The Hangzhou Xixi National Wetland Park in East China’s Zhejiang Province, founded in 2005, is the country’s first national wetland park.
Situated in the western part of Hangzhou, Xixi is only 5 kilometers away from the West Lake, a renowned UNESCO World Heritage site in the city.
Water is the soul of Xixi. With an area of 11.5 square kilometers, the park is mostly covered by streams, ponds, lakes and swamps, with six long rivers forming a tangled network of waterways. Nearly 70 percent of the park is water and the length of waterways inside the park surpasses 100 kilometers.
Additionally, about 85 percent of the land in Xixi is covered by plants such as reeds, willows and persimmon(柿子)trees and a variety of wildlife living among them, making Xixi a great platform for animal and bird watching, scientific research and education.
Because of its abundant water resources and species, Xixi Wetland is an important part of Hangzhou’s ecosystem and helps purify water, relieve flooding, regulate the climate and maintain biodiversity. Nestled in an urban area of the city, it is dubbed “the natural purifier of Hangzhou”.
As well as providing a haven for people to enjoy the region’s natural charm, Xixi Wetland is also a cultural treasure trove(宝藏)which has been depicted and extolled by scholars throughout history.
Xixi was a land of idyllic beauty and a place of seclusion(隐居)in the eyes of ancient people. Inspired by the elegance of Xixi, many literati(文人)—including Su Dongpo, Tang Bohu, Dong Qichang and Yu Dafu —created numerous literary works about the place. Some of them are showcased on the inscribed boards and tablets dotted throughout the wetland park.
The Xixi Wetland was not quite so well-known to people until the famous Chinese film director Feng Xiaogang used it as a backdrop for part of his 2008 film If You Are the One, adding the wetland to the list of must-visit tourist attractions in Hangzhou.
Today, the pristine(未开发的)scenery, the rustic(淳朴的)charm of a country lifestyle and the ancient traditions of Xixi lure tourists from around the world.
6. How long is the waterway of Xixi National Wetland Park?
A.Over 5 kilometers. | B.Over 11.5 kilometers. |
C.Over 70 kilometers. | D.Over 100 kilometers. |
7. Why is Xixi National Wetland Park dubbed “the natural purifier of Hangzhou”?
A.Because it is a platform for animal and bird watching. |
B.Because it is a platform for scientific research and education. |
C.Because it is nestled in an urban area of the city. |
D.Because its ecosystem helps purify water. |
8. The underlined word
“extolled” in Paragraph 6 most probably means “________“.
A.criticized | B.praised | C.described C. painted |
9. Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?
A.Return to Paradise | B.Tourist Attractions in Hangzhou |
C.Hangzhou, the Natural Purifier | D.A Place of Seclusion |