Zhejiang has a long history. As early as in the Old Stone Age about 50,000 years ago, the primitive man called the Jiande Man lived in the hilly regions in the western part of what is now Zhejiang Province.

Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang Province

During the New Stone Age, human activities extended to a wider area in this province.Over 100 sites of ruins of this period have been discovered in the province.

During the period of the Three Kingdoms (220-280), this area gained the administrative status as a province. Then in 758, under the reign of Emperor Suzong of the Tang Dynasty, the place took initial shape of what administratively a province was really like.

The Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279) made Hangzhou, known as Lin'an at the time, the national capital for 150 years. In the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the region was officially designated with the name of Zhejiang Province.

Zhejiang saw its economy develop earlier than most of other parts in China. In ancient times, the province led the country in industries and handicrafts, such as silk, porcelain, papermaking, publishing, and shipbuilding. Zhejiang is also the hometown of many outstanding talents.

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