杭州歷史悠久，是中國的七大古都之一，是國家首批命名的歷史文化名城，有“上有天堂、下有蘇杭”的美譽。

　　自秦朝設(shè)縣治以來，至今已有2200多年的歷史。杭州是華夏文明的發(fā)祥地之一，早在8000多年前，就有人類在此繁衍生息。距今5000多年的良渚文化被史界稱為“文明的曙光”。

　　杭州曾是五代吳越國和南宋王朝兩代建都地，被13世紀意大利旅行家馬可•波羅贊嘆為“世界上最美麗華貴之城”。

　　參考譯文：

　　Hangzhou

　　Renowned as one of China's seven Ancient Capitals, historic Hangzhou is proudly among the first group of cities that the central government designated as Historic and Cultural City. Hangzhou shares with Suzhou the ultimate fame of Paradise on Earth.

　　Hangzhou's history goes back over 2,200 years to the Qin Dynasty which first brought in the rule of County System.

　　There are also vidences which prove the existence of human settlement early as 8,000 years ago, affirming Hangzhou as one of the cradles for the Chinese Civilization.

　　Again, the local Liangzhu Culture that emerged 3,000 years later comes to be known as the Dawn of Civilization.

　　Marco Polo, the Italian traveler of the 13th century, lauded Hangzhou as "the world's most magnificent and noble city."