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Give West Lake back to the people
By Frank Jiang |
June 29, 2010, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
WEST lake, renowned for natural beauty and tranquility, used to be a lovely place to stroll, to view little inlets, willows, pavilions and gardens, and to sit quietly in a tea house along its pubic shores.
On a recent trip to Hangzhou I was deeply disappointed to find the lakeshore area filled with many trendy bars, clubs, hotels and stores. Neon light has replaced moonlight and starlight. In many place public access is now blocked, exclusive private clubs command some of the most beautiful views. Ordinary people feel intimidated to enter and appreciate the view that is rightfully theirs.
This "upscaling" of West Lake and turning land over to private developers flies in the face of the government's campaign announced 2002 aimed at "returning the lake to the people."
This was supposed to clean up the lake, remove unsightly buildings from its banks and make it accessible.
The lake is publicly owned and should welcome people from around China and abroad, to say nothing of residents who want to take a long and leisurely walk.
Every Chinese has a stake in the West Lake and no amount of excuses can change the lake's essential public nature.
Hangzhou is just one of the many scenic spots plagued by this problem of upscale development.
The Yellow Mountain too is being encroached upon by many facilities intended to serve the rich.
And these facilities are becoming more and more established in many of China's scenic spots.
When thousands of overseas tourists and students come to China to learn about its cultural heritage, they inevitably visit West Lake and the Yellow Mountain.
It must be very disappointing to see so many beautiful places cluttered up and encroached upon by incongruous development.
Turning our public scenic resources over to private development deprives the public of their right to fully enjoy our country's beauty.
On a recent trip to Hangzhou I was deeply disappointed to find the lakeshore area filled with many trendy bars, clubs, hotels and stores. Neon light has replaced moonlight and starlight. In many place public access is now blocked, exclusive private clubs command some of the most beautiful views. Ordinary people feel intimidated to enter and appreciate the view that is rightfully theirs.
This "upscaling" of West Lake and turning land over to private developers flies in the face of the government's campaign announced 2002 aimed at "returning the lake to the people."
This was supposed to clean up the lake, remove unsightly buildings from its banks and make it accessible.
The lake is publicly owned and should welcome people from around China and abroad, to say nothing of residents who want to take a long and leisurely walk.
Every Chinese has a stake in the West Lake and no amount of excuses can change the lake's essential public nature.
Hangzhou is just one of the many scenic spots plagued by this problem of upscale development.
The Yellow Mountain too is being encroached upon by many facilities intended to serve the rich.
And these facilities are becoming more and more established in many of China's scenic spots.
When thousands of overseas tourists and students come to China to learn about its cultural heritage, they inevitably visit West Lake and the Yellow Mountain.
It must be very disappointing to see so many beautiful places cluttered up and encroached upon by incongruous development.
Turning our public scenic resources over to private development deprives the public of their right to fully enjoy our country's beauty.
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