Discover Hangzhou’s imperial past through the city once known as Lin’an.
From Wuyue to Southern Song
Hangzhou served as a capital of the Wuyue kingdom in the tenth century. In 1138, the Southern Song court established its capital at Lin’an, now Hangzhou. This distinction matters: 1127 marks the start of the Southern Song period, rather than the formal establishment of its capital here.
Trade, culture and urban life
The capital drew merchants, officials, craftspeople and artists. Waterways connected the city to regional markets, while the court helped support a rich cultural life.
The surviving landscape and later reconstructions tell different parts of that story. Qinghefang and Southern Song Imperial Street offer an accessible introduction; museums add the context of archaeological objects and historical interpretation.
Explore the legacy
Combine a visit to the historic streets with the museums and West Lake. Song Dynasty Village presents themed entertainment inspired by this past; it should be understood as a modern attraction rather than an intact imperial settlement.
