Abstract: This article places epidemics in Jiangnan during the Jiaqing and Daoguang reigns in context of evolution of modem Chinese society and thoroughly examines issues related to epidemics. The article finds that cholera epidemics repeatedly broke out and were related to contacts with the West as well as to factors peculiar to the Jiangnan region itself. These internal factors included Jiangnan’s geographical features, the economic developments that took place during the Qianlong and Jiaqing reigns, the flourishing of seaborne and riverborne traffic, and the increase in environmental degradation and pollution. After the appearance of epidemics in Jiangnan, various circles, particularly medical circles, took many effective measures to control such epidemics, thereby manifesting the vivacity and dynamism of local Jiangnan society. This history of epidemics in Jiangnan indicates that we should not conceal the rapid advance of Western civilization, nor should we overlook developments within Chinese society.