Log in
Join travelers community
Your Profile
Logout
1997
Route in China (CHINA - Suzhou)
Bec2004-09-19 16:07:31
Displayed times (last time: )
Suzhou
Suzhou is famous for its gardens and canals. Web-mate Liu Zhang picked me up at the Suzhou station. We visited the leaning tower of Tiger Hill, the West Temple and the Liu Garden before going to his apartment.
I shot this canal on the way to Tiger Hill where the two photos below were taken. Unfortunately I did not manage to get a good shot of the tower. That would have required a wide-angle lens and I did not have one. You can get a glimpse of the tower behind us but you will have to take my word for it; the leaning tower does lean but not as much as the one in Pisa!
West Garden Temple
The West Garden Temple (xiyuan si) contains over 500 "Laka", gilded wooden statues of holy men (only men) to whom the faithful used to address their demands for health, wealth and children.
It was unfortunately forbidden to take pictures inside the temple. It's a pity for some of the ancient sculptures were quite expressive and would have made good photos.
Liu Garden
Also in the north west corner of Suzhou is the Ming dynasty Liu Garden. Also known as "The Garden for Lingering In" it is an elaborate succession of small gardens each one different and more exquisite than the other. One has to linger in the Liu Garden, or in any of Suzhou's great gardens to marvel that the unique art form these gardens represent has survived the violent turmoil of this century.
The Garden for Lingering In is a veritable labyrinth of beauty. Really a nice place to get lost in!
At every turn a new vista of trees and flowers invites you to dream and linger in this garden. And it goes on and on, the garden covers more than three hectares!
Suzhou
I shared Liu Zhang's apartment that night as his wife was away for the weekend. The following day I
...
See photographs from:
China Gallery
