Goddess Peak, Wu Gorge
The Yangtze River Basin has long been the center of the southern China in terms of economy, politics, and economy. Meanwhile, the Yangtze River culture also represents the culture of the southern China area. However, culture of different areas along Yangtze River, due to intricate natural environment, developed in different paces. During the Qin and Han periods, the cultural center of Yangtze Basin was in the upper stream, especially in Sichuan Basin. However, from the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907), the cultural center began to move from west to east along the Yangtze River. To the Ming (1368 - 1644) and Qing (1644 - 1911) Dynasties, the prosperous “Jiangnan” (South of Yangtze River) of that time only referred to the present Shanghai, Zhejiang and Jiangsu in the lower stream of Yangtze River.
Ba & Shu Culture, Jing & Xiang Culture, and Wu & Yue Culture are representatives of the upper, middle and lower reaches of Yangtze River.
Ba & Shu Culture
Ba & Shu Culture was originated in Sichuan Basin of the upper reach of Yangtze River. It is recorded that the Ba people was an ancient tribe lived near Han River. The Ba Kingdom was first established in the Western Zhou Dynasty (11th Century - 771BC). Defeated by Chu State during the Spring and Autumn Period (770BC - 476BC), Ba people moved southward to Sichuan and Chongqing areas, and reestablished Ba Kingdom. The earliest Shu Kingdom was founded during the Xia (21st - 17th Century BC) and Shang (17th - 11th Century BC) Dynasties in Sichuan Basin, and then set Chengdu as the capital in the Warring States Period (476 - 221 BC). The Ba and Shu kingdoms both were defeated by the Qin State and the Sichuan Basin became the territory of Qin in 316 BC.
Archeological excavations indicate that human activities appeared early in the late Paleolithic Age and Neolithic Period in Sichuan area. Because of the isolation caused by rugged mountains, Sichuan area was not influenced by wars. The favored natural environment of Sichuan Basin also ensured the development of economy and culture in the area, especially during the Qin (221 - 207 BC) and Han (206 BC - 220 AD) Dynasties. The achievement in agriculture, bronze wares, lacquer wares, and tapestry were much more advanced than those of the middle and lower reaches of Yangtze River. Even the lacquer wares uncovered in middle reach of the river were stamped with “Made in Chengdu”.
Jing & Xiang Culture
Jing & Xiang culture was originated from the middle reach of Yangtze River, including present Hubei and Hunan provinces. Centered on Dongting Lake and Xiang River, the area has long been the transportation hub in China since ancient times.
Archeological excavation found traces of human activities appeared in the area as early as the Paleolithic Period. Jing & Xiang culture reached its peak during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods. Copper made reach its peak and made contribution to the improvement and spread of ironware. Silk waving and embroidery production of the area were also very famous. In addition, the great philosopher Lao Zi and patriotic poet Qu Yuan both lived in the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods in the area.
The Jing & Xiang culture went through its decline from the Qin and Han Dynasties to the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279). Until the establishment of Yuelu Academy in the Song Dynasty, Jing & Xiang Culture saw its revival, but the center was moved to Jiangxi Province rather Hubei or Hunan.
Wu & Yue Culture
Wu & Yue Culture refers to the culture in Southern Jiangsu, Southern Anhui, and Zhejiang Provinces in the lower reach of Yangtze River. Archeological research shows that the Wu & Yue culture originated from the Paleolithic Period. The famous Hemudu Culture, Majiabang Culture, and Liangzhu Culture of the Neolithic Period were all uncovered in the area.
The Wu & Yue Culture was named after the Wu and Yue States of the Spring and Autunm and Warring States Periods. Wu and Yue were both powerful states, and their copper smelting, shipbuilding, seafaring, agriculture, and textile industries ranked the top among all the states. From the Sui and Tang Dynasties when the Grand Canal was opened and economic center was moved southward, Wu & Yue culture gradually became important and saw its best days in the Yuan (1271 - 1368), Ming, and Qing Dynasties. Small towns sprang up in the lower reach of Yangtze River since the Tang and Song Dynasties and till the Ming and Qing Dynasties, well-developed small towns in the area attracted large amount of merchants. Industry, commerce, and culture of the area were in prosperity.
