Nanyang,Cradle of Chu Culture

One of the starting points of the Silk Road

Nanyang, rich in silk in ancient times, had an advantageous geographical location and convenient waterway transportation. Therefore, many merchants gathered here to do business with the merchants from the Western Regions. Lots of materials like documents and western cultural relics excavated in Nanyang proves that it was one of the starting points of the Silk Road.

The cradle of Chinese Chu culture

　　[Photo from nanyang.gov.cn]

Nanyang is the cradle of Chinese Chu culture,the culture of the Chu Kingdom in the Spring and Autumn Period (770–476 BC). According to archaeological discoveries and studies, Danyang, the first capital of the Kingdom of Chu, was located in the Liguanqiao Basin in Xichuan county, Nanyang city.

　　[Photo from nanyang.gov.cn]

Since the 1970s, a larger number of Chu tombs have been explored and a wealth of relics has been excavated both here and in the center of Nanyang city. Some exquisite bronze wares and jade articles represent the highest level of Chu culture. The tradition, items and folk customs of the Chu culture, with a far-reaching influence, laid a foundation for the prosperity of the Han culture in Nanyang.

　　[Photo from nanyang.gov.cn]

　　[Photo from nanyang.gov.cn]

The Han culture is a peak in the development of Chinese culture. In the Western and Eastern Han dynasties, Nanyang had a prosperous economy, a stable political environment, prosperous culture and progressive society. Such an environment cultivated numerous outstanding people, such as Zhang Heng (an astronomer), Zhang Zhongjing (a medical scientist), Zhuge Liang (a militarist), etc. who made contributions to medicine, science and metallurgy leading, the world.

　　[Photo from nanyang.gov.cn]

There is an abundance of relics of the Han Dynasty in Nanyang. Among these relics, ceramic dogs, portrait stones and portrait bricks, honored as the "three greatest cultural objects in Nanyang" together, are well-known around the world.

　　[Photo from nanyang.gov.cn]