Unveiling the Millennium-Old Salt Transport Legacy of the Song Dynasty

In the Jiubao Street area of Hangzhou lies an ancient village called Xuanjiabu, which has a history dating back nearly a thousand years. Today, Xuanjiabu has successfully been included in the cultural heritage protection list due to its unique charm.

The history of Xuanjiabu can be traced back to the Song Dynasty. During the Northern Song period, its favorable location near the Tanghe River made it an important node on the salt transportation route. In the fifth year of the Xining period of the Northern Song Dynasty, Su Dongpo, who was then serving as the vice-prefect of Hangzhou, personally inspected the salt transportation route and left behind poems about the salt industry. These poems have been passed down through the ages, allowing us to feel the influence of Song Dynasty culture on the Xuanjiabu area as early as a thousand years ago.

Xuanjiabu's advantageous geographic location and the flourishing salt industry spurred the circulation of goods in the surrounding areas, gradually forming a village and market. During the Southern Song period, with the southward migration of the Song court, Hangzhou welcomed new development opportunities, and Xuanjiabu's agricultural and commercial economy entered an important initial stage. At that time, Xuanjiabu was not only a key route for official salt transportation, but the private salt trade also thrived here, making the market bustling and commerce vibrant.

As times changed, Xuanjiabu also experienced significant transformations. During the People's Republic of China era, the expansion of Hangzhou Jianqiao Airport led to the relocation of Xuanjiabu's old street and wharves, with most residents moving to Jiaxing, Huzhou, and Jiutang communities. In 1958, Xuanjiabu Township and several nearby townships merged to form the new Jiubao Commune, and Xuanjiabu's thousand-year-old street gradually faded from the historical stage.

Although the old street of Xuanjiabu no longer exists, its roots remain, and its history endures. Walking along the village paths of Xuanjiabu, one can still feel the ancient culture of the Song Dynasty and touch the historical pulse beneath his feet. Xuanjiabu is not only a place name in Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, but also a testament to the legacy of Song Dynasty culture in Hangzhou.