 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Suzhou
Gardens & Canals |
|
|
Why the For thousands of years the city of Suzhou has been celebrated throughout China for its exquisite classical gardens and picturesque urban canals.
Suzhou Gardens
Most were built by wealthy merchants and government officials as private in-town escapes from the bustling, high pressure city life. They were usually extensions of their residences, for easy access.
A classical garden in southern China is typically a harmonious blend of distinctive plants, golden carp filled ponds, eye-catching rockeries, graceful pathways, arched bridges and poetic pavilions in a small, walled setting. The garden is designed so that your view changes every dozen or so steps down the walkway. And, each should take on different guises as the seasons change.
If you have time to visit only a few of Suzhou's scores of ancient gardens, let them be these four:
Suzhou Canals
Suzhou is very much a water city and the canals play an integral part. The city lies on the vast Yangtze River delta. Suzhou is surrounded by lakes and waterways - and is crisscrossed by an urban canal network, which is connected with China's Grand Canal and, therefore, the ocean. Some portions of the narrow canals are still lined with traditional dwellings and plied by photogenic small cargo boats (see canal photo).
You can view the Suzhou canals from bridges, but the only way to fully appreciate them is on a boat.
Suzhou is about 80 kilometers (50 miles) from Shanghai.
Pronunciation guide Suzhou: sue-zh'o
View my other gold,
My Chinese phrase guide for travelers What every visitor should know.
View my Chinese
cuisine guide
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
I hope your China travel dreams come true - and that my Suzhou Gardens & Canals travel guide helps you enjoy your vacation, tour or trip ©2008 HQP / Hillman Quality Publications
|
Creation
Garden
of the Master of Nets
