Editing Zhejiang (section)

==Culture==
{{Main|Wuyue culture}}
{{See also|Major national historical and cultural sites (Zhejiang)}}
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[[File:shaoxing-ww-s.jpg|thumb|A boat on one of [[Shaoxing]]'s waterways, near the city center. North Zhejiang, known as the "Land of Fish and Rice", is characterized by its canals and waterways.]]

===Languages===
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Zhejiang is mountainous and has therefore fostered the development of many distinct local cultures. Linguistically speaking, Zhejiang is extremely diverse. Most inhabitants of Zhejiang speak varieties of [[Wu Chinese|Wu]], but those Wu dialects are very diverse, especially in the south, where one valley may speak a dialect completely unintelligible to the next valley a few kilometers away. Other [[varieties of Chinese]] are spoken as well, mostly along the borders; [[Mandarin Chinese|Mandarin]] and [[Huizhou Chinese|Huizhou]] dialects are spoken on the border with Anhui, while [[Min Chinese|Min]] dialects are spoken on the border with Fujian. (See [[Hangzhou dialect]], [[Shaoxing dialect]], [[Ningbo dialect]], [[Wenzhou dialect]], [[Taizhou dialect]], [[Jinhua dialect]] and [[Quzhou dialect]] for more information)

Throughout history there have been a series of ''[[lingua franca]]s'' in the area to allow for better communication. The dialects spoken in Hangzhou, Shaoxing and Ningbo have taken on this role historically. Since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, [[Standard Chinese|Mandarin]], which is not mutually intelligible with any of the Wu dialects, has been promoted as the standard language of communication throughout China. As a result, most of the population now can, to some degree, speak and comprehend Mandarin and can [[Code-switching|code-switch]] when necessary. A majority of the population educated since 1978 can speak some Mandarin. Urban residents tend to be more fluent in Mandarin than rural people. Nevertheless, a Zhejiang accent is detectable in almost everyone from the area communicating in Mandarin and the home dialect remains an important part of the everyday lives and cultural identities of most Zhejiang residents.

===Music===
Zhejiang is the home of [[Yue opera]], one of the most prominent forms of [[Chinese opera]]. ''Yueju'' originated in [[Shengzhou]] and is traditionally performed by actresses only, in both male and female roles. Other important opera traditions include Yongju (of Ningbo), [[Shao opera]] (of [[Shaoxing]]), [[Ouju]] (of Wenzhou), [[Wuju]] (of [[Jinhua]]), Taizhou Luantan (of Taizhou) and Zhuji Luantan (of [[Zhuji]]).

===Cuisine===
[[File:Cangnan - Pacao - P1210261.JPG|thumb|Fish being dried dockside in Pacao Harbor, [[Cangnan County]]]]
Longjing tea (also called dragon well tea), originating in Hangzhou, is one of the most prestigious, if not ''the'' most prestigious Chinese tea. Hangzhou is also renowned for its silk umbrellas and hand fans. [[Zhejiang cuisine]] (itself subdivided into many traditions, including Hangzhou cuisine) is one of the eight great traditions of [[Chinese cuisine]].

Zhejiang cuisine (Zhe cuisine) is known for its refined preparation, fresh seasonal ingredients, and diverse regional styles. It is traditionally divided into Hangzhou, Shaoxing, and Ningbo styles. Hangzhou-style emphasizes freshness and elegance; Shaoxing favors fermented flavors from its famous rice wine culture; and Ningbo specializes in seafood.

Well-known Zhejiang dishes include:

* West Lake Vinegar Fish
* Dongpo Pork
* Longjing Shrimp
* Beggar’s Chicken
* Song Sister Fish Soup

Zhejiang cuisine is considered one of the Eight Culinary Traditions of China. Its influence is prominent in Chinese haute cuisine and continues to gain global recognition.<ref>[https://chinawink.com/my-delicious-journey-through-zhejiang-food-a-culinary-adventure-in-china/ A Comprehensive Guide to Zhejiang Cuisine]. chinawink.com. Retrieved 2025-04-12.</ref>

===Place names===
Since ancient times, north Zhejiang and neighboring south Jiangsu have been famed for their prosperity and opulence{{citation needed|date=December 2011}} and simply inserting north Zhejiang place names (Hangzhou, Jiaxing, etc.) into poetry gave an effect of dreaminess, a practice followed by many noted poets. In particular, the fame of Hangzhou (as well as [[Suzhou]] in neighboring Jiangsu province) has led to the popular saying: "Above there is heaven; below there is Suzhou and Hangzhou" ({{lang-zh|s=上有天堂，下有苏杭|labels=no}}), a saying that continues to be a source of pride for the people of these two still prosperous cities.