Hangzhou Map, Book of Marco Polo, 13th Century

Hangzhou Map, Book of Marco Polo, 13th Century

Hangzhou. Image taken from page 212 of "The Book of Ser Marco Polo, the Venetian, concerning the kingdoms and marvels of the East." Newly translated and edited, with notes, maps and other illustrations by H. Yule, 1875. From the early 12th century until the Mongol invasion of 1276, Hangzhou remained the capital and was known as Lin'an. It served as the seat of the imperial government, a center of trade and entertainment, and the nexus of the main branches of the civil service. During that time the city was a gravitational center of Chinese civilization: what used to be considered "central China" in the north was taken by the Jin, an ethnic minority dynasty ruled by Jurchens. Numerous philosophers, politicians, and men of literature, including some of the most celebrated poets in Chinese history such as Su Shi, Lu You, and Xin Qiji came here to live and die.

Album / Science Source / British Library

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4800 x 2897 px | 39.8 MB

40.6 x 24.5 cm | 16.0 x 9.7 in (300 dpi)