China 2003: Suzhou - Venice of the East...

"Circumstances do not make the man, they reveal him..." - James Allen

(Canals, bridges and classical gardens)

Suzhou, an ancient cultural city built 2,500 years ago, is known as ‘the Venice of the East’. The old town is built around a network of canal streets, criss-crossed by 300 bridges. Many private gardens built by scholars, poets and cultured Mandarins since the Song Dynasty make the city known for classical gardens. The Humble Administrator’s Garden built during 1506 and 1512 in the Ming Dynasty, it covers an area of 4.8 hectares, three quarters of which are water. It is regarded as one of the four major gardens in China along with the Summer Palace in Beijing, the Mountain Summer Resort in Chengde and The Garden Linger in Suzhou.

(Historic garden with water pavilion)

The ancient Grand Canal is a wonder of the ancient Chinese civilisation, with a history of 2,400 years. At 1,700 km in length, the canal starts from Beijing and ends at Hangzhou. The Garden to Linger In is well arranged and elegant. It was built during the reign of Emperor Jia Qing of the Ming Dynasty.

(A rock pagoda)

So little do I now expect,
So little hope or fear,
I draw a circle round myself
And find my pleasure there.

Alone I read, I dream, I like
My music loud, I wait
For something that will never come,
I fault my faultless fate.

👈 2004: Rome, Italy 

2003: Shanghai, China 👉