自秦朝设县治以来，至今已有2200多年的历史。杭州是华夏文明的发祥地之一，早在8000多年前，就有人类在此繁衍生息。距今5000多年的良渚文化被史界称为“文明的曙光”。
杭州曾是五代吴越国和南宋王朝两代建都地，被13世纪意大利旅行家马可•波罗赞叹为“世界上最美丽华贵之城”。
参考译文：
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."
