[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Drawing inspiration from ancient Chinese jade, Hangzhou unveiled the official medals for the 19th Asian Games on Thursday to celebrate the 100-day countdown to the opening of the continental sporting gala.

Entitled Shan Shui, the medal of the Hangzhou Asiad is characterized by the jade cong, a ritual article used for ceremonies dating back to the Liangzhu Culture.

A traditional circular medal is embedded in the square jade, making it unique and highly recognizable.

The design of Shan Shui depicts the natural landscape of Hangzhou — protruding lines outline misty hills, a rippling lake and undulating mountains on the front side, while the back features the logo of the Olympic Council of Asia.

Shan Shui highlights Hangzhou's ecological importance, with its beautiful scenery, clear water and rolling hills. The depiction of mountains also symbolizes the heights athletes aspire to conquer. On the way to the summit, athletes strive hard, challenge themselves and surmount one peak after another.

"The medal takes shape from the iconic landscape of Hangzhou and represents the three main attractions of the city – the West Lake, the Grand Canal and the Liangzhu Ancient City Ruins Park," said main designer Zhang Junjie, director of the China Academy of Art's industrial design department. "We hope to present Hangzhou's long history, profound culture and the harmonious integration of humanity and nature on the medals."

[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Zhang and his team spent two years perfecting the design of the medals after completing 20 different iterations.

"I am looking forward to the moment when athletes put the medals around their necks during the games, which will make everything worthwhile," Zhang said.

The medal will be made by embossing, milling, trimming and polishing, gold and silver plating, and protection treatment. The ribbon will be hand-stitched on both sides using brocade and environmentally friendly printing techniques.

The bridge-shaped buckle at the top of the ribbon symbolizes the famous hub of the Yangtze River Delta region.

Fang Xiaoying in Hangzhou contributed to the story.