History of Hangzhou

Current population over 6,000,000 people.
Hangzhou is 200km SW of Shanghai
Capital city of the prosperous Zhejiang province. Although one of China's smallest provinces with a total population 50,000,000 people, Zhejiang's jagged coastline contains over 18,000 islands.
Zhejiang, known as the 'Land of Silk', produces about one third of China's raw silk, satin & brocade.
Hangzhou's heritage can be traced back to the Qin dynasty (221BC).
Marco Polo described Hangzhou as one of the most splendid cities in the world.
Hangzhou along with Shaoxing and Ningbo have been important trading ports since the 7th century.
Hangzhou became very prosperous after 610 AD when it was linked to the Grand Canal which shipped food to the less fertile areas in the north of China.
In the 12th century, the Song Dynasty moved its court to Hangzhou. Its population rose from 500,000 to 1,750,000 by 1275. River and sea trade thrived, as did ship building and other naval industries.
The Court subsequently moved to Beijing and over the years the signifance of Hangzhou diminished.
Hangzhou has been home to artists, poets, writers and craftsmen for centuries. The National Fine Art Academy of China is in Hangzhou.
Hangzhou is one of China's most famous tourist attractions. Hence the popular Chinese saying 'In heaven there is paradise, on earth Suzhou and Hangzhou'.
It is bounded by the Qiantang Jiang river to the south and by hills to the west. Between the hills, dotted with small islands and willow-lined causeways lies the Xi Hu (West Lake). A highlight of the region, the 3km lake was created in the 8th century by dredging a lagoon adjoining the Qiantang Jiang River. (There are 36 lakes in China called Xi Hu, that take their name from the lake at Hangzhou, along with countless Chinese Restaurants around the world).
World Famous Long Jin Green Tea is produced in the hills around Hangzhou.