Hangzhou, one of China’s seven ancient capitals and a birthplace of Huaxia Civilization, is renowned across the land as “the Distinguished Prefecture of the Southeast”.

Archaeological excavations at the Kuahuqiao Site prove that human communities thrived here over 8,000 years ago. The Liangzhu Culture, dating back more than 5,000 years, is hailed as “the Dawn of Chinese Civilization”.

The city boasts a recorded administrative history of over 2,200 years, starting with the county government established in 222 BC during the Qin Dynasty. In 589 (the 9th year of the Kaihuang reign of the Sui Dynasty), the Qiantang Commandery was abolished and Hangzhou Prefecture founded, marking the first appearance of the name “Hangzhou” in historical records.

Hangzhou served as the imperial capital for two dynasties: the Wuyue Kingdom (907–978) of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, and the Southern Song Dynasty (1138–1279). The 13th-century Italian explorer Marco Polo praised it as “the finest and most splendid city in the world”.

In 1912 (the 1st year of the Republic of China), the former Qiantang and Renhe Counties were merged into Hang County. In 1927 (the 16th year of the Republic of China), urban areas were separated from Hang County to establish the City of Hangzhou — the official founding of Hangzhou as a city.

Hangzhou was liberated on May 3, 1949, ushering in a brand-new chapter in its development.