History of Hangzhou

The city of Hangzhou was founded by the Qin dynasty, more than 2,200 years back and recognized as one of the Seven Ancient Capitals of China.

During the 10th century, Hangzhou became the capital of the Wuyue kingdom. Named Xifu at that time, it became a major cultural center, boasting fascinating Buddhist temple architecture. It also had diplomatic connections with neighboring countries.

The Sui dynasty built the Grand Canal which became a major transport link between South and North China. As the southern terminus of this waterway (the northern terminus became Beijing), Huangzhou’s importance increased manifold.

The creation of the West Lake on the western edge of Hangzhou during the Tang period added to Huangzhou’s importance.

From the early 12th century onwards, Hangzhou, then called Lin’an, reached the peak of its prosperity as the capital of the Southern Song dynasty. The seat of the Chinese government, it drew famous intellectuals from all over China. When the Venetian explorer Marco Polo visited Hangzhou, he called the city “the finest and the noblest in the world.” With a population of more than one million by then, Hangzhou was considered the world’s largest city for quite some time.

The Southern Song dynasty fell with the Mongol invasion but Huangzhou continued to flourish due to its naval trade and commerce.

Hangzhou was a major port in China for several years.But during the middle Ming dynasty, its fame as a port area declined as its harbor silted up, gradually.

In 1895 under the Treaty of Shimonoseki, Huangzhou was opened to foreigners.

For about two decades since 1928 Huangzhou was ruled by The Republic of China government led by Kuomintang.

When the People’s Liberation Army entered Huangzhou on May 3, 1949, the city of Huangzhou came under the control of the Communists. Huangzhou with its famous West Lake is now a major tourist attraction of the People’s Republic of China.