Suzhou (off off Tokyo): Nov. 6-8, 2011

I visited Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China. It locates about 100 kilometers west from Shanghai.

Suzhou is known as a “Venice of East”. The city is in a water-rich area. Yangtze River flows north of the city while Lake Tai and other smaller lakes lie around the city.


Big and small canals run through the city.


I had a walk along Shantang Street, one of the most famous old streets in the city, in the early morning (it was unfortunately rainy). A canal runs along the street.

There were open-air markets. Fishes were sold in basins or on papers. Famous Shanghai hairy crab was gathered in a net and sold. Vegetables, fruits and sweets were also sold. Children walked to their schools. It was active and noisy.

The water moves slowly in the canal. The walls of the houses along the canal were painted white. A boat was moving along the canal to pick up leaves and rubbishes.

I saw many other canals – big ones and small ones – during my walk in the city. Some canals kept old atmosphere while others were redeveloped for tourists.

Suzhou is also famous for its gardens. The classical gardens of Suzhou are registered as a world heritage.


I visited Humble Administrator’s Garden and Lion Grove Garden.


Humble Administrator’s Garden is the largest in the city. The combination of ponds, trees, rocks, and buildings was beautiful and impressive.

Lion Grove Garden was decorated with many rocks in unique shapes.

There were many Chinese tourists in both gardens.

There are new industrial zones developing outside the city. The Jiangsu Province government has been successful in inviting foreign companies and in developing industries. The city is rapidly changing.