Did you know that over a thousand years ago, Hangzhou was once the capital of a prosperous and remarkably peacefulkingdom called Wu Yue (907–978)?

After the fall of the Tang Dynasty in 907, China entered a period of political fragmentation known as theFive Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms (五代十国). During this time, Wu Yue was founded by Qian Liu, a native of Lin’an, who became its first king.

With itscapital in Hangzhou, the kingdom covered much of what is now Zhejiang and Shanghai, as well as parts of southern Jiangsu and northern Fujian.

Wu Yue is best known building iconic temples such asLeifeng PagodaandLingyin Temple. Under the Qian family’s peaceful leadership, the kingdom became a flourishing center of art and culture, laying the foundation for Hangzhou’s later reputation as“Heaven on Earth.”

Today, Hangzhou’s Lin’an District still preserves the rich legacy of the Wu Yue Kingdom, with theWu Yue Cultural Museumas a key destination. On July 26, an immersive cultural event was held at the museum to bring the story of this fascinating kingdom to life.

Experts, scholars, international friends, university students, and culture lovers gathered to explore the thousand-year legacy of Wu Yue civilization.Below are some highlights from a sharing session by experts:

Digital light revives millennia-old treasures

Bao Weihua, Director of the Wu Yue Cultural Museum, explained that the museum highlights the history and culture of the Wu Yue Kingdom by focusing on two key themes: “protecting the land and ensuring the people’s safety” and “peacefully surrendering to the Song Dynasty.” These themes reflect Wu Yue’s unique role in history—safeguarding stability and prosperity in southeastern China during a time of chaos, and eventually joining the unified Song Dynasty through peaceful means.

Museum’s exhibition showcases 350 cultural relics that serve as evidence of Wu Yue’s rich civilization. Yue ware celadon highlights the peak of craftsmanship in “mud and fire,” while silk remains demonstrate Hangzhou’s historical role as the “capital of silk.” A glass plate on display also reveals the existence of ancient maritime trade networks. Bao Weihua also emphasized the enduring wisdom of the Qian family motto: “Though our ancestors are distant, we must honor them sincerely; though our descendants may be unlearned, they must study poetry and books.” This spirit of learning and respect helped nurture outstanding descendants such as Qian Xuesen, the great aerospace engineer.

“The core values of Wu Yue culture are ‘putting people first’ and ‘serving China with goodwill’—protecting the people and peacefully submitting to the Song Dynasty,” Bao Weihua concluded when summarizing the historical significance of Wu-Yue. The Wu Yue Kingdom actively engaged in foreign diplomacy and maritime trade while promoting internal development, which helped shift China's economic and cultural center southward and laid a foundation for the Southern Song to establish its capital in Hangzhou.

Leifeng Pagoda witnesses Hangzhou’s

transformation through the ages

Following Bao, Li Yuxin, Research Curator and Head of Historical Artifacts Department, Zhejiang Provincial Museum, led the audience back to the excavation site of Leifeng Pagoda, immersing them in the profound weight of history.

“Leifeng Pagoda is the first stop for tourists in Hangzhou, with an annual visitor count of 5.4 million. It is the soul of the West Lake World Heritage Site.” Built in 977 AD by Qian Chu, the last king of the Wu Yue Kingdom, the pagoda was originally named “Huangfei Pagoda.”

“Every artifact unearthed from the underground chamber is a national treasure,” Li remarked. A century after the pagoda’s collapse in 1924, the 2001 archaeological dig unveiled its thousand-year secrets: 346 relics across 14 categories, including a pure silver stupa of King Ashoka (housing a strand of Buddha’s relic hair), a jade boy figurine (a rare Five Dynasties jade carving), and an incised bronze mirror (an innovative craft of Wu Yue).

Experiencing Wu-Yue Culture up close with international friends

The immersive journey, gave participants a clear and engaging look at Wu-Yue culture. It sparked curiosity and a deeper appreciation for cultural heritage among both Chinese and international guests.

“I felt like I was really back in that time,” said Shema Christian, a student from Rwanda at Hangzhou Normal University. He was surprised to learn that the Legend of the White Snake and Leifeng Pagoda, which he had seen in movies, were so closely connected in real history of Wu Yue Kingdom.

Aren’t you curious what might surprise you about this fascinating chapter of Hangzhou’s history? Come to Wu Yue Cultural Museum and see for yourself — there's so much more to discover!