Suzhou 2010

While in Shanghai, we took a day tour to Suzhou. The train ride was only half an hour! I've not been to Suzhou before, only Hangzhou. The last time we tried to go by tour via a mini van (on our last trip to Shanghai), it was too foggy and we had to turn back.

Honestly, I was expecting something more tranquil (to get away from the Shanghai madness), especially since it's supposed to be Venice of the East (not that Venice is very tranquil), but Suzhou is also developing very fast, so lots of construction going on. But there are still some nice spots (though more touristy now). However, the people here seem more cultured. Anytime, even the boatman/guide, can start to quote idioms and poetry as they related the stories of this old city. And they ,speak more gently than what I've experienced in Shanghai. Did you know that Suzhou was actual 吴国 territory during the 春秋 period more than 2,500 years ago? The capital, in fact. Suzhou was planned and built by 伍子胥 (Wu Zixu), a great and loyal general who was eventually killed by the king 吴王. Part of the city wall still stands. Places I visited include the houses along the Suzhou River, 盘门 (Pan Gate), the silk factory, 留园 (Lingering Garden) and 虎丘 (Tiger Hill), which had a leaning pagoda (ha! just like the leaning tower of Pisa).

And of course, there's always food. We only had time to have lunch there.