The Silk Capital Embraces the World

Hangzhou, a paradise on earth, is known to the world not only for its gorgeous landscape, but also as a thriving commercial city. Its long history has enriched the city with profound cultural heritage. Silk, a time-honored product of China, has always been a primary export and cultural representation of Hangzhou.

 “The Most Beautiful and Splendid City in the World”

A statue of Marco Polo by the West Lake in Hangzhou depicts the renowned Italian traveler taking a stroll around the lakeside and appreciating the stunning scenery, a book in one hand and a quill in the other.

Marco Polo visited Hangzhou during the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368). Nearly one tenth of The Travels of Marco Polo talks about Hangzhou. Marco Polo praised the city as the most remarkable of its kind in the world for both its grandeur and beauty. He further marveled at the countless historical sites that embellished it with paradisiacal nature. The book contains Marco Polo’s descriptions of the West Lake, elegant houses and pavilions, as well as boats and carriages loaded with daily necessities ceaselessly traveling along Hangzhou’s canals and streets. Furthermore, he reckoned that the number of bridges in the city amounted to more than 12,000.

A visitor admires a silk robe worn by Emperor Qianlong (1711-1799) in a silk museum in Hangzhou.

The traveler was particularly impressed by locals’ silk garments and regarded this as a highlight of the city. He also could not help noticing that, like women, men in this area have smooth skin and a demure attractiveness. He especially praised the local women for their delicate features. Marco Polo described local women who usually wore exquisite silk clothes and fine jewelries. He dubbed Hangzhou as “the most beautiful and splendid city in the world.” Today, this compliment is carved on the pedestal of Marco Polo’s statue, witnessing the time-honored charisma of the city that is as noble and elegant as the silk it is home to.