The Venice of China
Article and Photos: Naziba Basher
Everywhere you look, a piece of the beautiful Grand Canal can be seen peeping through from beside the busy streets. You peek back and look a little further, you will see the beautifully hued gardens just hiding behind the befallen darkness of the night. You will want to wait till the sun is back up to take a better look. You will want wait forever, just to remain in the city, standing still, focus unhindered, as you swallow the sheer beauty in.
Known for the Grand Canal running from one end of the city to the other, around 100 gardens, and many aesthetically charming bridges and pagodas, Suzhou city is located in the southeast part of China's Jiangsu Province. It occupies an area of 8,488 square kilometres, of which 42.5 percent is water, making it a celebrated water town in the Yangtze area. The city is also known as Land of Fish and Rice, Garden Capital, Silk Capital and an Arts and Crafts City.
Historically, Suzhou was tantamount with high culture and sophistication. Generations of artists, scholars, writers and high society in China were drawn to it by its beautiful art forms and the delicate exquisiteness of its celestial gardens. These gardens are Suzhou's main appeal-- a symphonic combination of rocks, water, trees and pavilions that reflects the Chinese admiration of balance and harmony. As the saying goes- 'Gardens to the south of the Yangtze River are the best in the world, and Suzhou gardens are the best among them!' These gardens achieve their high standing not only for their vastness in number, but also for their natural beauty and harmonious construction. Some of these gardens have also been listed in the World Heritage List.
Built in 514 BC, this ancient city has a history of 2,600 years. The characteristics of the past, unique as they were, are still retained today. The double-chessboard layout of the city, with the streets and rivers going side by side, while the water and land routes run in parallel, is remains unbroken. The mild climate makes the city an even more desirable destination, all year around. Their rich history is celebrated throughout the city as you will come across the Zheng He theme park, highlighting his famous historic voyage. The Palace of Heavenly Concubine in Liuhe Town and the Tianfei Palace of Goddess Mazou will transport you back to the past where you can interact with characters you had only once read about. The 2,600 year old Pingjiang Road can slow time down for any visitor as you see the sepia tinted historic roads, and faded grey walls of little shops offering both ancient and modern relics.
Suzhou city, playing an important role in the One Belt, One Road initiative, taken by President Xi Jinping, houses some of the most busy and powerful industries in China. It has 147 companies that are Fortune 500 listed. The Taicang Port boasts the largest timber import in all of China. The Wujiang Dingsheng Silk Co. Ltd or Saint Joy has not only provided traditional Chinese clothes designed for the political leaders and their spouses who were attending the 22nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Beijing, but also provided the silk for the wedding dresses of Kate Middleton, the duchess of Cambridge, and Princess Diana of Wales.
There are 22,000 foreigners living in Suzhou, and for four consecutive years the city has been named "Amazing China- the most attractive Chinese city for foreigners."
With the city wearing the look of paradise, Suzhou people can bring you back down to Earth, with their sheer humility and humbleness. The sweetness of their delicious cuisine resembles the sweetness of their attitudes and personalities. Touring the wonderful ancient water town, you will truly know the charm of a 'heaven on earth'.
"The Venice of China, they call it," said Adria, a journalist from Spain. "And for good reason," I thought.
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