Shanlian
Encyclopedia
Shanlian is a small town located in northern Zhejiang
province in China
, in the Nanxun District (南浔区)
of the Huzhou
administrative district. This town is noted as being the sole source in the world for the highly prized Huzhou writing brush
, which has been manufactured in the town for over 2,000 years.
An extensive canal system criss-crosses the town, and a good deal of agriculture is done in the outlying areas surrounding the town. In addition there are extensive groves of mulberry
bushes grown throughout the district for silk
production. The land upon which the town is built is made up of very gentle, rolling fields, and the climate is quite temperate - snow in the winter is possible but rare. Agriculture is possible nearly the whole year round.
, a large new Buddhist temple
is currently under construction next door to the old temple. It is planned to eventually include the old temple grounds. The east side of town has been experiencing significant growth for several years now, while the older, western part of town is very gradually being abandoned.
Buses run regularly to and from Huzhou
and Hangzhou
, with many stops in between. The bus ride to either city may take an hour or two depending on conditions and traffic. The bus stops for both routes are on the north-south road that marks the eastern boundary of the developed part of town, approximately across the street from the hospital. The trip to Shanghai takes three to four hours by car.
Zhejiang
Zhejiang is an eastern coastal province of the People's Republic of China. The word Zhejiang was the old name of the Qiantang River, which passes through Hangzhou, the provincial capital...
province in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, in the Nanxun District (南浔区)
Nanxun District
Nanxun District is a district in the prefecture-level city of Huzhou, Zhejiang province, China. Nanxun Town , an old town, is located in the district. It is one of the most well-preserved old towns in this region and is known for its cultural heritage. Other towns in the district include...
of the Huzhou
Huzhou
Huzhou is a prefecture-level city in northern Zhejiang province of Eastern China. Lying south of the Lake Tai, it borders Jiaxing to the east, Hangzhou to the south, and the provinces of Anhui and Jiangsu to the west and north respectively.-Administration:...
administrative district. This town is noted as being the sole source in the world for the highly prized Huzhou writing brush
Ink brush
Ink brushes are used in Chinese calligraphy. They are also used in Chinese painting and descendant brush painting styles. The ink brush was invented in China, believed to be around 300BCE...
, which has been manufactured in the town for over 2,000 years.
An extensive canal system criss-crosses the town, and a good deal of agriculture is done in the outlying areas surrounding the town. In addition there are extensive groves of mulberry
Mulberry
Morus is a genus of flowering plants in the family Moraceae. The 10–16 species of deciduous trees it contains are commonly known as Mulberries....
bushes grown throughout the district for silk
Silk
Silk is a natural protein fiber, some forms of which can be woven into textiles. The best-known type of silk is obtained from the cocoons of the larvae of the mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori reared in captivity...
production. The land upon which the town is built is made up of very gentle, rolling fields, and the climate is quite temperate - snow in the winter is possible but rare. Agriculture is possible nearly the whole year round.
, a large new Buddhist temple
Temple
A temple is a structure reserved for religious or spiritual activities, such as prayer and sacrifice, or analogous rites. A templum constituted a sacred precinct as defined by a priest, or augur. It has the same root as the word "template," a plan in preparation of the building that was marked out...
is currently under construction next door to the old temple. It is planned to eventually include the old temple grounds. The east side of town has been experiencing significant growth for several years now, while the older, western part of town is very gradually being abandoned.
Buses run regularly to and from Huzhou
Huzhou
Huzhou is a prefecture-level city in northern Zhejiang province of Eastern China. Lying south of the Lake Tai, it borders Jiaxing to the east, Hangzhou to the south, and the provinces of Anhui and Jiangsu to the west and north respectively.-Administration:...
and Hangzhou
Hangzhou
Hangzhou , formerly transliterated as Hangchow, is the capital and largest city of Zhejiang Province in Eastern China. Governed as a sub-provincial city, and as of 2010, its entire administrative division or prefecture had a registered population of 8.7 million people...
, with many stops in between. The bus ride to either city may take an hour or two depending on conditions and traffic. The bus stops for both routes are on the north-south road that marks the eastern boundary of the developed part of town, approximately across the street from the hospital. The trip to Shanghai takes three to four hours by car.