Suzhou: The Industries

Suzhou is one of China's oldest cities but also one of the most progressive. It is located north of Shanghai and has a population of 6 million.

It is particularly known for its gardens and its silk industry. Visitors can watch as workers gather the silk strands from the cocoon of the silk worm and wind them onto rolls of thread. They can also watch as workers take the coccons themselves then, stretch them, and use them as filling material for comforters.

The silk produced is used not only for garments but for fine silk embroidery. Workers craft intricate scenes using the fine silk threads.