day's adventure.
Drove out of Shanghai and headed for Suzhou, and like many of the locals,
enjoyed spending a Sunday meandering through a lovely garden.
Next we made a stop at Panmen Gate. About 25o0 years ago, a moat canal
surrounded Suzhou and provided for transportation. A wall was built to
defend the city and a tower was built over the canal to defend passage
through the canal. Just like the people of old, we boarded a canal boat and
took a ride up the canal and through the gate.
Stopped for another traditional Chinese lunch (cigarette smoke and all)
before heading over to the Lingering Garden, a hidden gem with traditional
Chinese gardens and a once beautiful old style home.
Our last visit today was to Tongli Ancient Town, 50 miles from Shanghai. It
is one of six famous ancient towns to the South of the Yangtze River. Tongli
is sometimes referred to as "the Oriental Venice" due to its unique water
town scenery and canals weaving their way through the town. The architecture
and cultural relics here date back to the Ming and Qing dynasties
(1368-1911). The town was filled with sightseers and people as interested in
taking photos of us as we were of them. We even saw a group of birds the
locals use to catch fish. I have been here several times and always manage
to see something new. It was wonderful to be able to enjoy it this time
without wall to wall people.
Upon arrival back to Shanghai got to see the skyscrapers all lit up creating
a Las Vegas-like atmosphere. Great way to end the day.
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