In the Ming and Qing Dynasties, trade guilds sprang up in the South to the Yangtze River (Jiangnan) and could be found in both the cities and the suburbs due to the comprehensive development and integration of urban and rural societies in the politics and economy since the beginning of the Qing Dynasty. In line with the radical change during the transition of the Dynasties, this region experienced a more booming commerce than that in the Ming Dynasty and the quick rise of urban handicraft industry in the Qing Dynasty further boosted the commercial economy. In addition, as imperial autocracy reached its peak in the Qing Dynasty, the emperors reinforced their control of the region through inspection tours. Therefore, the spatial and temporal distribution and the historic background of the guilds offer a new perspective for the study of Jiangnan society.