Less than five kilometers away from West Lake – Hangzhou's must-visit scenic spot in east China's Zhejiang Province, lies the first national wetland park in China, known as Xixi.

Literally meaning "west waterway" in Chinese, Xixi covers an area of 10.5 square kilometers crisscrossed by six major creeks. Some say the wetlands are the kidneys of the Earth and Xixi has earned its nickname "the kidney of Hangzhou."

Water is an indispensable element for a wetland. Here in Xixi, over 70 percent of the park is covered by water, with various ponds, lakes and swamps scattered across the area, providing a thread of life and resources for its diverse flora and fauna.

But it's not just about nature. 

With a history of over 1,800 years, Xixi is home to a cluster of ancient Chinese-style buildings that blend well into the pristine natural landscape. It's also known for a traditional dragon boat contest that takes place during the Dragon Boat Festival, a traditional Chinese festival that falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month.

Xixi National Wetland Park has reopened to the public from March 13 and is offering free admission for tourists until May 1. It also provides free entrance and free boat rides for medical staff nationwide until the end of the year.

Those who would like a visit in Xixi are required to reserve online and wear a mask during the visit. A maximum of 24,000 visitors are allowed per day. When lining up, people need to keep a distance of 1.5 meters from each other.

(Cover: Xixi National Wetland Park in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province. /VCG)