Suzhou to Hangzhou
We awake refreshed and ready for another day in China. Our hotel, the Grand Metro Park in Suzhou, puts on a great breakfast buffet. The dining room is stunning and the food is a great cross between western and eastern cuisine. The croissants in particular are to die for!!
After we have all gathered we get on the bus and go to the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Lingering Gardens. Built in 1593 during the Ming Dynasty, it has changed hands several times with each owner doing thier best to leave their own fingerprint upon it. Domiciles, private gardens, and ancestral temples make up this labyrinthine Shangri-la; one can quite easily lose oneself here, but is so beautiful that having to wander around aimlessly trying to find your way out doesn’t seem like such a hardship.
Upon leaving the gardens, we proceed to a silk factory where we are given a lesson in the ancient secret of silk making. The making of silk dates back to 3500 BC , with the secret of its production remaining unknown outside of China until the 6th century AD. So important was the production and trade of silk that by the Han dynasty, the road ways used to connect Chang’an to Europe were known as The Silk Road. the factory we went to actually raises the silk worms, harvests the cocoons and unravels them, spinning them into the threads used to create silk products. The process is fascinating and the items produced were absolutely beautiful.
After a full lunch, we leave for Hangzhou, with a stop at the canal village of Xitang. With its winding streets and corridors, and houses on the canals, it is truly like an oriental Venice. Although the majority of the people in the village did not speak English, they were all very friendly and had smiles for everyone who passed. The stop was well worth it and made for some very picturesque photo ops.
We arrive in Hangzhou in the early evening. After dinner we attend an acrobatic show which told the historical story of Hangzhou and it’s famous General Yue Fei. He was a great national hero from the Southern Song Dynasty who distinguished himself in battles against northern invaders. Although he had successfully defeated several Tartar invasions, the party led by the minister Qin Hui framed him of treason and requested the emperor to sentence him to death. He was hanged together with his son Yue Yun. The acrobats in this show were simply outstanding, from the adults, right down to the tiny children.
Afterward, we arrive at our hotel, the Holiday Inn, in Hangzhou where we will rest up for our next action packed day.
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