Meicun still sings as erhu production hub

Innovation

While top makers like Wan's are using traditional techniques to make upscale products, companies targeting the medium and lower-end markets are using cost-effective, environmentally friendly materials and techniques in the production.

For instance, local company Wansheng Musical Instrument uses artificial leather to take the place of python skin for erhu body.

Huang Jianhong, general manager of the company, admitted that erhu made of the new material lacks a sense of "depth and broadness" compared with traditional products.

"However, it is enough and suitable for amateurs and beginners," Huang said.

Zhang Xiaoming, Party secretary of Meicun township, said the innovative alternatives by makers like Wansheng are in line with the sustainable, environmentally friendly requirements of the industry.

He called for more efforts in searching for higher-quality materials that can be used to produce erhu for the upper-end markets.

Erhu making in Meicun, is on Jiangsu province's list of intangible cultural heritage protection, according to Wan Jiang of Wuxi new area's publicity department.

Meicun produces about 25 percent of all erhu instruments for China's medium and high-end markets, according to the local government.

The town is also the hub of Wuxi's erhu performing arts.

Since 2011, Meicun has been the permanent host of China's highestlevel erhu performing event. In 2012, the Erhu Culture Park, a facility for erhu production, performing, training and related cultural activities, was launched in the town.