Hangzhou History & Culture

After the Qin Dynasty unified the six kingdoms, it established a county seat at the foot of Lingyin Mountain, named Qiantang. In 589, Qiantang County was abolished and Hangzhou was established, marking the first historical appearance of the name Hangzhou. In 1912, the former Qiantang and Renhe counties were merged to form Hangzhou County. In 1927, Hangzhou City was established by dividing the urban area of Hangzhou County and other areas. Excavations at the Kuahuqiao ruins within Hangzhou City reveal that humans have lived and thrived there for over 8,000 years. The Liangzhu Culture, dating back over 5,000 years, is known as the "dawn of Chinese civilization." Hangzhou is a key birthplace of Chinese civilization, renowned as the "Famous County of Southeast China." Hangzhou was the capital of both the Wuyue Kingdom of the Five Dynasties and the Southern Song Dynasty.