Silk fair kicks off in Hangzhou

Visitors to the 2012 China International Silk Fair admire a silk scroll that depicts the traditional Chinese painting "Court Ladies Preparing Newly-Woven Silk" in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, Sept 21, 2012. "Court Ladies Preparing Newly-Woven Silk" is one of the best-known paintings by Zhang Xuan from the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907). The silk scroll here was based on the copy imitated by Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty (960-1279). [Long Wei/Asianewsphoto] 

Visitors at the 2012 China International Silk Fair admire a replica of a silk "dragon robe" from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, Sept 21, 2012. The dragon robe was the imperial robe exclusively made for Chinese emperors at that time. [Long Wei/Asianewsphoto]