Suzhou
 Popular
Chinese legend states that, "In heaven
there is paradise, and on earth there are
Hangzhou and Suzhou". Suzhou (population
5.7 million), has been praised as a "paradise
on earth" since ancient times. Being
only two hours from Shanghai, Suzhou has
enjoyed great prosperity and recognition
over the years and this is an extraordinarily
delicate and elegant city in parts. However,
it is an exaggeration to refer to this pretty
place as "paradise". Like many
other cities in China, the bulldozers and
cranes have moved in. There is still a fair
amount to see and the classical and traditional
Chinese style and designs here make a nice
change from the modernity of Shanghai.
 Suzhou
is one of the oldest towns in the Yangtze
basin, founded in about 600 BC but really
making it's fame one thousand years later
when the Grand Canal was up and running.
The great location that the city affords
helped Suzhou become a prosperous trading
area and the silk industry especially boomed
here. By the 14th Century, Suzhou had become
the leading silk producer in China and this
quaint little retreat became popular with
visitors from the imperial court at Hangzhou.
Artists, scholars and painters all retreated
to this "Venice of the East" to
seek inspiration and to relax.
Suzhou was one of the few city's
in China to escape the ravages of the cultural
revolution and its famous gardens survived
almost intact. It is the gardens here, which
are the most famous attraction in the city.
The gardens embody the harmonious principles
of Chinese garden construction which dictate
that gardens should attempt to create a
microcosm of the universe in a confined
space. Amongst the most charming are the
Garden of the Master of the Nets and the
Humble Administrators Garden. The intimate
gardens here are particularly pleasant on
a misty day and Suzhou's narrow streets
and lanes can be very romantic and relaxing.
 Suzhou's
cultural sites and temples are also worth
a visit. Hanshan Temple's distinctive atmosphere
and construction are unforgettable. The
Temple of Mystery and West Garden Temple
are both excellent examples of Daoist and
Buddhist tradition respectively. Also, Tiger
Hill is a great spot to explore and spend
a lazy afternoon in a historical setting.
Suzhou's profound cultural and historical
background as an ancient capital have helped
make this one of China's premier tourism
cities.
However, the crowds of tourists
here can get unbearable and Suzhou is a
favorite with Chinese tour groups who are
bussed in and out on day trips. It's most
pleasant therefore, in the early evening
when the sun is going down and the streets
are emptying. The canals and quaint little
houses and alleys are charming at this time.
Get there fast though, as things are changing.
Hotels, skyscrapers and highways are going
up and urban renewal is eating away at this
little area of "paradise".
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