Zhejiang is a coastal province in eastern China, on the southern shore of the Yangtze River Delta and the East China Sea. It is one of China's smallest provinces by land area yet one of its wealthiest and most densely populated, anchored by the historic capital Hangzhou and its famous West Lake. Zhejiang is celebrated for its canal-laced water towns, sacred Buddhist mountain of Putuo Shan, tea plantations, and a coastline scattered with thousands of islands.
Historical timeline
Key moments that shaped Zhejiang.
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1
Hemudu Culture
Neolithic settlers at Hemudu near Yuyao cultivate rice and build wooden pile-dwellings, among the earliest evidence of rice farming in the Yangtze delta region
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2
Liangzhu Culture Flourishes
The Liangzhu culture near Hangzhou develops sophisticated jade carving, rammed-earth city walls and water-management systems, later recognized as an early Chinese state-level society
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3
State of Yue Defeats Wu
King Goujian of Yue, based around present-day Shaoxing, defeats the rival State of Wu, a story still recalled through the region's Yue-Wu rivalry legends
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4
Qin Unification Reaches the Region
The Qin Dynasty incorporates the former Yue territory, establishing commanderies across what is now Zhejiang
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5
Grand Canal Reaches Hangzhou
The Sui Dynasty extends the Grand Canal south to Hangzhou, linking the city to the northern capital and accelerating its growth as a trade hub
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6
Wuyue Kingdom
The independent Wuyue Kingdom, with its capital at Hangzhou, sponsors temple building and irrigation works, later submitting peacefully to the Song Dynasty
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7
Hangzhou Becomes Southern Song Capital
After fleeing the Jurchen invasion of the north, the Southern Song court establishes its capital, Lin'an, at present-day Hangzhou, ushering in a golden age of commerce and culture around West Lake
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8
Mongol Conquest of Hangzhou
Yuan Dynasty forces under Kublai Khan take Hangzhou; Marco Polo later describes the city as one of the finest and noblest in the world
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9
Wokou Pirate Raids
Coastal Zhejiang suffers repeated raids by Wokou pirates, prompting the construction of coastal fortifications and General Qi Jiguang's campaigns against them
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10
Tianyige Library Founded
Ming official Fan Qin completes Tianyige in Ningbo, which survives as the oldest existing private library in China
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11
Taiping Rebellion Devastates the Region
Taiping forces occupy Hangzhou and much of Zhejiang, causing widespread destruction before Qing forces retake the province
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12
Ningbo Opens as a Treaty Port
Following the Opium Wars, Ningbo's Old Bund develops as a foreign concession district along the Yong River
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13
Death of Lu Xun
Shaoxing-born writer Lu Xun, a central figure of modern Chinese literature, dies in Shanghai; his native Shaoxing home is preserved as a memorial site
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14
Modern Economic Growth
Zhejiang, home to Alibaba's headquarters in Hangzhou, becomes one of China's wealthiest provinces and hosts the 2016 G20 Summit in Hangzhou
Historical sites
Places where Zhejiang's past comes alive.
Six Harmonies Pagoda (Liuhe Pagoda)
Where: Hangzhou
Admission: Scenic area CNY 20 (approx $2.98); additional CNY 10 (approx $1.49) to climb the pagoda interior
Feilai Feng Grottoes
Where: Hangzhou
Admission: Included in the Lingyin Temple combined ticket, CNY 75 (approx $11.18)
Yue Fei Temple and Tomb
Where: Hangzhou
Admission: CNY 25 (approx $3.73)
Baochu Pagoda
Where: Hangzhou
Admission: Free
Tianyige Library
Where: Ningbo
Admission: CNY 30 (approx $4.47)
Baoguo Temple
Where: Ningbo
Admission: CNY 15 (approx $2.24)
Ningbo Old Bund Historic District
Where: Ningbo
Admission: Free
Shaoxing Ancient City (Cangqiao Historic District)
Where: Shaoxing
Admission: Free
Lu Xun's Former Residence
Where: Shaoxing
Admission: Free entry to the former residence; combined scenic pass to related sites CNY 100 (approx $14.90)
Wuzhen Xizha Ancient Architecture Complex
Where: Tongxiang, Jiaxing
Admission: CNY 150 (approx $22.35)
Xitang Ancient Town Bridges and Lanes
Where: Jiashan, Jiaxing
Admission: Through-ticket to nine historic sites CNY 95 (approx $14.16)
Xiaolianzhuang Garden, Nanxun
Where: Nanxun District, Huzhou
Admission: Included in the Nanxun combined ticket, CNY 100 (approx $14.90)
Jiaye Tang Library, Nanxun
Where: Nanxun District, Huzhou
Admission: Included in the Nanxun combined ticket, CNY 100 (approx $14.90)
Longyou Grottoes
Where: Longyou County, Quzhou
Admission: CNY 85 (approx $12.67)
Quzhou Confucian Temple (Nanzong Kong Temple)
Where: Quzhou
Admission: CNY 50 (approx $7.45)
Puji Temple, Mount Putuo
Where: Putuoshan Island, Zhoushan
Admission: Included in the Mount Putuo island entrance fee, CNY 160 (approx $23.85)