江南 (jiāng nán) literally means 'south of the river'—'jiang' refers specifically to the Yangtze River (Cháng Jiāng), and 'nan' means 'south'. It denotes the historically and culturally rich region in eastern China located south of the Yangtze, encompassing parts of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui provinces. This area is famed for its mild climate, abundant waterways, classical gardens, silk production, and poetic literary tradition.

江南 is not a formal administrative region but a deeply rooted cultural and geographical concept dating back over two millennia. It evokes images of misty lakes, willow-lined canals, delicate cuisine, and refined arts like Kunqu opera and ink painting. In modern usage, it appears frequently in literature, tourism, branding (e.g., 'Jiangnan style' architecture), and regional identity—often carrying nostalgic or aesthetic connotations rather than strict geographic precision.