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.