Zhuji City, in the Zhejiang Province of China, is one of the biggest hubs for freshwater pearls in the world. Zhuji is also the capital of the ancient Yue Kingdom and native town of Xishi, a legendary beauty in the old China.
In
2011, there were about 3,000 pearl farms in the city with more than 15,000
employees working in the pearl farming industry. The territorial waters span
more than 409,000 acres.
Unsurprisingly,
Zhuji boasts the largest pearl market and distribution center for freshwater
pearls in the world. From there, pearls are exported to more than 50 countries.
To find the charming
new design of Edison pearl jewellery Timeless Pearl recently travelled to
this exciting. We also took some pictures for your enjoyment!
Zhuji Pearls Market
95% of
freshwater pearls are cultured in China, with 90% of those gems coming from
Zhuji which are mainly sold through the Zhuji Pearls Market. On average, 750
tons of pearls and pearl jewelry are sold each year. Products include:
·
Loose pearl beads of all sizes, types, and colors
·
Pearl jewelry
·
Pearl crafts
·
Side products like pearl powders
The
first part of the market was built in 1985 by local pearl farmers and was
called Guangshan. It was a small market with only 300 square meters and 60
stalls. Over time the market has grown, and now it spans 166,000 square meters
with 2,380 showrooms in total of which 1,500 are currently in use.
Entrance to the biggest pearl market in the world in
Zhuji pearl city
Xishi: The Great Beauty of Ancient China
Xishi was one of four women given the title of the Greatest
Beauties of Ancient China. She was a washer girl at the banks of the Huan Sha
River, where she was discovered by the King’s men to be trained as a spy.
She spent three years in the palace of Yue to receive training
before she was sent to the King of Wu, Fu Chai, as an attribute. The King was
smitten with her beauty and charm, so much so that he made careless political
decisions – even killing his advisor over Xishi – that it weakened his government
to no return. When the King of Yue invaded Wu, Fu Chai was unprepared and lost
the battle.
It’s not entirely clear what happened to Xishi after this, but
according to popular belief she took her own life, since she fell in love with
Fu Chai and could not live with her part in his downfall.
But maybe she did not have to be so harsh on herself: It was said
that she was so beautiful that when she looked at the fish in the pond under
her balcony, they would be so dazzled by her beauty that they forgot to swim and
sank below surface. Surely she can’t be blamed for the King’s affection!
A beautiful temple was built in honor of Xishi:
Entrance to the Xishi Temple
A close-up of the door to the Xishi Temple
A plaque at the Xishi Temple, commemorating Xishi
Since Xishi was discovered while washing yarn by the river, the
town tradition is to yarn in the river – it is said that it will bring you good
luck. Even today, lots of women go to the official washing place to wash their
clothes with a wooden stick.
The area where yarn is washed in zhuji pearl city
The famous bridge in zhuji pearl city called the “washing
yarn bridge“
The place of washing yarn showing a woman washing her clothes for
good luck, with the “washing yarn bridge” in the background
Blog Source: https://timelesspearl.com/zhuji-pearl-city/
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