"I didn't imagine I'd uncover the hidden gems of West Lake — things I'd never known — through an exhibition", said Loubna, a student from Morocco, after visiting. On the message board, she wrote: "It's as if the lake carries 5,000 years of memories."

On July 31, the photo exhibition Echoes of Elegance: West Lake in Past and Present opened at No 184 Shuguang Road, drawing over 100 visitors from China and abroad. Hosted by the Hangzhou International Communication Center, the event is a featured part of the Hangzhou, A Window to China's 5,000 Year Civilization Program. Combining photography with text, the exhibition highlights the timeless beauty of West Lake while exploring contemporary perspectives of cultural exchange and mutual learning. It invites audiences — both Chinese and international — into a visual dialogue bridging culture and nature, history and modernity, the East and the world.

A rich cultural dialogue through powerful visuals

Italian documentary director Leonardo Cinieri Lombroso has long portrayed the humanistic landscapes of both rural and urban China. Just last month, he collaborated with the Hangzhou International Communication Center on a new project. With works like Doris and Hong and China Towns, Lombroso uses the camera not just as an observer, but as a participant — capturing the rhythm and breath of everyday life.

"I'm fascinated by different cultures, and especially curious about Chinese culture", he shared, "I hope to be a bridge between China and Italy, and to foster deeper cultural exchange."

For Lombroso, even the simplest moments — like lotus flowers blooming in West Lake in July or boats gently gliding across its waters — can become powerful stories within the rich fabric of Eastern civilization.

Leonardo shares his artistic philosophy and connection to Chinese stories.

"The beauty of West Lake differs every day," said Chen Zhongqiu, chief photo journalist at City Express, known for his talent to capture the subtle interplay between nature and people. Through his lens, audiences were drawn into an immersive visual narrative of West Lake storytelling.

In his images: the Jixian Pavilion — its wooden pillars shattered by wild wind, later restored with reinforced concrete, reflecting Hangzhou's commitment to preserving cultural heritage; on a misty morning, tourists gathered on the Broken Bridge, pausing to snap photos as if stepping into a fairy land; after a rainfall, the lotus leaves and glistening droplets formed a playful natural scene.

"West Lake has long been a wellspring of inspiration for photographers," Chen noted, "Its rich history — captured in images, literature, and art — may also explain its lasting international appeal."

Chen Zhongqiu shares stories about West Lake.

The most touching part of the event was the heartfelt story shared by Cheng Guolong, captain of the West Lake Mandarin Duck Guard. Every spring, he and his team of volunteers build a "bridge of love" to help newly hatched female mandarin ducks safely cross the road to the center of the lake. They then accompany the ducklings through nearly two months of growth and challenges.

As a video played showing the young mandarin ducks frolicking in the lake, audience instinctively reached for their phones to capture the heartwarming scene.

"Our efforts are more than just a touching story by the West Lake," Cheng said, "They reflect Hangzhou's deep commitment to harmony between people and nature."

Cheng Guolong shares the story of the West Lake Mandarin Duck Guard.

West Lake in the eyes of international friends

The exhibition drew many visitors from across the globe, including a group of international students from the School of International Education at China Jiliang University. Wiame, a student from Morocco, appreciates the eased pace of West Lake. "I fell in love with it the moment I first saw it and took countless photos," he shared, "What captivates me most is how this lake, right in the heart of the city, so beautifully harmonizes the connection between people and nature."

Chinese and international visitors are attracted to the exhibition.

Shawnee, an international trade student at China Jiliang University, went to West Lake with his Chinese friends. He was deeply impressed by the storytelling pieces in the exhibition and especially by the drone — captured panoramic views of West Lake. "This offers a completely new perspective," he said, "In the photos, the city, greenery, and lake blend seamlessly like a painting." Ahmad Ismail from Pakistan was moved by Chen Zhongqiu's photograph of a couple by the lake. "I know West Lake is famous for its love stories, and this photo beautifully captures Hangzhou as the city of love."

An international student shows his West Lake postcard.

International students took their time exploring the exhibition hall, sharing their reflections on the message board. Fu Wenxuan, a counselor from the School of International Education at China Jiliang University, remarked, "This exhibition has given many international students a deep appreciation of West Lake's beauty through images. Only by truly understanding Chinese culture can they take it back to their home countries and share their experiences."

Visitors leave messages on the message board.

West Lake through the lens of both Chinese and international photographers

This exhibition has called over 100 photographs from around the globe. It is organized into three thematic sections — West Lake Meets the World, The Lake and Its People, and West Lake — together presenting a multicultural portrayal of West Lake.

In addition to three guest speakers, the exhibition includes contributions from Fu Yongjun, World Press Photo Award winner and director of the Art Museum at Communications University of Zhejiang; Gunther Riller, a renowned German photographer; Tunc Akoc, founder and editor-in-chief of Harici Media in Turkiye; Dmitry Gorobiev, a Russian photography enthusiast residing in Hangzhou; and seasoned photojournalists Xia Yang and Han Dan from City Express.

Ma Liqun, former chairman of the Hangzhou Photographers Association, also lent vintage West Lake photographs from three decades ago, along with his own extensive visual records capturing the lake's four seasons over the past 30 years.

Leonardo and Ma Liqun (first from right) in conversation.

From the lingering snow on the Broken Bridge to the misty allure of the fog shrouding the Su Causeway; from mandarin ducks frolicking in the Lake to the dance of light and shadow during the nighttime water show, these works capture West Lake across various moments and moods.

At the exhibition entrance, the "Message in a Bottle" area blended poetry with blessings. A representative from the Hangzhou International Communication Center remarked, "This is not just a visual feast but a living cultural dialogue. We hope that the images of West Lake not only preserve cherished memories but also share the stories of China with the world."