The Institute of Ancient Chinese Literature and Culture Zhejiang University was established in 1999. The discipline of Ancient Chinese Literature was granted the authority to confer doctoral degrees in 1986. Through the efforts of esteemed predecessors such as Xia Chengtiao, Wang Huanlian, Hu Shiyin, Xu Shuofang, Wu Xionghe, and others, the institute has established a good academic tradition. Its overall level is leading among similar disciplines nationwide and enjoys high reputation both domestically and internationally.

In recent years, the Institute of Ancient Chinese Literature and Culture has continuously expanded its research in areas such as Chu Ci and literature of the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, Tang and Song literature and ci studies, Ming dynasty poetry and prose research, and research on ancient drama and fiction, making significant impact in the academic circles with fruitful results.