areas, the city is promoting innovative greening methods like vertical landscaping and improved plant selections. It plans to add over 25 million square meters of green space by 2030.

Hangzhou is also integrating its ecological efforts with cultural heritage. Projects like the Liangzhu City Archaeological Ruins Park and industrial-turned-urban spaces highlight the exquisite blend of nature and history. What's more, the city is enhancing its park-based cultural displays and activities to tell its unique story.

Through regulation, innovation and public engagement, Hangzhou is shaping a greener, more livable modern city — where every patch of green becomes part of a healthier outlier to a more beautiful urban life.

A bird's-eye view of the Hangzhou Greater Bay Wetland Park, an ecological treasure of the city. [Photo/hangzhou.com.cn]