The 3rd "Quzhou Lanke Cup" World Weiqi Open Tournament commenced in late June in Quzhou, East China's Zhejiang province, attracting 377 players from around the world to vie for 31 main event slots.

Concurrently, the micro-drama themed around the legend of Lanke Mountain — one of the oldest myths about Go — debuted, spotlighting Quzhou's rich Go culture.

Go, also known as weiqi in Chinese, is a strategy board game for two players. Quzhou, dubbed the birthplace of Go culture, has long prioritized the development of its Go culture.

From tracing back the legend of Lanke Mountain to introducing Go culture to local schools and holding the "Quzhou Lanke Cup", the city has steadily advanced its vision of becoming a "Holy Land of Go".

The Lanke Mountain scenic area is located in Quzhou, Zhejiang province. [Photo/Tide News]

The legend of Lanke Mountain, first recorded by Yu Xi during the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317–420), underscores Quzhou's authentic connection to this cultural heritage. Over the years, Quzhou has published many works on Go and conducted extensive research. Collaborations with international Go associations have contributed significantly to Go's global cultural footprint.

In 2022, Quzhou enacted China's first Go legislation, providing robust support for Go education and cultural promotion. The city also established the first International Go Culture Exchange Center, enhancing its capacity to host significant Go events and fostering international collaboration.

Quzhou's commitment to Go extends to education, with over 100 schools offering Go courses and cultivating notable players like Zhang Xinyu, a rising star in the national Go scene.