Zhejiang Province, China

History and Culture of Zhejiang

Zhejiang is blessed with a rich cultural heritage. Seven thousand years ago, Hemudu Culture is one of the cradles of the Chinese civilization. Hemudu was the world's origin of paddy rice cultivation. Liangzhu Culture of 4,200-5,300 years ago, situated near the Taihu Lake and the Qiantang River, was another major peak of proto-Chinese civilization. The invention of silk and jade carving were Liangzhu man’s most important contributions to mankind. In remote antiquity the legendary King Yu braved wind and rain and tamed the flooding rivers. After his death, his remains were buried in Shaoxing. Since Qing Dynasty, the mausoleum and temple of King Yu have become a popular sanctuary for people to worship the legendary hero. In terms of Buddhism, Zhejiang also enjoys a good reputation. During the fourth century, Dafo Temple in Xinchang, Asoka Temple and Tiantong Temple in Ningbo, Guoqing Temple in Tiantai, and Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou were very famous. Guoqing Temple later became the cradle of the Tendai Sect, and Tiangtong Temple the cradle of the Soto-shu Sect of Japanese Buddhism. More than one millennium later today, they remain outstanding representatives of Buddhism culture.

Archaeologists have discovered evidence that rice agriculture has been practiced in Zhejiang Province for over 7000 years, and silk worms have been raised for at least 4700 years. The Zhejiang region comes into written history as a prize competed for by various kingdoms, a period which lasted from 400 BC until the 13th century AD. Industrial development began as early as the 1st and 2nd centuries AD when salt making and porcelain industries were established. Commerce and trading became important after 300 AD, and the quantities of grain available in Zhejiang resulted in the Grand Canal being extended to Hangzhou in the 7th century.

When the Southern Song dynasty emperors established their capital at Hangzhou in 1127 AD, northern Zhejiang became the political and cultural center for all of China, and the area was made famous by many painters and poets. The prosperity continued until time of the Taiping Rebellion in 1862, when Hangzhou was destroyed. It rose again in importance after the Chinese Revolution of 1911-12, when it was a power base for the Guomindang (Nationalist) party under Chiang Kai-shek. Zhejiang was occupied by the Japanese during the Second World War (1937-45) but was not severely affected by the Civil War of 1946-49 which brought the Communists to power.

Today Zhejiang is China's leading producer of tea, and the second biggest producer of silk. Its many other crops include: rice, wheat, corn (maize), potatoes, cotton, sugar cane, bamboo, oranges, mushrooms, fish, shellfish and kelp. Its most important mineral resources include fluorite, coal and salt. The industries of Zhejiang, and most of its wealth, are driven by its abundant hydroelectric power. Its leading products are machinery, textiles, petrochemicals, food products and building materials.

China is the native place of chinaware. Zhejiang is the origin of celadon (chinaware having a translucent, pale green glaze). During the 11th and 12th centuries, among five major porcelain-making kilns, two—the Longquan Kiln and Hangzhou Official Kiln—were in Zhejiang. It is these famous kilns that propelled the Chinese porcelain-making industry to its pinnacle, enabling porcelain to become both practical utensils and works of art, and a major hallmark of ancient Chinese civilization.

Silk, tea, and paper-making, too, were so well developed that they endowed the land of Zhejiang with a unique oriental aesthetic aura. With sparkling waters and graceful hills, great men of past times have filled Zhejiang’s history with their deeds, and its land with their renown. The province has always been in the front ranks in education, science and technology, and culture and art. Zhejiang exerts a major influence on Chinese literature, theatre, painting, calligraphy, and arts and crafts. There are five famous historical and cultural cities at national level in Zhejiang, which are Hangzhou, Ningbo, Shaoxing, Quzhou and Linhai. Hangzhou, the capital city, is one of the seven ancient capital cities in China, and also a famous tourist city.

Thanks to her long lasting history, splendid culture, unique natural environment, Zhejiang is worthy of the compliments such as “Land of Fish and Rice”, ”Home of Silk”, “Place of Cultural Heritage” and “Paradise for Tourists ”, which have been lavished since ancient times.

Travel in Hangzhou:      West Lake      Linyin Temple      Pagoda of Six Harmonies

Zhejiang Tours - Zhejiang Tour Zhejiang Travel