Zhejiang has been known by several names in ancient times, including:
- Qiantang
- Kuaiji
- Yuhang
- Qiantang
- Xifu
- Mancheng
I. Ancient History of Zhejiang
Prehistoric Period
Human activities in Zhejiang date back over a million years. More than a hundred Neolithic sites have been discovered, including:
- Liangzhu Culture (4,000-5,000 years ago)
- Hemudu Culture (5,000-7,000 years ago)
- Majiabang Culture (over 6,000 years ago)
- Kuahuqiao Culture (7,000-8,000 years ago)
- Shangshan Culture (around 10,000 years ago)
Spring and Autumn Period & Warring States
During the Spring and Autumn period, Zhejiang was part of the states of Wu and Yue, and in the Warring States period, it belonged to Chu.
Qin and Han Dynasties
After the Qin unified the six states, Zhejiang was divided into Kuaiji Commandery, Zhang Commandery, and Minzhong Commandery. During the Han Dynasty, it was part of the Yangzhou administrative region.
Three Kingdoms to Yuan Dynasty
In the Three Kingdoms period, Zhejiang became part of the Eastern Wu territory, still under Yangzhou. During the Tang Dynasty, it first belonged to Jiangnan Circuit, then Jiangnan East Circuit, further split into Zhejiang East Circuit and Zhejiang West Circuit. The name “Zhejiang” began to be used as an administrative division at this time.
In the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, Qian Liu of Lin’an established the Wuyue Kingdom, again under Jiangnan Circuit. In the Northern Song Dynasty, Zhejiang was part of the Two Zhejiang Circuit. The Southern Song Dynasty established its capital in Lin’an (modern-day Hangzhou) and divided it into the Two Zhejiang West Road and Two Zhejiang East Road.
During the Yuan Dynasty, Zhejiang was under the Jiangzhe Central Government.
Ming and Qing Dynasties
In the early Ming Dynasty, Zhejiang was established as a province and was referred to as Zhejiang Province. This name was officially adopted and later changed to Zhejiang Provincial Government, defining its boundaries.
In the early Qing Dynasty, it was renamed Zhejiang Province, a name that has been in use ever since.