Suzhou
On my trip to China early December I also visited other cities beside Shanghai. On of them was Suzhou, a city of 1,1 mio. that has been a centre for the production of silk since the 14th century. Today the bustling city is suffering from serious air pollution.
1997 the classical gardens of Suzhou have been listed in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The reason for the listing was:
"The Committee decided to inscribe this property on the basis of criteria (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v), considering that the four classical gardens of Suzhou are masterpieces of Chinese landscape garden design in which art, nature, and ideas are integrated perfectly to create ensembles of great beauty and peaceful harmony, and four gardens are integral to the entire historic urban plan." (Source:http://whc.unesco.org/pg.cfm?cid=31&id_site=813&l=en
The 28th Session of the World Heritage Committee also took place in Suzhou from 28th of June to the 7th of July 2004.
Here you can browse some pictures of Suzhou, China:
The Xuanmiao Taoist Temple temple in the middle of Suzhou.(adjoining building)
Inside of the Xuanmiao Taoist Temple.(main building)
Detailed view of the Xuanmiao Taoist Temple.(main building)
The Pagoda of the Northern Temple.
Detailed view of the Pagoda of the Northern Temple.
The Master of the Nets Garden, on of the gardens, that have been listed in the UNESCO-World Heritage List.
Room in the style of the Song Dynasty.
Pond in the centre of the garden.
