Hefei History

Hefei city located at the top of Wu state and the bottom of the Chu state played a very important role in the economy and military affairs. At the beginning of West Han dynasty, Hefei was a well known commercial center; an important grain and oil distribution center during Northern Song dynasty; a place for silk and knitting handicrafts and, printing industry etc. Hefei city maintained its reputation as a distribution center and by the end of 19th century it became one of the largest trading ports.

Excavations prove that people lived in Hefei even during Neolithic period. Stone axe, stone arrowhead, stone shaver, spinning wheel and spicule etc excavated from Hefei throws light on the life of ancestors and their occupation as farmers, craftsmen, fishermen and hunters.

Hefei was coveted by militaries throughout during early time and many wars were fought to possess the land. During Three Kingdoms, Caowei and Sunwu fought for 30 years to capture the place and 100,000 soldiers were joined in the war.