On the morning of the April 2, the sacrifice ceremony of “Wuyue Famous City, Happy Lin’an” in honor of King Qian was held during the Qingming Festival in front of the King Qian Temple at the Archaeological Site Park of the Wuyue Kings Mausoleum. Representatives of the Qian family descendants from all over the country, representatives of the Qian family descendants in Lin’an, representatives from various sectors of society and citizens representatives, totaling more than 450 people, participated in the sacrifice ceremony to commemorate and honor Qian Liu, the King Wusu and the ancestor of the Qian family in Wuyue Kingdom. The ceremony was held to inherit and promote the culture of the King Qian in Wuyue Kingdom.

The Taimiao Mountain was surrounded by ancient cypresses during the Qingming Festival. The ceremony officially started at 9am and everyone stood in awe. The ceremony consisted of nine rituals, including striking the bell and beating the drum, presenting offerings, cleaning hands and burning incense, making respectful bows, reading sacrificial texts, praising King Qian, worshipping through music and dance, reciting family teachings and offering flower baskets. The sacrifice ceremony in honor of King Qian during the Qingming Festival was declared by our district’s Qian Liu Research Association, and was officially included in the sixth batch of provincial intangible cultural heritage representative projects in 2023, becoming a provincial-level intangible cultural heritage.

Five kings from three generations of the Wuyue Kingdom pursued policies that defended their territory and ensured their people to live and work in peace. They achieved the great cause in “fourteen prefectures by one sword” through unceasing efforts, and laid the foundation for the prosperous development of “Just as there is paradise in heaven, there are Suzhou and Hangzhou on earth”. At the same time, under the influence of the Qian family’s traditions and teachings, the Qian family has become a legendary one that nurtured many talented individuals. The family is always thriving. Generations of outstanding talents have been practicing the Qian family’s ancestral motto of “putting the interests of all people and the country first”.

The Lin’an District Committee and Government has always attached great importance to the modern expression and revitalization of Wuyue Culture, and actively promoted the display of the ancient rhyme of Wuyue Culture and its integration into the lives of citizens. Especially in the past year, the Jingtu Temple Site Park was completed and opened to the public, and the Yijin City Site Park accelerated its pace of construction. There were innumerable great achievements of the literary and artistic works related to the Wuyue Culture.

In modern times, Wuyue Culture is shaping the charisma and beauty of Lin’an with its timeless and rich atmosphere, granting Lin’an cultural confidence. The cultural heritage and ancient city that have lasted for a thousand years are shining brilliantly in the integration and reflection. The 6th Session of 1st Convention of Lin’an District Committee closely focused on the construction goal of “Wuyue Famous City and Happy Lin’an”. The convention made an important deployment to carry out the “Five Year” activity and proposed to make this year the “Wuyue Culture Exhibition Year” by focusing on building a highland of Wuyue Culture. The protection and inheritance of Wuyue Culture has therefore been elevated to an unprecedented height. The whole district will work together to depict the splendid chapter of “blooming flowers and approaching happiness” in the hometown of King Qian.