Hangzhou History

Hangzhou is an ancient city with a history of 2,200 years.

Here is a popular saying that "In heaven there is Paradise, On earth there are Suzhou and Hangzhou."

Hangzhou's inordinate beauty has been an inspiration to artists for centuries - Lin Hejiang, a tenth century poet is famous for having lived as a recluse on Solitary island for twenty years. And indeed, two more of China's most influential poets, Bai Juyi and Su Dongpo, served as governors here at that time.

During the Qing dynasty (1644-1911), due to the palace and important library built by such notables as the Emperor Kangxi and Emperor Qianlong, the city became a popular tourist destination known all over the world. Similarly, during the late twentieth century, Mao Ze Dong was smitten by its charm. He snatched moments from his hectic political life to write "Ode to the Mume Blossom", which by its very title recalls Lin Heijiang's "To the Mume Blossom", written a thousand years earlier. In addition, its local industries developed rapidly during this time, especially silk weaving, and became the silk center for all of China.

Hangzhou rose to notability as the capital of the Southern Song dynasty (1127-1279). Forced to flee before the invading Jurched, the Imperial court under the rule of the pusillanimous Emperor Gaozong (1107-1187) moved its capital southwards from Kaifeng to Hangzhou. Under the protection of this court, Hangzhou's arts and commerce received unprecedented impetus. In Marco Polo's words, that is "a city of heaven...the finest and most splendid city in the world."

Seven hundred years later, Hangzhou's West Lake continues to draw travelers from home and abroad with its inviting views and outstanding scenery.

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