Wuxi

Located 128 km (79.5 miles) northeast of Shanghai, Wuxi was established 3,500 years ago as the capital of the Wu Kingdom. Originally, the area was named Youxi, meaning "having tin," in reference to the vast tin deposits that used to be found in the area. However, when the tin deposits dried up, the name was changed to Wuxi, which means "no tin."

Despite the lack of tin nowadays, Wuxi has remained a commercial center for thousands of years. During the Qing and Ming dynasties, it served as the main agricultural center for rice production. Nowadays, Wuxi is the commercial center for textile production.

 

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Hangzhou

Described by Marco Polo* in his The Travels of Marco Polo as  paradise and the finest city in the world, Hangzhou has long rich history. From 1138-1279 it served as the capital of the Southern Song dynasty. Even after the conqueroring Mongols moved the capital to Beijing, Hangzhou remained and still is a thriving commercial center. Today, Hangzhou is known as the home of West Lake (Xi Hu), which is largely considered to be one of the scenic wonders of China. It is also well-known for it's Dragon Well tea (Longjing tea).

*Note: The accuracy of Macro Polo's The Travels of Marco Polo is often contested. It's unclear whether Marco Polo ever really visited China, or if he was just embellishing stories he had heard from his father, uncle and other traveling merchants.

 Pavilion overlooking a portion of Xi Hu

 Xi Hu

Tea fields of Longjing Tea

 Longjing Tea

More photos at Angela Photo Musings: http://angelaphotomusings.blogspot.com

Shanghai

Since I think Shanghai doesn't need an introduction, I'll skip straight to the photos. Hope you like them!

Mom & Dad at The Bund

Fierce dragon at Jade Buddha Temple

 

Yu Gardens & Bazaar

Yu Garden & Bazaar with skyscraper in background

Manhole cover on Nanjing Road

View from our hotel room of Yangpu Bridge

More pictures at Angela Photo Musings

Suzhou!

Suzhou is located in the middle of the Yangtze Delta, and roughly 75 kilometers (46 miles) northwest of Shanghai. It's history dates back to the 6th century when the first canals were built to regulate the water level. The main canal, aptly named the Grand Canal, links Beijing and Hangzhou and brought both cultural and economic prosperity to the city itself. Nowadays, it's renowned for it's silk, and beautiful gardens. In 1997, the United Nations designated Suzhou's gardens as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.

Now for the pictures:

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