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| Picture by Kolohe |
On our last day in China, Heather and Sophia wanted to go shopping; so Kolohe and I rode a high speed train to Suzhou for the day. John (English name) picked us up at the train station and drove us to Tongli Ancient Town.
Tongli is an "ancient town" and because of its many canals it is often called "Venice of the East." Throughout Tongli there are classical gardens, former residences of celebrities, canals, flowing waters, numerous bridges, picturesque old streets, small alleys, and tourist shops. Most of the bridges were built between the Song and Qing Dynasties, with the most famous being the San Bridge. People cross the San Bridge if they are expecting a child, planning a wedding, celebrating birthdays, or having a special occasion. It is believed that by crossing the bridge, people will receive peace, happiness, and good luck.
Most visitors tour Tongli on foot, but human-powered rickshaws are also available. Several shops near the entrance rent traditional Chinese attire for the day, and they also do traditional makeup. Other merchants also have their businesses in this area.
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
In the ancient part of Tongli the streets are very narrow, and the alleys are even narrower.
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
We found it enjoyable and relaxing to ride a gondola through the canals.
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
In one area, food venders had their shops along the canal and people could sit at tables and watch the gondolas go past.
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
We also had the opportunity to visit a number of historic halls that still contained original furnishings.
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
Jianming Ji (Goes by artistic name of "Nanye.") was born in Tongli and has a long list of memberships, accomplishments, and awards. His works have won the grand prize in national paper-cutting competitions many times. In 2001 he founded his paper-cutting studio in the Retreat and Meditation Garden. Kolohe was so impressed with his paper-cutting art that she purchased several of his works. We also saw two young artist in training.
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
After leaving Tongli Ancient Town, we went to Panmen, which is the scenic area around the original city of Suzhou.
Pan Gate was originally part of a city wall that was built in about 54 BCE and at that time it was the only way to enter or exit the city. It is famous for its complex design of both land and water entries, so it is often referred to as the "Land and Water Gate." It is the only "Land and Water Gate" in the world.
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
Panmen Ruiguang Temple was the first pagoda built in Suzhou in 247. It is nine stories tall and constructed using bricks and wooden platforms.
Throughout Panmen, there are many lakes and beautiful flower gardens. A plaque states "In pursuance of the convention concerning the protection of the world cultural and natural heritage, the World Heritage Committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recognized the outstanding universal value of the classical gardens of Suzhou for their historical, cultural and landscape artistic significance and decided to inscribe them as a cultural site on the World Heritage List in 1997. This World Heritage Site deserves protection for the benefit of all humanity."
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
Before leaving for our homes in the United States, Kolohe took a few final night pictures in Shanghai of The Bund and Pudong, including the Old Jazz Band at the Peace Hotel.
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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