It began with the late-Yuan Emperor Shun, who favored the south and moved the empire's political center there. By the Ming dynasty, the scenic southern banks of the Yangtze River were also home to booming trade and a flowering of the arts which saw frequent performances of music and dance.
元朝末年，順帝「疏北親南」，政治重心南移；到了明朝，更是江南河畔風光好，商船雲集，人文薈萃，歌台舞榭笙歌不斷。