Final answer:
Hangzhou's economy experienced a significant rise due to the presence of the Grand Canal, focus on goods production like textiles and silk, and infrastructure improvements due to increased foreign trade.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hangzhou, known for its robust economy, saw varied economic activities. The development was significantly attributed to the Grand Canal that facilitated the distribution of goods, tracing its establishment back to ancient Chinese. As economy flourished, sectors including agriculture, textile, and merchants for foreign market prospered.
The peasants were instrumental in this growth, specialising in the production of goods like cotton textiles, silk, and porcelain, catering to the domestic and foreign market. Artisans and farmers benefitted from the increased trade with Europeans, which brought about prosperity.
Improvements in infrastructure further fuelled economic development as manual guides were provided for businessmen and the printing industry advanced. The society saw elevation in their living standards with the ability to afford luxury goods and indulge in leisure activities. Not only economic but Hangzhou's social pursuits equally thrived with the advent of new wealth.
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