The Kuahuqiao Site Museum. [Photo/WeChat account: xiaoshanfabu]

Kuahuqiao Culture, dating back eight millennia, serves as the oldest historical benchmark for Hangzhou.

Nepalese journalist Kabirash Sharma exclaimed, "So nice!" during his visit to the Kuahuqiao Site Museum. The ancient dugout canoe preserved on the site alongside statues depicting its crafting process left him in awe.

Over the past year, numerous foreign visitors, drawn in by the allure of Kuahuqiao Culture, have flocked to the site. During the Hangzhou Asian Games, both domestic and international reporters, as well as tourists from all corners of the world, were impressed by its historical significance.

The Kuahuqiao site, subjected to archaeological excavations in 1990, 2001, and 2002, unearthed an array of artifacts, including bone tools, wooden implements, stone tools, pottery, and remnants of flora and fauna. Among the treasures were the world's earliest known dugout canoe and the earliest wooden bow coated with lacquer, as well as China's oldest colored pottery and jade artifacts.

The Kuahuqiao Site Museum, as visitors see it today, underwent a renovation in September 2020. The permanent exhibition area was expanded, featuring over 300 artifacts, and interactive experiences employing cutting-edge technology were introduced, fostering a strong connection between visitors and the ancient dwellers.

"Kuahuqiao people were the first conquerors of the river mouth wetlands, embodying the spirit of trailblazers," said Jiang Leping, a researcher at the Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology.

From Kuahuqiao Culture to the inclusion of institutions like the Zhejiang Oil Painting Academy, China Academy of Art, and World Tourism Musuem, Xianghu continues to expand its cultural circle. It upholds the indomitable spirit symbolized by Kuahuqiao Culture, striving to become the next cultural landmark of Hangzhou.

The Kuahuqiao Culture dates back eight millennia. [Photo/WeChat account: xiaoshanfabu]