The Humble Administrator's Garden in Suzhou, China.
Today’s shore excursion, The Garden City of Suzhou, spanned nine hours and took us to three sites for only $129 per person. Well known for its gardens (at least in China), Sozhou is about two hours from Shanghai, where Silver Spirit docked this morning and will remain overnight.
Our well-spoken guide, Alex, gave us a city tour of Shanghai on the way to the highway to Sozhou. Once there, we toured the Humble Administrator’s Garden, dating from the early 1500s; cruised along the Grand Canal in the “Venice of the East”; and visited the Silk Embroidery Research Center, where we learned about a tradition more than 4,000 years old.
I particularly enjoyed the canal cruise and observing life along the waterways. The Venetian merchant Marco Polo enjoyed his visits here. It’s easy to see why. An ancient proverb says: “To be happy on earth, one must be born in Suzhou.” I asked a girl working in the Silk Embroidery Research Institute if the proverb held any truth for her. Indeed it did, she told me. “Life is very comfortable here,” she said.
Even the Mandarin ducks are well-looked-after in the gardens of Suzhou
Through the Gate: Strolling the Humble Administrator's Garden in Suzhou, China
Dating from the 1500s, the Humble Administrator's Garden is considered to be one of the best in Suzhou, a city of more than 150 gardens.
Traffic is a bit chaotic in many parts of China, including in Suzhou. The little girl at the right, however, seems completely at ease.
Girl in The Red Dress: Making an adjustment in Suzhou, China.
Master & Commander? Cruising along the Grand Canal - in Suzhou?
Fresh Catch: Netting fish on the Grand Canal in Suzhou.
Cruising on the Grand Canal, which connects Suzhou with another garden city, Wuxi.
Squeezing Under: Navigating the narrow waterways of the Grand Canal.
Venice of the East? There is a resemblance, right?
Silk Embroidery Research Institute: Suzhou's silk inudstry dates back more than 4,000 years.
