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See them before they’re immersed. Quite spectacular. Though try not to get ripped off with the cruise tickets.

Gardens, gardens, and more gardens! Sculpted bushes galore, if you’re into that kind of thing. I enjoyed my visit! But seriously, where are the touted Suzhou beauties?

I would like to return to see the new subway system. Rising city with humble people.

Probably one the very few places in china where the weather is agreeable in the summer. Breezy 70’s is what we had in July. Very diverse place, people-wise. I would steer clear of the zoo because it’s really depressing.

You know you’re curious.

What a huge lake. Definitely worth the trip. Though everything closes at 7-ish, that was a bummer. They don’t called Hangzhou the city of leisure for nothing!

Whatever you do, don’t come here during Chinese tourist season! It gets super packed and it’ll be hard to get a room at a local guesthouse. I loved the fact that you can stay in a traditional guesthouse and that was a great experience. Constant access to corn on a cob was awesome too. Exploring the surrounding communities and countryside is the best, the town itself may be too commercialized for some.

Other than being a stop-off point for the Yangze River Cruise, there’s nothing much to see around here. There is this largish temple complex with lots of porous rocks, something which the Chinese are very fond of.

Can anybody say 2008 Olympics? Beijing-ers can! I can’t wait to go back for the games.

I can’t describe the feeling I had when I was at the doorstep of my family’s old house. There’s so much history in this place, you can feel it in the air.