Tue Jan 28 12:30:00 UTC 2025: ## Hangzhou’s West Lake Takes Center Stage in Spring Festival Gala Sketch

**HANGZHOU, CHINA** – The Spring Festival Gala’s opening act featured a unique, unscripted advertisement for Hangzhou’s iconic West Lake. A ten-minute sketch, “Borrowing an Umbrella,” playfully reimagined the classic White Snake legend, set against the backdrop of the lake, the Broken Bridge, and weeping willows.

The sketch, featuring a diverse cast of actors, blended various regional opera interpretations of the White Snake story. The unconventional approach sparked diverse reactions, with some viewers describing it as a “Pinduoduo version” (referencing the budget-friendly e-commerce platform) of the tale, while others hailed it as a “White Snake multiverse.” The unexpected mix of acting styles proved a talking point before and after the performance. The sketch’s success in showcasing West Lake underscores the power of subtle, yet effective, product placement within popular entertainment.

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