Shanlian

Shanlian (simplified Chinese: 善琏) is a small town located in northern Zhejiang Province in China, located at 30°41'44N 120°18'23E [http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=30%C2%B041'44N+120%C2%B018'23E&safe=on&ie=UTF8&t=k&z=16] and part 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 (as of 2008) under construction next door to the old temple, and which 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.

External links

* [http://english.zjol.com.cn/gb/node2/node138665/node139012/node139017/node140890/node140895/node141053/userobject15ai1424215.html Huzhou Writing Brush]
* [http://youtube.com/watch?v=7KzkAHNzSPA Short video clip of Hu writing brushes being manufactured]
* [http://youtube.com/watch?v=M0dWcdiL200 Short video clip of one of the main streets in town]