It is one of the seven original capitals of China, dating back 2,200 years in history. It gained significance as a trade center toward the tenth century and kept its role until today, when it is one of the main industrial and commercial hubs of the region. Marco Polo visited the city in its heyday, and regarded it as another piece of Heaven on Earth, along with Suzhou. Its culture’s unstoppable development continues to attract a large number of politicians, scientists and artists, who contribute much to the city’s acclaim as a historically important city. During the Mongolian conquests it was the capital, but even in the times that followed, it managed to retain its significance as a trade center. Though today we see only scarce remains of the once so clear splendor, the beauty of the West Lake and the magnificence of the Lingyin Temple and garden area suerly make up for it.