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.
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