Definition

Proper noun * Hangchow: A major city in eastern China, the capital of Zhejiang province, situated on Hangzhou Bay. Historically, it was famously described by the Venetian explorer Marco Polo as the finest and most splendid city in the world.

Usage

• Hangchow is the historical romanization for the modern city of Hangzhou. It is primarily used in historical texts, older travel writings, and accounts from the period of Western exploration in China.
• Example: "In his 13th-century travels, Marco Polo wrote extensively about the grandeur of Hangchow."

Advanced Usage

• The name Hangchow represents a specific transliteration system (Wade-Giles) used before the widespread adoption of the modern Pinyin system. Its use today often signals a historical or literary context.
• Example: "Many early European maps label the city as Hangchow."

Variants and Related Words

• Hangzhou (n.): The modern, standard Pinyin romanization and the current official name of the city. This is the term used in contemporary contexts.
• Example: "Hangzhou will host the 2023 Asian Games."

Synonyms

• Hangzhou: The direct and modern synonym.
• Lin'an (n.): The historical name of the city when it served as the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127–1279).

Notes on Meaning

• The primary meaning of Hangchow is as a proper noun referring to the specific Chinese city. Its notable secondary meaning is tied to its description in Marco Polo's , where it became emblematic of Eastern opulence and splendor in the Western imagination.
• Example: "For centuries, Hangchow was synonymous with ultimate urban beauty in European literature."

Noun

1. a city of eastern China on Hangzhou Bay; regarded by Marco Polo as the finest city in the world