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Wuyue Culture Museum opens on October 11
en.hangzhou.com.cn   2024-10-22 12:20   Source: Hangzhou China

On October 11, the long-anticipated Wuyue Culture Museum was officially opened to the general public, adding another cultural landmark to Hangzhou. The museum features national treasures and many other exhibits that are being showcased for the first time.

The Wuyue Culture Museum is the first museum in China dedicated specifically to the history of the Wuyue Kingdom. Located on the north side of the main exhibition hall of the Lin'an Museum, it covers approximately 6,220 square meters. Visitors can easily find it by entering the Lin’an Museum and following the wayfinding signs to the left and uphill.

It is learnt that the museum boasts 350 items (sets) on display, including 150 first-level cultural relics, most of which are making their debut. These artifacts comprehensively showcase the political, economic, and cultural aspects of the Wuyue Kingdom, highlighting its unique role in preserving and carrying forward Chinese civilization during the chaotic Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period and emphasizing the historical and contemporary significance of the ruling Qian family's submission to the Song Dynasty.

The museum is divided into two main sections across three floors. Following the two narrative lines featuring the two sections, it presents a comprehensive picture Wuyue Kingdom’s urban development, advanced handicraft, splendid marine trade and cultural heritage in its heyday from the perspective of history, the Qian Family Instructions, and precious cultural relics. 

The first section, "History of the Wuyue Kingdom," presents the historical achievements and cultural characteristics of the Wuyue Kingdom, emphasizing its political awareness and mission. For instance, the collection features a white porcelain silver-button teapot made in some official kiln, which serves as strong evidence of the Wuyue Kingdom's submission to the Song China. The second section, "Treasures of the Wuyue Kingdom," focuses on exquisite artifacts to illustrate the kingdom's unique contributions to the continuity of Chinese civilization during tumultuous times. Notably, remnants of silk ribbons discovered in a silver box highlight the advanced silk industry of the Wuyue Kingdom and convey a message to future generations: "I will close off and refine my silk production."

"Although the Wuyue Kingdom existed for just a brief moment in history, the smooth transition to the Song Dynasty allowed these relics to be preserved intact, enabling Wuyue culture to be preserved and passed down throughout Zhejiang," said Li Yuxin, director of the Historical Artifacts Department and the Wuyue Kingdom Cultural Research and Exhibition Center of the Zhejiang Provincial Museum.

The museum serves as an encyclopedia of Wuyue culture; visiting it is akin to reading a comprehensive book about the rich heritage of the Wuyue Kingdom.

Author:   Editor: Ye Lijiao
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