China September 2015 part II: Suzhou |
The first week of our China trip had been a hectic one, so it was good that our stay in Zhouzhuang was more relaxed. There are several "water towns" in the Shanghai-Suzhou region, during our 2009 trip we had visited Tong Li. Zhouzhuang, 30 km south-east of Suzhou is the most famous and probably also the most popular one.
Public tramsport from Suzhou would be complicated, so we took two taxis. They dropped us at the entrance gate of the village, where we bought tickets. Well organised, tickets had a photo so we could go in and out unlimited times. And for me, a septuagenarian, access was free!!
Aric had booked a hotel inside the water village, only a short walk from the entrance. A very romantic hotel, we had our own private balcony, from where we had a nice view of the canal, almost directly below us. So nice that we were reluctant to go out for food, we bought cup-of-noodles in a supermarket just outside the entrance and had our lunch on our balcony..:-)
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Tired after busy days |
Station hall Shanghai |
In the bullet train |
Suzhou hotel entrance |
Checking in |
A very nice room |
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After a good rest, we walked around the village. Canals, bridges, boats, I kept taking pictures..:-) And tourists too, almost all locals. Click on a picture to get a larger view.
Popular place! |
Brilliantly lit houses |
Our dinner with small lobsters |
Almost a Christmas tree |
Shantang river by night |
Our breakfast place |
Waiting for our food |
Preparing the dumplings |
Our breakfast |
Friendly staff |
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Many local tourists. In the evening it became more quiet, as most of them are day-trippers. The boats who were busy all day, found a parking place for the night. And we found a place for dinner. Pig knuckle is a speciality of these water villages, many shops sell them for take-away, but you can also have them in a restaurant. Delicious but not good for your health.
After our meal we walked around and enjoyed the scenery. Lighting less colorful than in Suzhou, actually nicer. We passed a liquor shop and could not resist the temptation. As usual Roger would like to have his picture taken with the friendly sales girl ...:-)
Shantang river by day |
Cruising on the river |
Tang Shaofu Baigong Temple |
Suzhou museum |
Interior |
The gardess |
Ornamental design |
The museum cafe |
Nice architecture |
Monumental stairwell |
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When we woke up next morning around 7 am, we were surprised that there were already a lot of tourists. Simple explanation: the ticket office opens only later, so the early birds can enter for free..:-)! But it was still not too crowded when we walked to our breakfast place. Dumplings again.
Mansion of Li Xiucheng |
Romantic canal near rthe Garden |
Choosing and eating our lunch |
Many tourists |
Garden entrance |
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Our first destination was the Chengxu Temple. Zhouzhuang is a very old village, its history goes back to 1086 when it got its present name. The temple was built in the same period, of course later expanded and upgraded.
On our way to the temple I got the idea to take pictures of the bridges. But I gave up, there are too many, here is just a collection..:-)
The temple is a huge complex with many halls and pavilions, masterpieces of Taoist architecture. Of course there is a zigzag bridge..:-) Less common is a stone boat. THe temple is located at the edge of the village, near to the lake.
Gardens |
Pavillions |
Rocky outrcrops |
Views |
Bridges |
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After our temple visit, we walked back, of course taking more pictures. Next on our list was the Shen mansion, the largest residential building of Zhouzhuang. It was built in 1742 (Qing dynasty) by a wealthy business tycoon. The ground floor consists of connected courtyards, the living quarters are on the first floor. Apparently more than 100 rooms.
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zigzag bridge |
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Pavement detail |
Typical Suzhou: white and grey |
Smelly Taufu shop |
I had to try this. Not nice |
Our noodle dinner |
Beautiful view of the temple complex |
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Time for lunch. Looking for a suitable eatery, we passed a handicraft shop where people were working on a loom and a spinning wheel. It looked quite easy, but when Pat tried it, it was actually not...:-) Nice friendly people, we bought beautiful handwoven shirts. We were not very hungry, found a nice old-fashioned tea shop.
Breakfast with bread and coffee |
Entrance City God Temple |
Entrance hall |
Many halls follow |
Symbolic bridge |
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A visit of ZhouZhuang is not complete without a boat trip through the canals. Well organised, there is a jetty where boats and boatmen are waiting. Fixed price, like the taxi serviced at KLIA..:-). Our boat had actually a boat-lady. From a boat you have a different perspective, very relaxing. For some extra money the boatman/lady will sing a few songs.
One of the halls with deities |
Guards? |
Deities |
Many more |
Pray here with a baby-wish |
Couples can declare their love here |
Kind of love-locks |
End of our visit |
Would be easier than walking |
Lunch |
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The next morning we had a last walk in this picturesque village. Our next destination, before going to Shanghai, was a very special one, a wish of Aric to visit the Yangcheng lake, the origin of the Hairy Crabs, an (expensive) Chinese delicacy. They are only available in autumn and prized for the female crab roe. Around the lake there are many restaurant that serve the crabs. In season! Getting there by public transport is complicated, we were lucky that the owner of a smelly taufu shop (!) was willing to act as a taxi driver.
Entrance Pan Men |
Ruiguang Pagoda |
Climbing up and down! |
Reaching the top floor |
View from the pagoda |
Looking back to the pagoda |
The Drum |
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Aric had booked a hotel near the lake. We were a bit shocked when we arrived, the hotel looked desolate and the reception had problems to understand us. But the rooms were ok and it became clear soon that the crab season was just starting!
Not far from the hotel was the Chongyuan Temple, dedicated to Guan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy. Interesting history, the original contsruction goes back to 503 AD. But during the madness of the Chinese Cultural Revolution the temple was completely destroyed! Later it was entirely rebuilt and officially reopened in 2007.
It is a huge complex near to the lake,we walked around, visited a few halls. In one of them we had a vegetarian lunch. We were the only customers, during weekends it must be crowded.
And the Bell |
Notice how shiny the head is! |
Zigzag gallery |
Even a waterfall |
Zigzag bridge |
Nice scenery |
The Wu Men bridge |
View of Wu Men bridge and Grand Canal |
The Pan land gate |
The water gate |
Modern Suzhou by night |
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The temple is famous for its statue of Guan Yin on, the goddess of Mercy, inside a pagoda built on a small island. The statue is 33 m high, not easy to take a picture of the goddess. Good that there are elevators...:-) From the top floor you have a wide view of the lake.
Chang Men gate by night |
Ordering a snack |
Taking a rest with coffee and snack |
Map of the old part of Suzhou |
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