The medals of the 19th Asian Games were created after nearly two years of team effort.

"We had no idea at the beginning. To be honest, it was difficult to deliver the area's thousands of years of culture and showcase its unique features to the world in such a small medal," Zhang recalls.

After more than 20 prototypes, the final design of the medal features the natural landscape of Hangzhou in the style of a traditional painting - misty hills, a rippling lake, and undulating mountains on the front, while the rear face features the logo of the Olympic Council of Asia.

The design of the medal highlights Hangzhou's ecological importance, with its beautiful scenery, clear water and rolling hills. The bridge-shaped buckle at the top of the ribbon symbolizes the famous water towns of the Yangtze River Delta region.

According to Zhang, about eight designers participated in the medal's design.