The Yijincheng Archaeological Site Museum in Lin'an district. [Photo/Lin'an district publicity department]

The Yijincheng Archaeological Site Museum in Lin'an district opened on Jan 28, bringing to the public the best-preserved remains of the Wuyue Kingdom and offering a rare glimpse into a period of stability during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period (907–979).

The museum is built directly over the original Yijincheng ruins, covering an area of about 6,500 square meters. Archaeological findings on display include sections of city walls, gates, roads, drainage systems, courtyards, wells, stoves and storage jars, many of which date back more than 1,300 years. Together, they shed light on the layout of a complete ancient city and its everyday operations.

Yijincheng served as an important political and military center of the Wuyue Kingdom, whose rulers adopted a policy of prioritizing peace, agriculture and people's livelihoods rather than constant warfare. This approach allowed the region to enjoy long-term social stability and economic growth while other places in China experienced frequent conflict.

Through in-situ preservation, archaeological interpretation and digital exhibitions, the museum highlights Wuyue's advanced urban planning, which harmonized city construction with surrounding mountains and waterways, and sheds light on governance, craftsmanship and daily life during what historians describe as the kingdom's "peaceful years".

Visitors look at the best-preserved remains of the Wuyue Kingdom at the museum. [Photo/Lin'an district publicity department]