100 Ways of Travel in Chinese Venice: Suzhou

#100waysoftravel "The City of Canals", "Chinese Venice", "The World of Gardens..." and all this is just a 25-minute train ride from Shanghai? Welcome to the most atmospheric and seductive of Chinese cities: Suzhou! Immerse yourself in the gardens and pagodas that are a must-visit, find out where to eat, and get an idea of the phenomenal architecture and legendary history of this world-class city. Sailing through the clear waters of the Suzhou canals is almost like getting on a time machine and going back to the Ming Dynasty. In fact, the original Grand Canal was built more than several centuries before the Ming Dynasty and was built during the spring and autumn period in 770 BC. The 48-mile (77 km) journey along this canal includes a look at dozens of intricate stone bridges, views of the magnificent Hanshan Temples and the Western Garden from the river side, as well as the top of hundreds of original river houses. Nine of the city's 50 gardens have been awarded the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List status. These are four that should not be missed during your stay in the city: The Garden of the Humble Administrator (拙政园, Zhuozheng Yuan); The Garden of the Lion Grove (Shizilin Yuan); The Lingering Garden (留园, Liu Yuan); Panmen Gate (盘门, Pan Meng). One of the first things that strikes most travelers in China is the incredibly rich sound structure of this place. Suzhou shares this general atmosphere, but adds its own softer layer: the splash of water on the banks of the canal, the scratching of the artist's brush on the canvas, the muffled explanation of the seller about the goods on display in his embroidery workshop, or an elusive melody. from the traditional opera house of Suzhou. Ancient canals sparkling with neon lights, more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than you can do with them, otherworldly opera traditions and the best plate of noodles you're likely to find south of the Gobi make Suzhou a must-stop on any modern journey.