| Popular Chinese legend
states that, "In heaven there is paradise,
and on earth there are Hangzhou and Suzhou".
Suzhou 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. Among 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".
|
