Suzhou n Wu Xi tour

After reaching Suzhou, it was already 7pm and we gathered to have dinner in the restaurant as photos shown.







The local Suzhou tour guide took us round the thousands of years old street with lots of lanterns hanged along the whole street. (better name for Red Lanterns St) but here actually is an olden temper called 寒山寺。 此地一片水乡风光，并有钟楼， 鼓楼，可在此体会到古人【夜半钟声到客船』。 When we reached the hotel it was more than 11pm.

The following day after a good nite sleep we were greeted by another local tour guide called Xiao Shu. She took us to 苏州耦园 an ancient home for Lu Jin, a small minister with his favorite 3rd wife. For more info click here :
http://www.china.com.cn/chinese/zhuanti/gdyl/561425.htm


Lu Jin's study room.


A garden of bamboo shrubs, an extrapolating fact they respire more oxygen than any other plants.


This pond near to Lu Jin's study room which attracted many tourists despite the drizzling all morning and then the outbreak of rain. But no choice need snapping away for a remembrance with such ancient romantic scenic beauty with added 湮雨膜膜青青河边草。
Next the tour guide took us to the silk manufacturing centre to contribute some more RMB to the Chinese Government. I did not get any of such blankets , pillow covers or the bed spread but a piece of silk material and a necktie for hubby. Then Shi Fu drove us to Wu Xi and stayed a night there in the 4 stars hotel.

Early in the next morning we toured round Wu Xi, we went to a historical film shooting venue accompanied by a local tour guide called Lily 姑娘。 In China one cannot call a lady by 小姐 meaning those work in the bar or prostitute. So Gu Nian is the exact nick to call them.
We were entertained with an ancient life show of how Liu Bei defenced for his country and fought into power. Film shootings were all produced here.





Ooo time to go round the Tai Hu.

This boat took us round Tai Hu.


A ancient palace where Liu Bei's wife lived.


Liu Bei's bridal bed.


Liu Bei's room.


Liu Bei's royal gowns.

Later in the afternoon we were taken again to donate more RMB to the pearl (珍珠）selling centre. I was much attracted to the pearl necklaces , bangles and edible pearl powder.
I bought several packets of the pearl powder and some pearl jewels to match up my collection that my hubby bought for me from Japan and they are genuine.


An oyster before it was opened to select the pearl it got.


Several pearls intact with the oyster flesh.


The rounder and brighter the pearl, the better. The oblong and small ones are to be made into pearl powder.

Before we proceed to another destination, we were introduced to the tea pot museum. (茶壶博物院）I am not interested in these things so my RMB did not fly out from my bag. Later we started our journey to Nanjing.