Abstract: Scientific understanding of the evolution mechanism underlying social-ecological systems (SESs) provides an important foundation for effectively managing those systems. Based on theories of cultural and political ecology, this paper develops an integrated research framework for the SES of Hangzhou and West Lake, identifying five evolution stages as well as three potential system states. Natural, political, economic and social forces have been the dominant factors affecting the Hangzhou-West Lake SES. Human behavior has affected the frequency, magnitude and form of disturbances and changed the structure and function of the West Lake ecosystem, which in turn has influenced the potential for West Lake to provide ecosystem services to Hangzhou. Based on various natural, social, economic and cultural needs, West Lake has provided ecosystem services of various types and quality to Hangzhou at different historic times and in distinct system states. In general, cultural services have gradually replaced provisioning and regulating services and become the most important ecosystem service type. The long-term symbiotic relationship between the city and the lake has established an adaptive management mechanism for the Hangzhou-West Lake social-ecological system, the ecological wisdom behind which provides important implications for contemporary landscape planning.