An oasis of peace
By Lauren Watts
October 17, 2016
Roaring mopeds, excited shoppers and let’s not forget about fried chicken feet: the market in Suzhou is definitely an experience to remember. You might see young girls in perfectly tailored skirts and patterned stockings leisurely strolling through the streets to pick up things from the shops. The local shoppers tend to be friendly and excited to meet international visitors, so don’t be shocked if someone asks you to take a picture for their blog or if you hear someone insist that their young child says hello! The narrow alleys make for great pictures, so don’t be afraid to dodge some of the bicycle drawn carriages to snap the perfect picture either. It’s totally worth it.
You might even see a class full of the cutest elementary students in the beginning stance for karate class.
Just beyond the hustle and bustle of a very busy intersection, we find an oasis of peace and solitude in Suzhou Gardens. With miles to cover, we pushed through the crowds to later marvel at the beautifully crafted gardens that housed acres of traditional Chinese architecture and natural landscapes.
Zhuozheng Gardens/Humble Administrator’s Garden aren’t anything short of amazing. The lotus plants stand about 4ft -5ft tall and make for the perfect backdrop for a photo!
Over the river and through the woods, we were greeted by some of the most beautiful traditionally situated rooms that were accented with wonderful stained glass windows.
All in all, our day in the market and later in the Suzhou Gardens was an experience to remember. Thankfully, we had a wonderful tour guide that walked us through all of the nooks and crannies of this fun little town. The people have been friendly, the shops have been so cute, but above all, the experience has been absolutely phenomenal! Full of laughter, taste testings, and shops with beautiful silk scarves, it’s no wonder why there are such big crowds on these very narrow streets. If you’re ever faced with a decision about what to do while I’m Shanghai, this is a great option! Every stop has been a once in a lifetime experience that should definitely make it to any travel to do list!
Stay tuned for more! The Shanghai Free-Trade Zone is up next!
Lauren Watts is an Atlanta native that is currently serving as Protocol Officer at the world’s most traveled airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina and is nearing the end of her program at the University of North Georgia where she is pursuing her Master of Arts in International Affairs. Philanthropy plays a big part in her life as she has volunteered for countless charities and grass root organizations. One of her dreams and biggest charges to everyone that she meets is to live in a way that will restore our hope in humanity. Aside from work, school and spreading a little bit of love, she enjoys singing and dancing along with musicals! Her friends and family might agree, that she even lives her life as if were a fun musical.
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Confucius Institute, Georgia State University
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