No.1 Silk Factory
.jpg)
Founded over 80 years ago, Suzhou’s No.1 Silk Factory produces some of the finest silk in China. The factory is open to visitors and allows them to see how this luxuriant and most ancient cloth is created from the simple silk worm. Visitors can see every step of the process.
Silk worms are actually moth larvae. They eat only mulberry leaves and the silk worms gorge themselves on the mulberry leaves. When they are ready to turn in a moth, they build a cocoon from a single, very long, piece of silk thread. When a batch of cocoons are finished, the cocoons are sorted by quality. They are then dropped into boiling water, which softens the thread and kills the larvae. Three cocoons are unraveled at a time by machine. An individual thread is too thin to be used, so three cocoons are done at a time to make silk thread. The thread is then used to produce cloth or thread, which, in turn, are turned into silk clothing, embroidery, and bedding. The cocoons are also used to make silk quilts and pillows. The cocoons are opened and then stretched and layer upon layer are put together to form the stuffing for quilts and blankets.
The No.1 Silk Factory is a very interesting look into one of China’s ancient industries and cultures. It is a nice addition to all Suzhou tours.
