Suzhou, China
On Monday, June 21, I traveled with RL on one of his business trips. Our first stop (of two) was Suzhou, China. We flew into Shanghai airport (3 hours) and then we were transported to our hotel via auto (2 hour trip). The entire way from the airport to Suzhou, all we passed were manufacturing plants and industrial parks. So much is manufactured here that the seaport of Shanghai is ranked, arguably, as the busiest port in the world. They just surpassed Singapore for that honor.
I guess every city in China ia massive. Suzhou has a population of 5.8 millon people, and I can believe it. Suzhou is called the “Garden City of China”. We were very fortunate as we were able to schedule some time to explore “The Humble Administrator’s Garden.” I don’t think I have seen so many Chinese pavilions in my life! The garden was built around 1500 A.D and is one of four of the most famous gardens in China. These gardens were created by retired officials and ancient scholars, and were privately owned. At the end of the blog, there is their web site should you want to see more.
Suzhou has also long been called the "Venice of China" because of the canals that run through the city. The canals, along with the remnants of a moat that once surrounded Suzhou, are linked to the Grand Canal (Da Yunhe), which is the world's longest artificial waterway, stretching from Beijing to Hangzhou. Da Yunhe was once the main transportation route for eastern China.
I thoroughly enjoyed my two day stay there. One thing for sure, I would never drive in China. Motorcycles, scooters, bikes, cars, trucks, and people—lots of them, too—and there are no rules. You just have to close your eyes.
I guess every city in China ia massive. Suzhou has a population of 5.8 millon people, and I can believe it. Suzhou is called the “Garden City of China”. We were very fortunate as we were able to schedule some time to explore “The Humble Administrator’s Garden.” I don’t think I have seen so many Chinese pavilions in my life! The garden was built around 1500 A.D and is one of four of the most famous gardens in China. These gardens were created by retired officials and ancient scholars, and were privately owned. At the end of the blog, there is their web site should you want to see more.
Suzhou has also long been called the "Venice of China" because of the canals that run through the city. The canals, along with the remnants of a moat that once surrounded Suzhou, are linked to the Grand Canal (Da Yunhe), which is the world's longest artificial waterway, stretching from Beijing to Hangzhou. Da Yunhe was once the main transportation route for eastern China.
I thoroughly enjoyed my two day stay there. One thing for sure, I would never drive in China. Motorcycles, scooters, bikes, cars, trucks, and people—lots of them, too—and there are no rules. You just have to close your eyes.
posted by R.L. at 3:13 PM
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