The difference between city and square in Song Dynasty

According to the square market system, citizens must go to the city to buy goods, and there are no shops outside the city. Fang and the city are separated by walls. Fang and the city gate are opened at the specified time and closed as soon as they arrive. At night, the city prohibits commercial activities and residents are not allowed to go out.

In the Song Dynasty, cities broke through the boundaries of city squares. In the former Chang 'an City, the boundary between the city and the square was very clear. The city is a bustling business district, and the square is an ordinary residential area.

Bianliang City, the capital of the Northern Song Dynasty, broke through the boundaries of the city square, and there were commercial activities on both sides of the street and in residential areas. "At the bridge of the lane, you can buy and sell everywhere", which shows that the business prosperity exceeds Chang 'an. There are also morning markets and night markets in the capital of the Northern Song Dynasty, showing a scene of all-round prosperity.