Hangzhou history

The history of Hangzhou spans over two millennia and is closely interwoven with the key eras of China's development. Known for its picturesque landscapes and rich cultural heritage, this city has evolved from a small county settlement into one of the most prosperous capitals of the ancient world.

Foundation and First Mentions

The first settlements in the territory of modern Hangzhou appeared as early as the Neolithic era. However, as an administrative unit, the city was established during the first centralized empire of Qin (221–206 BC), when it was known as Qiantang County. The city received its current name, Hangzhou, in 589 AD during the Sui Dynasty, when the prefecture of the same name was formed and the construction of city walls began.

Key Factors of Development

Hangzhou owes its rapid growth and prosperity to several decisive factors:

• Geographical Location: Its position at the southern end of the Grand Canal, completed in the early 7th century, transformed the city into a vital transport and trade hub connecting the south and north of the country. Proximity to the Qiantang River and the famous West Lake also played a significant role.
• Trade: Thanks to the canal, Hangzhou became a centre of bustling commerce. Goods such as silk, tea, and grain were distributed throughout the country from here. The city quickly earned a reputation as one of the major commercial capitals.
• Political Power: The peak of Hangzhou's power occurred when it became a capital city. Initially, it was the capital of the Wuyue Kingdom (907–978), and later, under the name Lin'an, the capital of the entire Southern Song Empire (1127–1279). During this time, it was one of the largest and most populous cities in the world.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Even in its early history, Hangzhou became famous not only as an economic centre but also as a cultural one. During the Southern Song Dynasty, the city became a true magnet for poets, artists, and scholars. Its beauty, especially the landscapes of West Lake (Xi Hu), inspired many figures of art. The famous traveller Marco Polo, who visited the city in the 13th century, called it "the most beautiful and magnificent city in the world." The production of high-quality silk and the famous "Longjing" tea laid the foundation for the region's economic fame, which persists to this day.

Key Dates in the History of Hangzhou

The history of Hangzhou is a kaleidoscope of great dynasties, cultural flourishing, and dramatic events. The city has repeatedly served as a capital and played a crucial role in the life of China, journeying from a county centre to one of the most prosperous metropolises in the world.

• 221 BC — During the Qin Empire, Qiantang County was founded on the site of modern Hangzhou, marking the first mention of the settlement in official chronicles.
• 589 AD — In the Sui Dynasty era, the city received its current name—Hangzhou—and the construction of the first city walls began.
• 609 AD — Completion of the southern section of the Grand Canal, connecting Hangzhou with the north of the country and turning it into a key trade and transport hub.
• 907–978 — Hangzhou becomes the capital of the independent Wuyue Kingdom, contributing to its cultural and economic growth; many temples and pagodas are built during this time.
• 1127 — After the fall of the Northern Song to the Jurchens, the imperial court moves south, and Hangzhou, renamed Lin'an, becomes the capital of the Southern Song Empire.
• 12th–13th Centuries — The "Golden Age" of Hangzhou: as the capital, the city transforms into the largest and most populous metropolis in the world, a centre of arts, science, and commerce.
• Circa 1280s — The famous Venetian traveller Marco Polo visits Hangzhou and describes it as "the most beautiful and noble city in the world."
• 1279 — Mongol troops led by Kublai Khan capture the city, ending the Southern Song Dynasty era and moving the capital to Beijing.
• 1861 — The city was captured and heavily damaged during the Taiping Rebellion, one of the bloodiest conflicts in Chinese history.
• 2016 — Hangzhou hosts the G20 Summit, demonstrating its new status as a modern international centre of technology and commerce.

• Integration into the Grand Canal (609 AD)
  The completion of the southern section of the canal linked Hangzhou with the northern regions of the country. This event became a key economic driver, turning the city into a major logistics hub for transporting grain and goods, determining its trading specialization for centuries to come.
• Construction of Sea Walls (10th Century, Wuyue Kingdom)
  A major urban planning achievement was the erection of a massive system of dykes to protect against the powerful tides of the Qiantang River. This engineering solution allowed for a significant expansion of the city's habitable territory and secured its economic infrastructure.
• Capital Urbanism of the Southern Song Era (1127–1279)
  Imperial capital status led to explosive population growth and changes in the urban structure. Strict restrictions on trade were abolished, and night markets and entertainment districts appeared, making the city the centre of commercial and cultural life for all of China.
• Rise of the Silk Industry Centre (Ming and Qing Dynasties)
  The development of state and private manufactories cemented the city's status as the "Silk Capital". Textile production became the foundation of the urban economy, forming a unique class of artisans and merchants oriented towards inter-regional trade.
• Opening to Foreign Trade (1895)
  Obtaining the status of a treaty port kickstarted the first wave of modernization. Western-style industrial enterprises, cotton spinning factories, and elements of modern infrastructure began to appear in the city, marking the beginning of the industrial phase of development.
• Ecological Restoration and Tourism (since the 1980s)
  A shift in development focus towards preserving cultural heritage led to large-scale projects for cleaning and improving West Lake. This decision laid the foundation for the city's modern tourism economy, making it one of the most visited places in the country.
• Digital Revolution (Early 21st Century)
  The founding and rise of e-commerce giants transformed the city into a high-tech hub. The transition from traditional industry to the digital economy and fintech has made the city a leader in innovation and a magnet for IT specialists.
• Global Infrastructure Modernization (2016)
  Preparation for the G20 Summit became a catalyst for a radical renewal of the urban environment. The new Qianjiang business district was finalized with futuristic skyscrapers, the metro network was expanded, and transport hubs were modernized, cementing the city's status as an international metropolis.

The architectural appearance of Hangzhou is a unique combination of elegant traditional Chinese aesthetics, centred around the historic West Lake, and ultra-modern urban planning that has unfolded along the Qiantang River. The city's development reflects key eras in China's history, from imperial grandeur to its status as a global technological hub.

Traditional Architecture: Song, Ming, and Qing Dynasties

The Golden Age for Hangzhou was the Southern Song era (1127–1279), when the city was the imperial capital known as Lin'an. The architecture of this period was characterized by elegance, attention to detail, and a desire for harmony with nature. Although many buildings from that time have not survived in their original form, their influence can be traced in iconic landmarks:

• Temples and Pagodas: Classic examples include the Temple of the Soul's Retreat (Lingyin Temple), one of the oldest Buddhist monasteries in China, and the Six Harmonies Pagoda (Liuhe Pagoda). These structures are characterized by multi-tiered curved roofs, complex wooden bracket systems (dougong), and settings that blend into the natural landscape.
• Garden and Park Art: The architecture around West Lake is the benchmark of Chinese landscape design, where pavilions, bridges, and gazebos do not dominate nature but complement it, creating idealized landscapes.
• Urban Development: During the Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1912) dynasties, the development of traditional styles continued. Areas such as the historic Hefang Street showcase the look of the old city with its shops, workshops, and residential houses featuring characteristic tiled roofs.

Modern Development and Urban Planning (20th-21st Centuries)

Since the end of the 20th century, a new stage in Hangzhou's urban development began, marking the transition from the "West Lake Era" to the "Qiantang River Era". This shift materialized in the creation of a new central business district — Qianjiang New Town.

• Modernism and Postmodernism: The new district became a platform for bold architectural experiments. Iconic modern buildings are located here, forming the city's new skyline: the Hangzhou Grand Theatre in the shape of a moon, the International Conference Centre resembling a golden sphere, and the City Administration complex.
• Futuristic Architecture: Skyscrapers in Qianjiang New Town and other new districts, including the Alibaba Group headquarters, demonstrate the latest trends in world architecture, from deconstructivism to parametric design, symbolizing Hangzhou's status as a technological capital.
• Critical Regionalism: A special place in the city's modern architecture is occupied by the work of Pritzker Prize winner Wang Shu. His projects, such as the Xiangshan Campus of the China Academy of Art, combine modern forms with traditional materials (tiles, bamboo, rammed earth) and techniques, reinterpreting historical heritage in a new context.

Thus, Hangzhou's urban development represents a dialogue of eras: the carefully preserved historical core by West Lake sits adjacent to the futuristic business centre on the banks of the Qiantang River, making the city's architectural landscape multi-layered and dynamic.

Notable Figures Associated with Hangzhou

Throughout its rich history, Hangzhou has been home and a source of inspiration for many prominent Chinese figures — from poets and generals to modern innovators. Their legacy has left a deep imprint on the culture and appearance of the city.

• Bai Juyi (772–846) — A great poet and statesman of the Tang Dynasty. While serving as the Governor of Hangzhou, he oversaw the construction of one of the famous causeways on West Lake, which was named in his honour (Bai Causeway). His contribution to the city's development and his praise of its beauty in verse forever linked his name with Hangzhou.
• Su Shi (1037–1101) — A poet, artist, calligrapher, and civil servant of the Song Dynasty, also known by the pseudonym Su Dongpo. Like Bai Juyi, he served as the Governor of Hangzhou and built another causeway on West Lake — the Su Causeway. His poems dedicated to West Lake are considered the pinnacle of Chinese landscape poetry.
• Yue Fei (1103–1142) — A legendary military commander of the Southern Song Dynasty and a national hero of China. He became famous in wars against the Jurchen invaders. Despite his military successes, he was slandered and executed. Later, he was rehabilitated, and his tomb and memorial temple by West Lake became one of the main shrines and attractions of Hangzhou.
• Shen Kuo (1031–1095) — An outstanding polymath scientist of the Song Dynasty. He was a statesman, mathematician, astronomer, geologist, and diplomat. He spent the last years of his life in seclusion in Hangzhou, where he wrote his monumental work "Dream Pool Essays," in which he summarized the scientific knowledge of his time.
• Huang Gongwang (1269–1354) — One of the "Four Great Masters" of Yuan Dynasty painting. He spent his final years in the Fuchun Mountains near Hangzhou. His famous scroll "Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains" is one of the greatest masterpieces in the history of Chinese landscape painting.
• Wang Shu (born 1963) — A world-renowned modern architect who became the first Chinese citizen to receive the Pritzker Prize in 2012. He is the Dean of the School of Architecture at the China Academy of Art in Hangzhou. His projects, such as the Xiangshan Campus, are distinguished by a deep connection with traditions and the use of recycled materials, forming the city's new architectural language.
• Jack Ma (Ma Yun, born 1964) — An iconic figure of modern China, founder of the technology giant Alibaba Group. Born in Hangzhou, he founded his company right here, turning the city into a global centre of e-commerce and innovation, often referred to as "China's Silicon Valley."