On The Evolution Of The Place Name Of "Xixi" In Hangzhou And The Reasons

As an important place name of Hangzhou’s history of urban development, "Xixi" has beed used widely. While there are a large number of related and derived place names, it’s very important for us to definite and explain Xixi place name. Actually, since the process of over a thousand years of Xixi place name, people’s understanding of Xixi’s meaning, is from clear to blur, then come back to gradually clear in contemporary times. Xixi’s ups and downs has significant relationship with it.In this paper, through studying the historical literature of the previous dynasties about Xixi, combining with different periods of natural, economic and social conditions, we try to explore Xixi place name’s generation, development and distribution, in order to deepen the understanding and awareness of the Xixi place names in its area. Finally, we want to provide disciplines in historical and cultural aspects for regional development, and to protect local resources better in the future.Study results suggest that there are mainly three meanings of Xixi from Tang, Song Dynasties to now. There are:(1) the meaning of the river; (2) the meaning of the settlement; (3) the meaning of the area. There are three most important factors. Firstly, "Xixi downtown of the city" was very flourishing in Southernsong Dynasty, so people used Xixi River’s name to called the city’s name. As the development of Xixi city, Xixi name was used to call the region. Secondly, since the development of Xixi northern part and holding of religious and tourism activities, people’s understanding of Xixi’s meaning was grow from "small river in the mountains" from "the big river in the plain". Thirdly, due to various factors in modern times, Xixi started to decline. Until the 1990s, with the adjustment of administrative divisions in Hangzhou City, Xixi became a part of Hangzhou and had just re-revival. This process also makes the the Xixi place name meaning’s variation in Modern Times.