Suzhou - The Grand Canal and Wuxi - Ling Shan Grand Budda

Sunday, October 15, 2017

Suzhou is located on the Yantze River. It is considered a small city by Chinese standards with a population of only 4 million. It is known as the "Venice of the East" due to the many canals running through the city. The Great Canal runs through Suzhou which helped the city to become a major trading center and resort throughout its history. Marco Polo wrote extensively about the most beautiful city he encountered during this voyages. We took a boat ride through a section of the Great Canal which is still in use today. We always take the opportunity to be on the water.

Boats on the Grand Canal

Bridge on the Grand Canal

Houses on the Grand Canal

The Lingering Garden is a classical Chinese garden and UNESCO site. Its development began in the late 16th Century. Rockeries, plants, pavilions, towers and hall are among the best in China. The gardens are spread out among numerous buildings with a covered walk connecting them. It was an amazing place of beauty. It would have been even better had the sun been shining.

Rockery and Pond

Bonzai Plant and Rocks

Our next stop was the Ling Shan Grand Buddha whish is one of the world's largest statues of Buddha standing 264 feet tall on the summit of a mountain. Besides the Grand Buddha, the park had a large fountain whose center piece was a pillar topped by a lotus flower from which a large Buddha emerged twice a day in a spectacular water show. The park was huge and incense filled the air from the many alters throughout the complex. 245 millions Chinese (18% of the population) are Buddhists.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Buddha_at_Ling_Shan