Back to the Future!
While having tea of coffee, you can write yourself (or someone else) a postcard in the future–up to 10 years out–and it will be mailed for you on the specific date you choose. The perfect souvenir!
Momi Cafe
Tongli
Venice of the East
Take your time. Tongli provides a beautiful window into ancient China, far away from the noise and crowds. Needless to say it’s a photographer’s heaven.
Qing Shan Tang
Moxibustion
Moxibustion is a form of heat therapy in which dried plant materials called “moxa” are burned on or very near the surface of the skin. The intention is to warm and invigorate the flow of Qi (energy) in the body and dispel certain pathogenic influences.
Suzhou Embroidery Research Institute
Artists at Work
Suzhou, or simply Su embroidery, is considered to be one of the four major regional styles of Chinese embroidery. Images of flowers, animals, landscapes, and sometimes even calligraphy are brought to life
TongDe Xing
Don’t Miss Suzhou Noodles!
One of my favorite meals on this trip took place in a totally buzzing local restaurant, TongDe Xing, famous for it’s delicious noodles. Suzhou noodle soup is a revered local specialty.
Fuxi Teahouse
Kunqu Opera & Tea
I love opera, but the idea of sitting through hours of Kunqu Opera in Chinese was a bit frightening. I was looking to catch a glimpse of it, so we went to the Fuxi teahouse, located on bustling Pingjiang Road, where lovely Ms. Lv Chengfang performs nightly.
No. 1 Silk Factory
Suzhou Silk Factory
Visiting a working silk factory (from worm to fabric), was one of my highlights in Suzhou. In essence I’d known the basics of the silk worm growing/ silk production circle, but seeing it for real was very cool.
Tiger Hill
Tiger Hill and Neighborhood
My first adventure in Suzhou was a visit to Tiger Hill and its ancient ‘Leaning Tower of China’, a seven story Yunyan Pagoda. Tiger Hill is no doubt one of the top tourist attractions of Suzhou
Suzhou Museum
I. M. Pei’s Suzhou Museum
Pressed for time, there are different ways to visit a museum, especially one by a famous architect such as I. M. Pei. You can take a look at a small portion the displayed artifacts, or you can step back, and take in the space.