Hang-Chow

hang'chow, a Chinese city. It is situated at the head of an estuary, fifty miles from the East China Sea. It is the southern terminus of the great Chinese canal. It lies about 100 miles by water southwest of Shanghai. The city is built in the form of an oblong. It is surrounded by strong walls about eight miles in length. For a Chinese city, the streets are remarkably clean. The business sections are attractive. The manufacturing interests are large. A seventh of the population is said to be employed in reeling and weaving silk. The city is noted for its silks, cotton cloth, tapestry, ivory carvings, lacquered ware, fans, and screens. The population is estimated at 700,000. A considerable part of the population lives in houseboats. Although the head of the estuary is four miles wide at this point, it is crowded with ships and junks of all descriptions. Foreigners of all nations are at liberty to trade.