Following the Grand Canal to Wuxi

Jichang garden in Xihui Park, Wuxi (typical of a rich family)
An hour and a bit's ride away from Suzhou brings me to another old city in Jiangsu province, Wuxi (literally translates into "without tin"). Founded 3,000 years ago, it was known as Youxi ("has tin") due to the tin deposits found there. But eventually the tin began to run out and the name was changed to Wuxi to ward off people from taking the tin. Now tinless, it becaome known for their pearls grown in Taihu (Lake Tai) and an important centre for the silk industry. It's also called "little Shanghai" due to its rapid development in the last century. I don't really have much to say about this city since I spent relatively little time. But just like all the other ancient cities I've visited in China, there is an old side and a new side. The new Wuxi consists of extremely new looking buildings while old Wuxi consisted of parks with the original residences and gardens of ancient rich chinese families preserved.





1. A boat train on the Grand Canal. This was rather interesting! 2. Xihui Park, also known as the "open air musuem" of the history of Wuxi for its cultural relics contained inside. 3. 4. A look inside the park. 5. Inside Jichang garden, you can see the Longguan pagoda, a landmark of Wuxi. The original one from the Ming Dynasty burnt down during the Qing dynasty and the current one is only a replica. 6. 7. 8. 9. Inside the Jichang Garden 10. The "second best spring in the world" dubbed so by a famous tea sampler in the Tang Dynasty. Apparently the quality of water in this spring is the second best in the world. I'm not sure where the best one is. 11. A really old tree, so old that it needs support. 12. Pearls from Taihu! 13. A giant ferris wheel in the city

Wuzhen; Ancient Water Town

Lying equidistant between Suzhou and Hangzhou is the water township of Wuzhen. Like Suzhou, the town consists of a canal and alleys running parallel to each other. As Suzhou is becoming more developed, Wuzhen has preserved much of its history and cultural uniqueness setting it apart from the other towns in South Eastern China. There are several water villages such as this in China, Wuzhen located in Zhejiang province was given the title of the Provincial Ancient Town of History and Culture in 1991 ranking it first of the six ancient towns south of the Yangtze River.

Taking a walk along the stone walkways or crossing any of the stone bridges across the canal, one can appreciate the historical charm of this ancient town. The peace, the quiet calm waters, the smell (it even smells old!), the whole atmosphere will make you feel like you are a millennium away. No doubt, the villagers probably still live as if it was 2000 years ago, perhaps with minor improvements (ie. owning a TV!). I watched locals washing their clothes (and even rice!) in the canal. What a sight!

Suzhou, the Venice of China

A watergate on the Grand Canal, Suzhou
Located in the province of Jiangsu, about 42% of Suzhou (蘇州) is covered in water boasting about 35 kilometres of rivers and 168 bridges. Built in 514 BC, this 2,500 year old city was once lined with narrow streets, alleys and canals, some of which are still intact today.

In ancient times, many buildings could only be reached by boats via canals just like Venice in Europe. Some of these water towns exist in Suzhou today where buildings from the Qingand Ming dynasty still stand. Suzhou is also home to a number of beautiful classic gardens. They are considered to be the best in the world for its natural scenery co-existing with the exquisite man-made architecture of ancient times. Silk production was of great importance to Suzhou and remains so today as the locals of Suzhou still rely on the silk industry for a living. - an excerpt from my article for the (Student) Standard .




1. Entering a walled city gate into a park where we will cruise around the Grand Canal in old Suzhou. 2. This city wall is apparently new (not as ancient as it looks). 3. Cruising along the Grand Canal in Suzhou. It is the longest ancient canal/artificial river in the world running from Hangzhou to Beijing. 4. A watergate in the foreground and a look at the type of boat that takes you on a cruise around the canal. 5. A look at modern architecture in Suzhou. There should be a giant swimming pool inside? Where athletes from Beijing come to practice apparently. 6. A look at the newer part of the city. Crusing along the river you will see old Suzhou on one side and New Suzhou on the other; 2 totally different atmospheres. 7. 8. There really are many bridges along the Grand Canal. 9. This bridge was originally built in 1084 AD and is Suzhou's highest one-arc stone bridge (might possibly be the oldest too!) 10. The Suzhou Museum designed by I.M Pei who also designed the Louvre in Paris (you know, that crystal pyramid?). 11. Inside the Suzhou Museum. 12. Our guide tells us that the art inside the museum isn''t really that exciting or important, we were there to check out the architecture. 13. Inside a silk factory. As mentioned before, silk is an important industry in Suzhou. 14. 15. The museum is built on the former residence of the Prince of Zhong ("Loyal Prince Lee") of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom (established during the Taiping Rebellion in China, 1850-1864). 16. The bird's nest of Suzhou at night. It is a concert theater. The lights change different to different colours.