In 1127, the ninth son of Emperor Huizong of Song, Zhao Gou survived the Jingkang Accident (a historical event during which the capital of the Song Dynasty was conquered by Jurchen) and succeeded the throne in Nanjing in 1129 and moved the capital to Hangzhou, the then Lin’an in 1138. To differ the period from the Song Dynasty, the period was then called by Chinese as the Southern Song Dynasty. As the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty, Hangzhou reached its climax during the period.
The Southern Song Dynasty is a significant period of Hangzhou and helped shaped the culture and characters of Hangzhou, so to understand Hangzhou, one shall start by knowing the Southern Song Dynasty. The following places are the best places to do so.
Where to Go
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Southern Song Imperial Street
Southern Song Imperial Street is a main avenue paved in the Southern Song Dynasty. According to documentary records, more than 10,000 flagstones were used. The street stretches from the intersection of Wansong Mountain and Phoenix Hill Road , passing through Zhongshan Road M. and N., to the intersection of Fengqi Road...
Address: Shangcheng District
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Yue Fei Mausoleum
General Yue Fei (1103–1142) was a patriotic national hero of Southern Song Dynasty (1127–1279) who was widely admired. However, he was framed by the devious Prime Minister—Qin Hui (秦桧,1090-1155) and murdered for crimes he didn’t commit. In 1163, he was proved to be innocent and his corpse was reburied at the present site.
Address: No.80, Beishan Road, Hangzhou (杭州市北山路80号)
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Eight-Diagram Field
Eight-Diagram Field used to be owned by the imperial courts of the Southern Song Dynasty. In 1143, Zhao Gou, the Emperor Gaozong of Song ordered to open up the field to show his respect to agriculture and pray on a good harvest. Every spring when it was time for spring plow, the emperor would bring along his civil and military officials to the field...
Address: South of Jade Emperor Hill
