District perpetuates Wuyue Kingdom legacy

When asked about noted historical figures associated with Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, many people might mention renowned poets Bai Juyi (772-846) or Su Shi (1037-1101). But the most revered name linked to the region is Qian Liu (852-932), first ruler of the Wuyue Kingdom, a regional power existing during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms (907-960).

Qian was born in today's Lin'an district of Hangzhou. He joined the army at the end of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and quickly rose through the ranks due to remarkable military exploits. In 907, he founded the Wuyue Kingdom and made Hangzhou its capital.

As a ruler, Qian was known for his wisdom, diligence and kindness, and during his reign, he launched irrigation projects at the Qiantang River and formed a special army to dredge Taihu Lake and build dikes. These measures enhanced agricultural productivity and greatly improved the livelihood of residents, who revered Qian as a "dragon king" — one who lords over water areas and controls the weather.

Qian encouraged land reclamation and supported handicraft industries such as brocade, paper making and porcelain production. Maritime trade boomed during his reign, and the kingdom established an extensive trade network along the ancient Maritime Silk Road that connected with countries in South Asia, West Asia and East Africa. Among its exports were silk, tea and ceramics coveted among foreign nobles. In recent years, archaeologists in countries such as Kenya and Pakistan have reported discoveries of porcelain fragments from the Wuyue Kingdom.

Qian also emphasized education and cultural refinement during his rule. His descendants compiled the Qian's Family Instructions according to his teachings, which focused on personal growth, families, social relations, and statecraft. The Qian clan has produced generations of talented individuals, including historian Qian Mu (1895-1990), founder of China's space industry, Qian Xuesen (1911-2009), and the famous novelist Qian Zhongshu (1910-1998).

In terms of religion, Wuyue kings were devout Buddhists. They sponsored the construction of many grottoes, temples and monasteries, developing Hangzhou into one of the country's main hubs of Buddhism. Today, the Leifeng Tower and Liuhe Tower, two Buddhist pagodas built by Qian Chu (929-988), the last ruler of the Wuyue Kingdom, are must-see attractions in the city.

During 72 years of Qian family's rule, the kingdom prospered and Hangzhou became a thriving cultural and economic center. At its height, the kingdom incorporated all of what is now Zhejiang province, most parts of Shanghai, southeastern Jiangsu province and northeastern Fujian province. Local officials credit it with playing a crucial role in shaping the development of Hangzhou and Lin'an, and its contributions are still remembered and celebrated as an important part of cultural heritage in the region.

To preserve and promote Wuyue culture, in 2022 Lin'an district launched an annual culture festival. This year's event, which ran from May 18-31, included the fifth Wuyue Culture Forum, a hanfu (traditional Chinese clothing) show, a Yueju Opera performance and diverse public cultural activities throughout the district. The festival is committed to showcasing Lin'an's profound history and culture and advancing the high-quality development of Wuyue culture in modern times, according to the local government.

More than 20 scholars attended the forum, sharing their studies on the Wuyue Kingdom and exploring the connotations of Wuyue culture. In addition to cultural events, Lin'an has some public cultural facilities to display and study Wuyue culture.

Lin'an Museum, established in 2019, is a comprehensive facility housing more than 5,000 artifacts and cultural relics — three of which are classified as first-grade national relics: an incense burner, a jug with lid and an oil lamp, all decorated with brown cloud patterns, that were excavated from the tomb of Qian Liu's mother.

The Lin'an Museum serves as a "gene bank" of Wuyue culture, said curator Bao Weihua. "It has the most abundant relics of the Wuyue Kingdom, presenting a panorama of the state's history."

Lin'an is now building the Archaeological Site Park of the Wuyue Kings Mausoleum, the district's major project to promote Wuyue culture and boost tourism. With a planned area of 101.88 hectares, the park involves 39 projects, including renovation of Qian Liu's Memorial and the construction of a Wuyue Kingdom culture exhibition center and a commercial street featuring Wuyue style.

Some projects, such as the Jingtu Temple Site, have been completed and started operation while construction of the commercial street is still under preparation.

zhanglinwan@chinadaily.com.cn