Imperial China Day 5

OAT Day 1-05 - Thursday, April 10, 2008 - Optional Suzhou Tour - Shanghai, China

We had to be out early this morning as we were all going on the optional trip to the city of Suzhou. We had breakfast and a great conversation with Marvin and Don, professors from Ohio University.

At 7:50 we joined our group of 9 with our guide Matt. We walked to the subway station and were overwhelmed by the number of people who were coming off the train to work in our area of the city center.

We rode the subway for three stops to the Shanghai Railway Station and joined the throng of people moving about this morning. Our train left from station D410 and took us along with thousands of Chinese travelers, commuters, but very few tourists to Suzhou, our destination for the day.

An electronic display at the front of the car gave the speed of the train at 203 KM/H (126 mph). The maximum is 280. It also gave the outside temperature as 64 degrees.

We had very spacious seating and the train was immaculate. The other passengers were very quiet and respectful, talking softly as we traveled along the countryside.

The landscape was similar to what we saw yesterday, ponds for fish farms which is a lucrative business in this area. Matt explained that the farmers here are very well off compared to workers in the city.

The minimum wage is $130 US/month per capita. Farmers here make about $667 US/month. In the city the average wage is $600 US/month. In the poverty areas the average wage is $600 US/year!

As we neared Suzhou, we began to see high rise apartments and at 9:40 AM we pulled into the train station. We met Wendy, our city guide, who has lived her whole life in this city.

Wendy began our tour with the history of this canal city. This 2500-year-old city is known for its traditional Chinese handicrafts, in forms from woodblock prints to silk embroidery, and for its exquisite gardens. There are 6 million people within the city limits and another 6 million “floating” people who are not registered, are homeless, or just here to work.

The city is called the land of fish and rice and is one of the richest agricultural areas in this part of China. Wendy took us directly to the canal boats where we enjoyed a cruise by the city's Water Gate, which links this city of waterways to China's Grand Canal.

We spent a very historical journey seeing old home compounds along the canals. We went under more than 20 unique stone sculptured bridges on our trip. As we traveled we saw the local people cooking, doing laundry, and men in boats cleaning the waterways.

After our open boat ride we met the bus and were driven through the narrow tree lined streets crowded with buses, bicycles, and many electric motor bikes. As many people are now working further from home, less people are able to ride bicycles.

Our next stop was a local silk factory where we saw how this classically Chinese fabric is woven. Wendy explained the life cycle of the silk worms and the process of silk fabric production.

This area is very humid and perfect for raising mulberry trees whose leaves the silk worms eat. For over 4,000 years the production of silk has been cultivated. There is no longer any natural silk.

We watched the production of the silk from the cocoons and then had a little free time to look through the factory shops. We got back on the bus at 12:25 and returned to the old part of the city. We strolled to the Do Not Worry Restaurant where we had another family style meal of vegetables, meats, and rice.

After lunch we continued our walk to the Dinghui Temple, said to be built at the end of the Han Dynasty around AD 220. Wendy told us about the symbolism and customs of the Chinese Buddhists. We entered the Celestial Hall and were welcomed by the Smiling Buddha.

We went into the courtyard and on to the Supreme Hall where we saw even more exquisite large Buddha statues. One of the most revered is the Goddess of Mercy, which is the only female Buddhist statue, widely worshiped by women.

We continued our walk visiting a local market and small unique shops. The bus driver met us at 2:45 and took us to the Garden of Couples, a 200 year old private enclave, once belonging to a wealthy rice merchant and now belonging to the government.

The landscape designs are from the ancient Ching dynasty and the garden has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997. We were treated to a duet by local traditional folk singers and story tellers. Their folk music was light and happy reminding us of Bluegrass.

At 4 PM we returned to the train station and traveled back to Shanghai. At the railway station we took a taxi back to the Park Hotel.

We decided to go out and get a little something to eat and found a Happy Pizza café where we had a medium combination pizza, large salad, and two Cokes, all for $8.50. After such a great deal we went next door to the Häagen-Dazs Ice Cream Shop and had one small scoop of ice cream each for $7.00! Life just is not fair for Gennie!

We spent a little more time out on the street taking pictures and then came in at 9:00 to pack up for our departure tomorrow.

Accommodations: Park Hotel - - - Meal: B, L, D

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Antonio, Our Guide

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Gennie & Vic, Malaga 2004

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