A bird's-eye view of the newly finished Tianmu Future Valley facility in the Lin'an district of Hangzhou. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]

The 5th World Biosphere Reserve Conference — held every 10 years under UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere program — will open on Sept 22 in Hangzhou, capital of East China's Zhejiang province.

The event will bring together more than 3,000 delegates from over 100 countries.

It marks the first time it's being hosted in China and outside Europe and the Americas.

Chosen for its rich natural heritage and vision of "lucid waters and lush mountains are inevitable assets" — the Chinese national environmental precept — Hangzhou will showcase achievements in ecological conservation, including the nearby Tianmu Mountain-Qingliang Peak Biosphere Reserve and the West Lake and Xixi Wetland areas.

The main venue, the Hangzhou International Expo Center, is finalizing preparations, while the Tianmu Future Valley subvenue is ready to receive visitors.

Delegates will explore research centers, interactive ecological exhibits and even go on field trips to wetlands and rural villages — highlighting how Hangzhou integrates conservation, tourism and community development.

Organizers are emphasizing a low-carbon, immersive experience, from electric transport to biodegradable materials. They hope the conference will position Hangzhou as a global model for balancing urban growth and environmental stewardship.

An inspiring picture of a forest in Hangzhou. [Photo/biosphere2025.org.cn]