Originally, the Wu language spread from the cultural hub Suzhou and grew in importance through the Ming dynasty interval when Shanghai earned its place on the map as a metropolitan hotspot. The Xiang, or Hunanese, cinese mandarino languages come from the Hunan province and are divided into New Xiang (closely influenced by Mandarin) and Outdated Xiang, bearing a closer resemblance to the Wu languages. See our Museums Tours. See High Museums round China. For travelers who have an interest within ...