Chinese Historical Folk Painting Art - A Comprehensive Guide to Chinese Painting Art

Author: Zhang Shuheng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: Yangzhou, anciently known as Guangling, is situated at the strategic junction of the Yangtze and Huaihe rivers, where the Grand Canal meets the Yangtze. It has long been a key town in southeastern China. During the transition from the Ming to the Qing dynasty, although Yangzhou suffered heavy destruction due to its resistance against the Qing forces, by the mid-Qing period, it once again flourished, with highly developed commercial economy, thriving industries, and a gathering of cultural talents, becoming an important economic and cultural center in the country. The prosperity of Yangzhou's economy and culture in the 18th century was mainly due to the thriving salt trade. At that time, Yangzhou was the center of the salt trade in Jiangnan, with the office of the Salt Administration Commissioner for the Two Huai Regions (Shu) located here. Salt merchants from all over the country gathered here for the convenience of transportation and trade.