Historical Chronology

Yue Fei (1103-1142) one of Chinas greatest generals and patriotic heroes.

4700 BC The Liangzhu Culture

200 BC Foundation of Hangzhou during the Qin Dynasty

589 The city is named Hangzhou

591 A city wall was constructed under the Sui Dynasty

610 The Grand Canal from Beijing to Hangzhou is ready

907 Capital of the Kingdom of Wuyue

1089 A 2.8 km long dike across the West Lake is constructed by Su Shi

1127  Capital of the Southern Song Dynasty

1170 Population numbered about 450 000

1180 Hangzhou is believed to be the largest city in the world.

1237 About 30 000 buildings destroyed in a great fire

1276 Hangzhou ended as the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty

1368 Centre of silk industry.

1861 The Taiping Uprising (1861-1863) largely destroyed the city.

1928 The city is ruled by the Nationalists (Kuomintang) under Chiang Kai-shek until 1949.

1949  Hangzhou is liberated by the Communists.