Oct 7, 2009 - Day 18: Suzhou - Gardens and silk

Suzhou has the much more classical Chinese architecture that I'd been expecting elsewhere in China. ... 3 billion people that the majority would have to live in dense housing apartments, but Suzhou was more my picture, with houses only a few storeys high. ... First stop was the Lingering Garden where I really could have lingered much longer.Suzhou has the much more classical Chinese architecture that I'd been expecting elsewhere in China. ... 3 billion people that the majority would have to live in dense housing apartments, but Suzhou was more my picture, with houses only a few storeys high. ... First stop was the Lingering Garden where I really could have lingered much longer....

Apr 23, 2009 - I went to Kunshan

I went to kunshan to go to lilis orphanage, and when we walked in it was beautiful! there was a banner and other stuff i got to see the babies. ... there was this one baby it was soooo cute! it was in a green sweater.I went to kunshan to go to lilis orphanage, and when we walked in it was beautiful! there was a banner and other stuff i got to see the babies. ... there was this one baby it was soooo cute! it was in a green sweater....

Apr 22, 2009 - Suzhou

Today we drove about 1 1/2 hours to Suzhou, the silk capital of China and home to the most beautiful gardens. ... Our first stop is The Master of Nets Garden :) A typical Suzhou type garden with beautiful rock formations, pagodas and furniture. ... It is a beautiful day weather-wise and very comfortable to just walk around and smell the flowers! From there we visit the Silk Factory and learn how silk is made starting from the worms munching on mulberry bushes all the way through the spooling of the silk thread.Today we drove about 1 1/2 hours to Suzhou, the silk capital of China and home to the most beautiful gardens. ... Our first stop is The Master of Nets Garden :) A typical Suzhou type garden with beautiful rock formations, pagodas and furniture. ... It is a beautiful day weather-wise and very comfortable to just walk around and smell the flowers! From there we visit the Silk Factory and learn how silk is made starting from the worms munching on mulberry bushes all the way through the spooling of the silk thread....

Apr 21, 2009 - Kunshan

Today was our day to visit Kunshan. ... Kunshan is a city of about 650,000 people. ... As with Wuzhou, Kunshan is focused on elder care, care of the disabled and special needs children. ... The speech expresses Lili's gratitude to the Kunshan SWI for taking care of her the first year of her life and for bringing her to her family. ... She raised funds so that a child from Kunshan can enjoy the opportunity of an eductaion. ...

Oct 3, 2008 - Shanghai

After a 20 hour train trip we have arrived in Shanghai.After a 20 hour train trip we have arrived in Shanghai....

Sep 1, 2008 - Gardens in Suzhou west of Shanghai

Today was our last day to tour in China and it was a bit anti-climatic. We took the bus to Suzhou where we toured 2 gardens. ... These gardens are really landscaped estates.Today was our last day to tour in China and it was a bit anti-climatic. We took the bus to Suzhou where we toured 2 gardens. ... These gardens are really landscaped estates....

Aug 2, 2008 - Suzhou

Well, our second train ride didn't go quite as smoothly as the first.Well, our second train ride didn't go quite as smoothly as the first....

Jul 19, 2008 - Shanghai

DAY 13 We can't believe that we've been in China for two weeks already.DAY 13 We can't believe that we've been in China for two weeks already....

Jul 13, 2008 - Xi`an to Shanghai

WELL IT HAS BEEN QUITE SOME TIME SINCE WE HAD ACCESS TO COMPUTERS, AND ALL OF THE DAYS HAVE STARTED TO BLEND TOGETHER.WELL IT HAS BEEN QUITE SOME TIME SINCE WE HAD ACCESS TO COMPUTERS, AND ALL OF THE DAYS HAVE STARTED TO BLEND TOGETHER....

Jul 4, 2008 - Day 8 - Wuxi to Suzhou

The lake was very pretty, but we had no idea how big it really was until we started our trip down to Suzhou and got a better sense of its enormity. ... We arrived in Suzhou for a delicious lunch at a place alongside the Grand Canal. ... At the restaurant, we were met up with Lei-Lei who became our local guide for Suzhou. ...

Jul 3, 2008 - Day 7 - Xi'an to Wuxi

We said our goodbyes to Linda and our driver. From Shanghai, we took a bus to Wuxi with a lunch stop along the way, which was delicious, as usual. ... We arrived in Wuxi and were checked in at our hotel to freshen up before leaving again for dinner. ... We met our local guide, Rachel, who took us to a great restaurant near the aquatic center.We said our goodbyes to Linda and our driver. From Shanghai, we took a bus to Wuxi with a lunch stop along the way, which was delicious, as usual. ... We arrived in Wuxi and were checked in at our hotel to freshen up before leaving again for dinner. ... We met our local guide, Rachel, who took us to a great restaurant near the aquatic center....

Jun 11, 2008 - China - Suzhou

Despite the rain, we had a great time in Suzhou. ... The local proverb "In heaven there is paradise, on earth there is Hangzou and Suzhou" may be taking things a bit far, but we spent an enjoyable couple of days exploring gardens, museums and pungent canals. ... Fed and watered, we explored some of Suzhou's museums. ... The Silk Museum was a definite hit - it details the history of Suzhou's 4,000 year old silk industry and includes a room with live silk worms munching away on mulberry leaves and spinning cocoons - see photos and video clip. ... To us, it certainly wasn't easy on the ear, but it was fun to watch and perhaps it's an acquired taste! Suzhou market's itself as the 'Garden City' and the 'Venice of the East'. ...