Suzhou

The third stop on my Dad's journey across China with me was Suzhou. This city is the Chinese city of gardens and is also considered the 'Venice of the East' for its many canals. Together, Suzhou and Hangzhou are touted by the Chinese as heaven on earth.

What I liked most about Suzhou is that the old city has a height restriction of four stories. Everywhere in China where you find people you will find 20+ story apartment buildings. Suzhou maintains the feel of a small town even though it is adjacent to Shanghai municipality and a mere 20 minute train ride into the city. The reason for the height restriction is so when you visit one of its many gardens, you experience them as they were in the dynasty in which they were created--that is to say, no high-rises blocking your sunlight.

One of Suzhou's many canals

A canal-side lane

The 'Humble Administrator's Garden' in Suzhou...humble indeed

Canal-side temple

The famous Suzhou museum designed by I.M.Pei. He considers Suzhou his hometown, so the museum was his gift to the city

My Dad kept saying how famous these rocks are in the I.M.Pei museum. I still dont get it

With all the gardens and history, I dont want to leave you with the impression that Suzhou lacks any of the amenities found in the western world