揚州由於位於大運河和長江的交接處，優異的地理位置，再加上隋末以來的經濟發展，在中唐時期揚州已成為全國第一大經濟都會。由於揚州在唐代是一個重要的交通樞紐及最大的商業都會，來自日本等地的海外商船及商旅絡繹於途，而遠自絲路的客商亦多有從揚州轉赴長安者，胡商雲集於揚州，大大促進了揚州的國際地位，揚州亦為唐代四個國際港之一。

Located in the intersection of the Grand Canal and Yangtze River, Yang-Chou had become the economic center in China during the mid- Tang Dynasty. Since Yang-Chou was an important transportation pivot and largest commercial city, merchantmen from Japan and foreign traders gathered or transfer from here to Chang-An greatly promoted the international position of Yang-Chou. It was also one of the four international ports in the Tang Dynasty.