Why did Ankang become an important trade centre in the 18th century?

Ankang became an important trade center in the 18th century due to its strategic location and its role as a collecting point for agricultural produce. Situated in the narrow valley of the Han River between mountain ranges, Ankang has been a trade hub since antiquity. By the early 18th century, the county town was renamed Ankang, and it became closely linked with Hankou, a major trading city. The surrounding area, which had been extensively colonized since the 17th century, produced agricultural goods that were collected in Ankang for trade. This facilitated the commercial expansion occurring in China during the Qing dynasty, which saw increased specialization in crops and raw materials sent to market.123