The search for ancient China draws the wanderer to Suzhou. The essence of Ming dynasty China still thrives here- through gardens and museums and waterways. One of the most notable attractions is the Humble Administrator’s Garden, recognized as a Suzhou world heritage site.
- Time in Suzhou
- Inside the Humble Administrator’s garden
- Beyond the garden
- Food
Reaching Suzhou Modern China ensures the ease of commute. A 100 odd kilometers from Shanghai, Suzhou can be reached by super-fast trains or by road. The Suzhou river joins the mighty Huangpu river in Shanghai – it continues upstream as Wusong Jiang- a glimpse into waterways that connect China. The stations are organized spaces- people wait in clearly designated waiting halls, and move to the platform when its time. The Indian traveler finds the platforms clean and the discipline discomforting. All the banal excuses of the load of population being the sole reason for the indisciplined Indian public life seem just that – excuses.
Waiting halls at Shanghai station
At Suzhou station – tourist kiosks offer guided tours of everything worthwhile – all wrapped up in a day. It felt overwhelming to the slow mind. One needs to spend at least a couple of nights in Suzhou. That time is to enjoy the waterways and all the history without being rushed.
Such clean platforms are an eyesore to people accustomed to jostling & jousting crowds
All credit to public service workers
The crown jewel of the city is the Humble Administrator’s Garden. The emerald green waterways offer boat rides to all gardens and museums. The Humble Administrator’s Garden is easily accessible from the train station. An app based taxi or a regular taxi or a metro or bus.
The Garden is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Beyond that, the space speaks about the relationship between mind and nature and its expression through architecture. Audio guides are available at the counter. The Staff are super co-operative to foreigners- always providing service with a smile. The listener using audio guides need to follow the route of the guide to understand the space.
The plaque
The space is essentially an interplay of seasons, nature , elements and the human mind. A mirror placed strategically reflects the lotus pond inside a room, a window designed so that wind blowing through the bamboo rustles in with the philosophy of the poet. A walkway by the lotus pond where the spring bloom means an interplay of faith and peace. The sculptures and wind carved stones visible through lattice work of walls. And of course, modern day cos players at work.
The buildings and the patterns are an artist’s delight.
The description of each structure is unique to the foreigner. Translated in English – the prose provides a glimpse into the mind of the ancient residents. Their thoughts influenced the space and how in turn nature influenced their being.
The mobile and the man is everywhere to be seen. So are reel hunters!
A good number of hours roll by before the visitor becomes aware of heavy feet barely dragging on.
Like all good visitor friendly spaces, a cafe exists – with ice cream cones sprinkled upon by dried jasmine flowers.
flowers and petals to nibble upon
Restaurants line the streets outside the garden. Beyond the garden, the town of Suzhou- with small shops and lottery kiosks and hawkers with ice cream giving a sense of small town China.
Burstabdomen strongly recommends that one allows more time – at least a couple of days in Suzhou and its surroundings. There’s more to modern China that will meet the eye.
Emerald waterways of Suzhou
The Mings live on in modern day China
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