A socio-cultural history of sites in Ming Hangzhou

A groundbreaking analysis of Ming-era Hangzhou reveals that historical sites, including official shrines, Buddhist monasteries, and West Lake, were not the exclusive domain of any single social group or the state. Instead, their construction, maintenance, and cultural meanings were collectively shaped through cooperation, negotiation, and contestation among diverse societal groups. This dual perspective—encompassing both physical and imagined dimensions of sites—exposes the dynamic interplay of power, identity, and historical memory in Ming society. The study highlights how these sites served as contested resources, sometimes fostering restoration efforts but also sparking violent engagements, such as the destruction of statues or religious carvings. By centering on place-based histories, this research offers a nuanced understanding of Ming social dynamics, challenging traditional narratives and illuminating the multiplicity of voices in cultural landscape production.

Cheung, D. H. H. (2011). A socio-cultural history of sites in Ming Hangzhou. University of British Columbia. https://doi.org/10.14288/1.0072182