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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