An actor gives a lecture on Water Margin stories at the launch ceremony of the Hangzhou live streaming program at Xixi National Wetland Park, Hangzhou, capital of East China's Zhejiang province, on April 23, World Book Day. The program aims to promote local culture and tourism, as well as the stories of Water Margin, one of China's four great classic novels. [Photo/zj.zjol.com.cn]

Hangzhou launched a massive live streaming program to promote the city's unique culture and tourism at the exhibition hall of Water Margin culture in Xixi National Wetland Park, Hangzhou, on April 23 (World Book Day). The program will invite 1,000 internet celebrities and 1,000 actors and actresses, and include 100 story-telling sessions about Water Margin, one of China's four great classic novels.

Water Margin gave a detailed description of not only Hangzhou folk customs and culture, but also Xixi Wetland. The Hangzhou dialect was even mixed into the book's language. 

During the launch ceremony, two internet celebrities were invited to present Xixi National Wetland Park, a 5A-level scenic area in Hangzhou, through live stream, where they promoted Xixi-Wetland-inspired products made by visitors to the park.

Over the next several days, the internet celebrities and artists will travel to Hangzhou's 13 districts to help promote local products and give performances.

Officials said that the program aimed to move promotional events for Hangzhou culture and tourism online and stimulate consumption as the epidemic situation in China improves.

Ma Chengsheng, professor at Hangzhou Normal University and president of Zhejiang Water Margin Research Association, was invited to lecture on Water Margin stories at the ceremony.

Following the ceremony, Hangzhou will call on more of the city's residents who are familiar with Water Margin to tell stories about the novel, aiming to promote Water Margin culture among Hangzhou locals.

The event was organized by the Hangzhou publicity department and the government of Xihu district with the support of other media organizations and government departments.

A dance is held at the launch ceremony of the Hangzhou cultural and tourism promotion program on online live streaming platforms in Xixi Wetland Park on April 23. [Photo/zj.zjol.com.cn]