“There is heaven in the sky, and Suzhou on earth.”

- old Chinese proverb

It is the famous explorer Marco Polo who once said that Suzhou is the Eastern Venice. A city 100 kilometers south of Shanghai, Suzhou is one of the oldest towns in the Yangtze basin and the cradle of Wu culture. The city greatly benefited when the Grand Canal of China was completed, placing it along a major trade route in the empire. Known for its spider-web of canals, picturesque gardens (several of which are UNESCÒ World Heritage sites) and its relevance in the silk trade, the city is an example of millennia of urban development which result in a harmony of beauty, commerce, and culture. As the economy rapidly developed, the city committed itself to the major demolition and reconstruction of its central areas, converting narrow streets, alleys and canals to multi-lane highways and shopping malls.

Here are some of the things you can do during your visit to Suzhou.

Stroll through the gardens - Built according to the style of Chinese paintings, there are a hundred private gardens, some of which are open to the public. The Humble Administrator’s Garden is the largest private garden in the city and has a tour starting every 5-10 minutes. Blue Wave Pavilion, the Garden of the Master of the Nets and Lion Grove are other gardens worth visiting, and all exemplify the beauty of Chinese refinement.

Climb up the Yunyan Pagoda - Also called Huqiu Tower, this structure has been leaning roughly 3 degrees from the vertical due to the cracking of two of its supporting columns. Taller and older than the Leaning Tower of Pisa, this octagonal, seven-story building is built with blue bricks. There are no staircases in Yunyan Pagoda; visitors can ascend it using movable ladders.

Take a boat ride along the city canals – Touring the Grand Canal and some of the smaller canals give you a firsthand view of the backyards of Suzhou residents. All the waterways are lined with whitewashed houses with gray-tiled roofs, while bridges and narrow alleys criss-cross the passages. And don’t be surprised if it’s women who act as boat guides, who may  entertain passengers with traditional Chinese songs and poetry during the trip.

Relive history in the Silk Museum - Suzhou became a major player in the silk trade and the museum features the tools and events that made it happen. The museum is divided into the Introductory Hall, the Ancient Exhibit Hall, the Silkworm-rearing room, the Silk Weaving Workshop, the Neoteric Exhibit Hall, and the Modern Exhibit Hall. Silk is also for sale at the retail stores close by.

Check out the heritage buildings on Shantang Street – A gathering place for merchants all over the country since the Tang Dynasty, Shantang is the most characteristic of the ancient roadways of the city. Commodity shops stand side-by-side with residential houses, with steps that go down to the river bank. The street was also used during dragon boat racing, temple fairs and traditional festivals.

Dine along Court Eunuch Lane - once the home of courtly eunuchs, this street is now famous for its rows of food shops serving delightful snacks. It’s enough to inspire the proverb, “the heaven is Suzhou, eating in Court eunuch Lane.” It is customary in the city to eat different foods according to the season; nevertheless, the bean paste pancakes are perfect for breakfast, and the glutinous cakes can drive away the hunger pangs after a day of touring. And don’t miss out on the Suzhou cuisine pine tree mandarin fish!

Attend Ya Shenxian – Every year on April 14, the city celebrates the birthday of Lu Chunyang, one of the Eight Immortals in Taoist mythology. It is said he would change into a mendicant to help people, and so people come from all over in the hopes of getting help from this magical person, as well as enjoy the small stands selling snacks and handicraft products of all kinds. Folk tales and historical anecdotes are also shared in this event, which is held inside the Immortal’s temples in Xiatang Street.

The nearest airport to Suzhou is Shanghai International Airport. You can take a 2-hour bus trip from Hengfang Station or a train trip from Shanghai Station. The best time to visit is between January to June, away from the rainy season.

Posted in China, Things to do

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