Editor's Note: The Hangzhou culture, radio, film and tourism bureau has unveiled a list of 50 experience centers that best bring out the essence of the 19th Asian Games as well as the unique charm of Hangzhou. The centers focus on history and culture, digital economy, intelligent manufacturing, intangible cultural heritage, sports and health.

West Lake Guqin Society

Expats learn to play the guqin, a seven-string traditional Chinese instrument, at West Lake Guqin Society. [Photo/WeChat account: visithangzhou]

West Lake Guqin Society in Hangzhou is the source of the new Zhejiang School guqin. The society can be traced back to 1928 when a group of artists including Xu Yuanbai founded the Xihu Monthly Gathering. The gatherings were located in Xu's private residence.

Xihu Monthly Gatherings focused mainly on activities of guqin art exchange. Xu regarded inheriting Zhejiang School guqin art as his own responsibilities, making it his family motto.

In 1979, Hangzhou Guqin enthusiasts led by his son Xu Kuanghua, formed the Hangzhou Guqin Research Group with the assistance from the Municipal Cultural Association and the Municipal Music Association.

In 1986, with the support of the Provincial Music Association, West Lake Guqin Society was officially established.

Address: No 17 Goushanli, Nanshan Road

Tel: +86 0571-87066189