History ( 扬州历史 )

As the visitor is reminded around nearly every corner, Yangzhou has a long, rich, and water transport dominated history. The city’s 2,500 years of history begin with its construction along the Grand Canal which linked the mighty Yangtze and Yellow rivers. A few hundred years later the canal was extended to connect it with the strategically more important Huai river, leading to a boom in Yangzhou’s commerce. By the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) Yangzhou became one of the most economically prosperous cities in the world, leaving behind a wealth present to this day. In fact, the population during the Tang Dynasty was roughly the same as it is today (around 500,000).
 

Its favorable trade location brought a great amount of foreign traffic into Yangzhou, as it was one of the first cities in China to engage in international trade. Countless Arabian merchants, including important Muslim figures such as Puhaddin, traveled to and from Yangzhou as well as many Japanese traders and monks. Even Marco Polo came to Yangzhou and served in the government here for two years, describing the city as a “wonderland.”
 

The Qing Dynasty brought about a resurgence in Yangzhou’s commerce with the salt trade. The trade catapulted the city back to its earlier prominence, and allowed for a flourishing art and cultural scene, a trait always associated with Yangzhou. Influential Qing emperors such as Kang Xi and Qian Long both made frequent tours of Yangzhou, and because of this many parks and gardens were built in their honor. Places like Ye Chun and the Qian Long Waterway serve as reminders of these Imperial visits.
 

Fortunately, Yangzhou escaped considerable damage and pillaging by wars and upheavals, and its history lives on in abundance. The city is ideal for historically inclined travelers. Many of its sights are a little dusty, but still have that old China smell, making it feel as if you are truly observing a living piece of ancient history.