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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Water, water everywhere...

Prior to arriving in Beijing, my parents and I took a whirlwind tour of Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou and Nanjing (among other places). Aside from Shanghai and Nanjing, this part of China is particularly famous for its lakes, rivers and gardens. I haven't had a chance to really sit down yet and go through my photos from the trip, but here are some unedited, teaser photos below. Hopefully I'll get a chance later (maybe this weekend) to do some editing blogging about the trip. Until then, enjoy!

 The Bund, facing Pudong, Shanghai

The Humble Administrator's Garden, Suzhou

The Grand Canal, Suzhou

Tea gardens outside of Hangzhou

Nanjing Road, Nanjing

View from the Giant Buddha at Lingshan Temple, outside of Wuxi