Hangzhou is
famous historical and cultural city in China, reputed
as one of the 7 major ancient capitals in the Chinese
history.
Hangzhou has a long history and it has been found
that fifty thousand years ago the "Jiande people",
one of the ancient homo sapiens, lived in this area.
In the late Neolithic Period more than five thousand
years ago, ancestors of Hangzhou people inhabited
the area around the Liangzhu, the northern suburb
of the city, and were engaged in primitive agriculture,
livestock raising, fishing and hunting. From the
Spring and Autumn Period to the Warring States Period,
the area was occupied as the territory of Wu, Yue
and Chu successively. When Emperor Qin Shihuang
defeated all the princes and unified China, this
area was established as Qiantang County. The name
was changed to Hangzhou during the reign of Emperor
Sui Kaihuang and lasted to this day. Established
as capital in the periods of the Five Dynasties
and the Southern Song Dynasty, and lasting for more
than 200 years, Hangzhou saw its height of power
and splendor in its history, and was called the
"first city in the Southeast China". During
the period of Yuan Dynasty, Hangzhou was established
as a town of strategic importance, with flourishing
economy and beautiful scenery, being, in the words
of the Italian traveler Marco Polo, the "most
beautiful and luxurious city in the world".
In the period of Ming and Qing Dynasties, Hangzhou
was still leading the way in economic, social and
cultural development in China.
After the founding of the People's Republic of China,
Hangzhou became the capital of Zhejiang Province,
functioning as the political, economic and cultural
center, as well as a transportation hub in the province.
With the renowned sight-seeing spot, West Lake,
being trimmed and harnessed on an unprecedented
scale, Hangzhou has become a famous city for scenery
tourism in the world.
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