Hotel area and Lingering Garden

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There were a few directions we hadn't walked from the hotel, we took one on our way to the Lingering Garden. We found there was a very nice pedestrian shopping area, with nice fountains and displays. At one end of it was a children's amusement area, which Leah will eventually post about. It supposedly wasn't very far to the garden, but we weren't exactly sure which street to turn down, so we decided to catch a pedicab. These are the bicycles with the seats in the back. Actually, the one we took was a scooter and I think they are called electric pedicabs.
The Lingering Garden, or Liu Yuan in Chinese, is a small garden, but is supposedly one of the four most famous classical gardens in China. It was built in 1593, during the Ming Dynasty as a private residence.
It was very crowded! There was a tour bus of Americans, mostly from Connecticut. We were talking to one man who said they were in China for 9 days and would cover 4 cities! That would be difficult! After walking around the garden, we found a small gazebo type building to sit and rest at the top of a hill, so we "lingered" for awhile : -) Overall, it was a beautiful garden and very enjoyable. They were supposed to have music being played around the garden, which, although we saw instruments, we never did hear any music.
For some reason, the comment section is showing up after just a couple pics, scroll past it, there are actually 2 pages of pictures.

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Photos

North Temple Pagoda
As seen from the Holiday Inn Jasmine Suzhou Executive Lounge on the 28th floor

Tourist boat
This was close to the hotel and we watched them quite often from our room, but never found a chance to go on one.

Embroidery
Since I love embroidery, I was fascinated with the stitches on these pictures!

Yamaha Dealer
Took this picture for Jim!

Jim and Leah
Riding in pedicab to Lingering Garden

This was the pedicab we rode in
I like the contrast of the modern bus behind it!

Picture at Lingering Garden
This was a jade carving which was a representation or map of the garden

Lingering Garden
There are many stone designs in the walkways

Lingering Garden
Many of these garden rocks in this area come from Lake Tai, more info here if interested: http://depts.washington.edu/chinaciv/home/tgarrock.htm

Lingering Garden
Leah and Chinese boy - I love the look on the boys face!

Lingering Garden
looks like grapevines

Lingering Garden
Jim and Leah, grapevines overhead

Lingering Garden
Walkway design

Lingering Garden
The Cloud-capped Peak is behind them, I think it was 20 ft tall and weighed 5 tons.