Trips to Hangzhou (2005) & Suzhou (2006)
During the time I taught Business English at the Traditional Chinese Medicine College in Wuhu, Anhui province, I took a weekend trip to Hangzhou. Later in 2006, whilst teaching in Shanghai, I explored Suzhou for a weekend. Both these cities are famous for their water towns, Silk and tea.
Hangzhou (2005)
Hangzhou is the capital and most populous city of Zhejiang Province in east China. Hangzhou grew to prominence as the southern terminus of the Grand Canal and has been one of the most renowned and prosperous cities in China for much of the last millennium, due in part to its beautiful natural scenery (Wikipedia).
It was described by Marco Polo as "the finest and most splendid city in the world", and listed in the "Top 52 places to go in 2016" by The New York Times. Hangzhou is one of the Seven Ancient Capital Cities, with a history of about 2,500 years. Attractions include the Grand Canal and West Lake, the symbol of Hangzhou, and is considered to be one of the most beautiful sights in China. Hangzhou offers a variety of traditional cultures, such as tea, traditional Chinese medicine, and Chinese silk (Chinahighlights: online).
Xi (West) Lake
West Lake (Chinese: 西湖; pinyin: Xī Hú) is a freshwater lake in Hangzhou. It is divided into five sections by three causeways. There are numerous temples, pagodas, gardens, and artificial islands within the lake. West Lake has influenced poets and painters throughout Chinese history for its natural beauty and historic relics, and it has also been among the most important sources of inspiration for Chinese garden designers. It was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011, described as having "influenced garden design in the rest of China as well as Japan and Korea over the centuries" and reflecting "an idealized fusion between humans and nature (Wikipedia).
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| Xi lake |
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| Xi lake |
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| Xi lake |
Wuzhen water town
Wuzhen is one of the six famous ancient water towns south of the Yangtze River. It’s within the triangle formed by three top tourist cities: Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Suzhou. It has charmingly restored architecture and canals. Though some people complain about its commercial atmosphere, restored buildings, and the crowds, the charm and the elegance of this ancient water town is undeniable (Chinahighlights: online).
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| Wuzhen scenery |
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| Wuzhen scenery |
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| Wuzhen scenery |
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| Wuzhen scenery |
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| The scenery across from the restaurant I had lunch |
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| Wuzhen scenery |
Suzhou (2006)
Suzhou is dubbed "The Venice of the East"
Suzhou is a major city located in south-eastern Jiangsu Province, East China, about 100 km northwest of Shanghai. It is a major economic center and focal point of trade and commerce, and the second largest city in the province after the capital Nanjing. The city is situated on the lower reaches of the Yangtze River and the shores of Lake Tai and belongs to the Yangtze River Delta region. Founded in 514 BC, Suzhou has over 2,500 years of history, with an abundant display of relics and sites of historical interest. Around AD 100, during the Eastern Han Dynasty, it became one of the ten largest cities in the world mostly due to emigration from Northern China (Wikipedia). Suzhou is renowned for its classic gardens, traditional waterside architecture, traditional operas, and silk (Chinahighlights: online).
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| View of Suzhou from my Youth hostel room |
This rock garden was inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List in the year 2000. It is one of 9 Classical Gardens of Suzhou on the UNESCO list. It has the reputation of being the most fun garden in Suzhou because there is a complex maze people get lost in. UNESCO considered the 9 gardens in Suzhou to be masterpieces of Classical Chinese-style gardens. The total garden covers an area of about 10,000 square meters or two and a half acres. The large multi-story rock maze rises to 7 meters or about 23 feet and has numerous openings and routes. People like to watch others try to find their way out (Chinahighlights: online).
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| Lion Grove Garden (Shizilin) |
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| Lion Grove Garden (Shizilin) Suzhou |
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Suzhou Rickshaw - Suzhou is the classic Chinese water town and many points of interest
are located on narrow streets and alleyways where it is difficult for a bus or a taxi to pass through,
hence a rickshaw to get around |
Zhouzhuang
Zhouzhuang is a town famous for its canals in Jiangsu province, China. It is located within the administrative area of Kunshan, 30 km southeast of the city center of Suzhou. Zhouzhuang is a popular tourist destination. It is one of the most famous water townships in China, noted for its profound cultural background, the well preserved ancient residential houses and the elegant watery views. It has been called the "Venice of the East" (Wikipedia).
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Zhouzhuang, one of the most famous water-towns in China, is situated in Kunshan City,
30 kilometers southeast of Suzhou.
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| Relaxing in Zhouzhuang |
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| Zhouzhuang |
Suzhou canals
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| Da Yunhe (Grand canal) in Suzhou |
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| Housing along the grand canal |
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| The boat that took us along the grand canal |
Exploring Authentic Suzhou
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I explored Suzhou by foot and came across these scenes that tourists don't normally see
since it is off-the-beaten-track....the Real China as I call it |
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| The Real China .... as I call it |
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| Suzhou |
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| Suzhou street scenery |
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| Suzhou canal scenery at dusk |
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| Downtown Suzhou |
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| Rustic Suzhou |
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| Lunch with my fellow travelers |
Fengqiao scenic area
The Fengqiao (Maple Bridge) resort sits in a scenic spot, alongside a river, 3.5 kilometers to the west of downtown Suzhou, and is known for its historical relics.
These include Fengqiao Bridge in the town of Fengqiao, Jiangcun (River Village) Bridge, Tie Ling Pass, and Jiangfeng Islet, as well the Jiangfeng (River Maple) Bridge, Tieling (Iron Bell) Pass, and its canal. The Fengqiao and Jiangcun bridges cross an old canal and give an air of primitive simplicity. Standing on them, tourists can get a panoramic view of Suzhou and its landscape.
I, however, was much less interested in the historic... I gravitated to the canal with contemporary scenery of passing riverboats and barges transporting goods.
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| On Maple bridge - Fengqiao area. Could take lots of pics of passing canal boats. |
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| On Maple bridge - Fengqiao area. Could take lots of pics of passing canal boats. |
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| Suzhou canal boats viewed from Feng Qiao scenic area - Suzhou |
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| Canal sign for riverboats |
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| Suzhou canal boats viewed from Feng Qiao scenic area - Suzhou |
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| Suzhou canal boats viewed from Feng Qiao scenic area - Suzhou |
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| Canal Barge |
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| Suzhou canal boats viewed from Feng Qiao scenic area - Suzhou |
More Suzhou
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Suzhou is well-known in China for its teapots.
This picture was taken at a teapot factory. |
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| Silk manufacturing at a silk museum |
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| Tong Li (Little Venice) - Suzhou |
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| Tong Li (Little Venice) - Suzhou |
Suzhou is easily accessible from Shanghai where I worked as an English teacher. I took a bus and we covered the 105 km trip in less than 90 minutes. Hangzhou was a little bit further from Wuhu where I worked at that time. The bus trip of 280 km took more than 4 hours, but most busses in China are quite luxurious with 'in-flight' entertainment ... mostly old Chinese movies ... available in Chinese only.
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