Directory_and_Chronicle_1920 — Page 947

CHUNGKING-HANGCHOW

PHILIPPIDI, C. M., Watch-dealer, Optician

and General Importer

局政郵

POST OFFICE, CHINESE-First Class Office

Postmaster-E. Cammiade

STANDARD OIL CO., OF NEW YORK

N. G. Wood, in charge

R. S. Homet

B. J. Simpson

J. H. Morrison

W. G. Holliday

O. W. Hesselbarth

司公限有份股船輪江川

Chuen-kiang-lung-zen-kung-sze

871

SZECHUEN STEAM NAVIGATION Co., LTD:-

T. W. Yang

s.s.,,Shu Hun"-Capt. F. Brandt

s.s.,,Shu Tung'-Capt. W. Davy

行銀與誠聚

YOUNG BROTHERS BANKING CORP., Bankers -

and Financial Agents-Hsin Fêng Kai;:

Tel. Ad: Yangbrosco

C. S. Yang, director

YOUNG BROTHERS TRADING Co., Import and Export Merchants and Commis- sion Agents-Hsin Fêng Kai; Tel. Ad:- Yangbrosco

1073

Nies

HANGCHOW

州杭

5 tr Hàng-chau

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Hangchow, the capital of the province of Chekiang, is situated 120 miles south-- west of Shanghai, and 110miles south of Soochow, adjacent to the Chien-tang River, at the apex of a bay which is too shallow for the navigation of steamers. The mouth of the river is, moreover, periodically visited by a bore, or tidal wave, which further endangers navigation. Haining is the best place for observing this famous bore, which is formed by the north-east trade wind heaping up the water of the Pacific on the China coast and causing enormous tides. Hangchow Bay is shaped like a funnel, and the mass of water rushing up, more and more concentrated as it advances, is sud- denly confronted by the current of the river. The momentary check causes the water to assume a wall-like formation; then, growing to a height of 15ft. at spring tides and gathering momentum with the immense pressure behind, forcing its volume into the comparatively narrow waterway, it tears past the sea-wall with a roar like thunder at a rate sometimes reaching 12 miles an hour. Before the Taiping rebellion Hangchow shared with Soochow the reputation of being one of the finest cities in the Empire on account of its wealth and splendour, but it was almost destroyed by the rebels. It has since rapidly recovered and is once more populous and flourishing, though it has not yet regained its former pitch of prosperity. Historically, Hangchow is perhaps the most interesting city in the Republic, and the earliest reference in the annals dates back to B. C. 2198. The great Shih huang-ti visited the place in B. C. 210, and the kings of the Wu-Yueh dynasty made this their capital. It was, however, under the Sung dynasties (circa A. D. 960-1200) that Hangchow became most famous as a capital. Marco Polo spent considerable time in this city, and, to this day, his image may be seen in the famous and picturesque Ling-yin Buddhist Monastery. Hangchow is indeed a great centre of Buddhism, and its Temples include some of the most remarkable in China. The population is estimated at 600,000, although a census taken lately by the local Government gives a total a little below that figure. As a manufacturing centre Hangchow takes place even before Soochow. Its three great trades are silk weaving, including several kinds of crape and gauze, the production of fans of all kinds, the manufacture of scissors, and the making of thin tinfoil, from which are formed the imitation ingots of silver, burnt in such immense quantities by the Chinese. In addition, it sends out thread, string, colours, drugs, lacquer, and many other articles in small quantities. Coarse paper is also manu- factured. The communication by water with Shanghai is particularly good, and might be much improved with very little trouble by a small amount of dredging. at Shihmen Che on the Grand Canal twenty miles from Hangchow. Ningpo, about

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