Suzhou's old town a cherished oasis of tranquility
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It is said Emperor Qianlong of Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) enjoyed Shantang Street and ordered two similar Suzhou-style streets constructed in Beijing in the 18th century. Both were destroyed in war, but Suzhou Street was rebuilt in the Summer Palace in Beijing.
Shantang Street in Suzhou has been repaired several times throughout the years, but retains much of its original appearance.
Tourists can reach Tiger Hill directly by bus, but walking along Shantang Street is a pleasant way to get there.
Lingering Garden
While magnificent royal gardens in China's capital reflect glory, the delicate gardens of Jiangnan (region south of the Yangtze River) often tell sadder tales of retired government officials tired of all the imperial court intrigues.
One such garden, Lingering Garden (Liu Yuan), lies behind a simple black gate in a white wall - it's easy to miss. But inside is a small paradise created with great deliberation.
That's also the case with Humble Administrator's Garden (Zhuozheng Yuan). These two Suzhou gardens are among China's Four Famous Gardens, including the Summer Palace in Beijing and the Chengde Imperial Summer Villa in Hebei Province. Lingering Garden was listed on the World Heritage List in 1997.
This garden is outside Chang Gate in western Suzhou.
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