RenownedasoneofChina'ssevenAncientCapitals,historicHangzhouisproudlyamongthefirstgroupofcitiesthatthecentralgovernmentdesignatedasHistoricandCulturalCity.HangzhoushareswithSuzhoutheultimatefameofParadiseonEarth.
Hangzhou'shistorygoesbackover2,200yearstotheQinDynastywhichfirstbroughtintheruleofCountySystem.
Therearealsovidenceswhichprovetheexistenceofhumansettlementearlyas8,000yearsago,affirmingHangzhouasoneofthecradlesfortheChineseCivilization.
Again,thelocalLiangzhuCulturethatemerged3,000yearslatercomestobeknownastheDawnofCivilization.
MarcoPolo,theItaliantravelerofthe13thcentury,laudedHangzhouas"theworld'smostmagnificentandnoblecity."