Abstract: Although having far-reaching effects on the research in the history of Chinese city and market town, Skinnerian Model hasn’t found a wide application in this area yet, especially in the case study approach. The materials of Jiaxing County in modern times offer a possibility for such research. As one of the center cities of Jiaxing- Huzhou economic area, Jiaxing showed its importance in both local administration and regional economy in the 1930s. The analysis of materials shows that “hierarchy of local system” around Jiaxing is on the whole accordant with Skinner’s abstract theory, with two different points. First, “dual central places” are common. Second, the development of lower level central place is often restrained by well-developed higher level central places nearby.
Key words: Skinnerian Model; Jiaxing; market town of Jiangnan
