Suzhou is a city nearby Shanghai, famous for it's historic gardens and temples, two of which
are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Suzhou is also famous for it's canals which run through
some of the streets and liken the the city to Venice.
Arriving at Suzhou by China's new fast train system, and finding the industrial
park while looking for a cab.
Top of the street in our neighborhood which is close to many tourist
attractions.
View of the rooftops from the hotel. I would also like to suggest
that you can see the heat.
Inside Lion Grove Garden which is a world heritage site.
These three men symbolize wealth, longevity, and happiness (or prosperity).
A pond in the garden.
This is a stone boat in the garden which is actually a bit
like being in a real boat.
A bridge going across the pond.
The Rock Garden/Maze, that despite being
rather compact, is easy to get lost in.
Signs attached to the tree.
View from the top of the rock garden.
A canal street.
A Water Lily in the Garden of Cultivation.
Ducks kept by the lake.
Another view of the garden.
Woman collecting and selling lily flower bulbs, the seeds of which
can be eaten.
A view of all the lilies.
Another canal view.
A pagoda in a different park.
The park.
A canal runs through it.
Just another great sign translation.
A very pretty wood engraved board which had to be hidden
during the cultural revolution or it would have been destroyed.
Grapes hanging from the vine.
View inside the garden.
The tower.
Steps to climb up.
Looking down from the top.
A dragon made out of hedges.
An authentic Gondola from Venice, Italy, given to Suzhou
in recognition of the cities canals, and also because Suzhou is a sister
city to Venice.
Garden view inside the tower.
View from a castle in the garden. The first gate could
be broken leading the enemy into a deep area. Another gate could then
be lowered behind trapping them.
A view from the lake across the garden.
That is all for Suzhou, an interesting and historical city in mainland China.
All cities in mainland China seem to have a distinct charm in a way
that cities can in developing countries where hegemony is not so
universal or easy. Next is Hangzhou, nearby Suzhou and the last
stop in mainland China.
