Suzhou，苏州！
《枫桥夜泊》 Zhāng Jì (Táng) 张继（唐）
Yuè luò wū tí shuāng mǎn tiān, 月落乌啼霜满天， Jiāng fēng yúhuǒ duì chóu mián. 江枫渔火对愁眠。 Gūsū Chéng wài Hánshān Sì, 姑苏城外寒山寺， Yèbàn zhōngshēng dào kèchuán. 夜半钟声到客船。
Note: "枫桥(Fēngqiáo)", Maple Bridge, is located in Suzhou City, Jiangsu province. "姑苏(Gūsū)", is another name for Suzhou City. "寒山寺(Hánshān Sì)", the Temple of Frost Hill is located near the Maple Bridge.
The poem describes that the poet's experience of taking a boat through Suzhou City. The boat is resting at night. The clear view at night and the sound of bells make the author feel very lonely and homesick.
Translation: "Night for Maple Bridge"
The moon is setting. The crows are crying. The atmosphere is heavy with a chilly autumn frost.
The maple trees and the lights of the fishing boats are reflected in the water.
Yet I am unable to sleep because of sorrow.
I vaguely hear the bells are ringing in the Temple of Frost Hill outside of Suzhou city at midnight.
When I mentioned this poem, most Chinese people will know it means Suzhou, Suzhou!! Founded in 514 BC, Suzhou has over 2,500 years of history, with an abundant display of relics and sites of historical interest. The poem brings you an Old Suzhou picture with Bridge, Moon, Crow, River, Boat, Maple trees, Bell, Temple, Hill and outside of Suzhou city. When you come in Suzhou, I strongly recommend you arrive here as your key station since it is the most interesting place I experienced in Suzhou. The interesting points not just because the famous poem, but this area includes very funny Hanshin Temple（寒山寺）, and the Ancient Canal-JingHang Grand Canal（京杭大运河）.
Since there is no permission to take pictures in Hanshin Temple（寒山寺）, I can just introduce it by words.
Compare with Jing'an temple, Lingshan Temple, Hanshin Temple is not so big as them, but it is the most delicate and unique with fine craftsmanship. It is amazing to see 500 Lohan inside the temple, all different kind of statues of Lohan! No one Lohan is the same, but each has its expression, action and Title. You can ask for telling a fortune by counting the Lohan. Firstly, you choose on Lohan that you feel most destined with you, and count in any order by your expected Age. Keep it as you secret and you will know your very life!!
You need to burn incense and worship the gods in Four direction. I like the fragrant incense among the incense burning, and it seems it brings me to a real heaven world!! If you enter deep background of the temple, you will see big Asian carp swim in the pond besides the temple-like architecture with rounds of Buddhist music into your ears. One world, if you believe in God and Holiness, you will enjoy the Worship trip!!
The other interesting part is the Ancient Canal-JingHang Grand Canal（京杭大运河) ,Suzhou Station!!
京杭大运河 also known as Beijing-Hangzhou (Jinghang) Grand Canal. The oldest parts of the canal date back to the 5th century BC, but the various sections were first connected during the Sui dynasty (581–618 AD). The Yuan and Ming dynasties significantly rebuilt the canal and altered its route to supply their capital Beijing. It is oft-lauded as the earliest and longest artificial waterway in the world starting from Beijing in the north and ending at Hangzhou in the south for a total length of 1776 km. The Grand Canal once greatly developed the local economy and enhanced the communication between the north and the south. In the time starting from the South Song Dynasty through Qing Dynasty ( 1644 – 1911 ), boats and ships from all over the country came down the Grand Canal, bringing much business to the area around Gongchen Bridge. Various shops, snacks, restaurants were open along the river and nearby lanes and streets.
Visiting the traditional buildings along the canal or cruising on the Ancient Canal Wharf does give you an opportunity to see and touch the business, culture and the authentic life of the ordinary people in old China.
Next, we talk about Suzhou Garden!! You can imaginably compare with western gardens like Gardens of Versailles (France), Abbey of Monreale, Sicily, Italy, Shitennō-ji Honbo Garden in Osaka, Osaka prefecture, Japan, and Suzhou embraces the most Chinese gardens in China.
What are Chinese gardens like in your imagination?
Chinese gardens are integrated as a whole with particular attention paid to the combination of nature and scenery.
General attention is paid to mountains and waters, pavilions and terraces.
Mountains and waters, pavilions and terraces look more beautiful in each other’s company.
Moreover, they are constructed in far and near structure.
Therefore, there seem no apertures in the Chinese gardens at whatever angle it may be viewed.
What comes into sight is always the picturesque scenery.
In fact, Chinese gardens and Chinese paintings interacted with each other and developed together, both of which reflect the idea that Chinese place a premium on nature. I went to Two famous Garden in Suzhou, The Humble Administrator‘s Garden（拙政园） and The Lingering Garden in Suzhou（留园）. I am in the middle of the picturesque scenery. Can you see the trace of the Chinese gardens through the Two?
The Humble Administrator‘s Garden（拙政园）
The Lingering Garden in Suzhou（留园）
One elderly local people told me, when you come to Suzhou, there are two things for you entertaining: One is the Garden, the other one is Kunqu (昆曲). I met this elderly man from Suzhou seven miles (山塘): Had nearly in 1200 the history the not only to retain "the amphibious parallel riverstreet was neighboring" the pattern, but also everywhere flow paternalaunt Soviet deep culture inside story, even if were on flagstone all has the thick history.
Lastly, I would like to mention Suzhou Cuisine:
Do you wanna explore Suzhou with me in Next turn?
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