When the Southern Song Dynasty moved its capital to Lin’an (modern Hangzhou) in 1138, it brought along the culture of the Central Plains. Their gradual integration evolved into the refined and open-minded culture of the Southern Song Dynasty. Under its rule, Hangzhou became the most prosperous city in the world, with a population exceeding 1.5 million by the mid-13th century. The influence of

Southern Song culture is still evident today in Hangzhou’s economy, architecture, and infrastructure, as well as the arts, culture, and daily life of the local people.