| Abstract |
The researches of city history in Sung China began with the issues about transitition from Tang to Sung”, such as the destruction of Fang-shi institution, the growth of trade taxes and the more and more business towns in Sung dynasty. Since 1980s , there were many new subjects on the social and cultural fields： the social structure of city residents, the public constructions in cities, the examination elite's activities in the city and the city life. The presently abundant researches are different from overweighting on economic field of the past. Comparing with earlier scholars' discussions about the population of cities, all kinds of industries in the cities, the town functions etc., present researches improve their qualities and broaden their range. For the distinguishing features of each city, Kai-feng and Hang-zhou, the capitals of the Northern Sung and Southern Sung dynasty, are still the most popular subjects. In addition, the coastal cities such as Guang- zhou, Ming-zhou, Chuan- zhou are increasing in overseas and domestic trades. In Su-zhou, a city close to the canal, there is an increasing productivity; and Lou-yang, contrasting to Kai-feng, there are unique cultural features. These cities have drawn attentions of many scholars in recent years. Recently the extending field of the city history shows that “city” is a uniquely forming vision in the historical research. |
