My Escapade to China (Suzhou) – Part 6

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It was Day 5 in our China Escapade series, and we were supposed to leave Shanghai that afternoon to head to Suzhou. But before that, we walked to the nearby street market for souvenirs. Saucer here looked like he just woke up! *LOL*

Saucer at Shanghai street market

While we were walking, Saucer spotted someone eating Ping Tang Hu Lu and wanted to try it. I personally tried it before during my trip to Beijing last time, and I wasn’t a big fan. Anyway, we tried to hunt for it just for Saucer. We finally found it!

Saucer with ping tang hu lu

witch and Zhao Jie with ping tang hu lu

He didn’t really enjoy it as I predicted. After the shopping, we packed up and went in search for lunch. We had lunch at another Ji Gong Bao restaurant because we loved it so much the first time!

Utensils wrapped  in plastic

Zhao Lei and Saucer like brothers

When the claypot chicken arrived, the aroma was so strong and enticing especially in the freezing cold weather! Yum! We also ordered the spiciest level this time, but the gravy at this restaurant turned out to be much spicier than the previous experience. *LOL* But no matter, we survived through it anyway.

Claypot Chicken in spicy gravy

Chicken wing

We ordered lots of side dishes to add into the gravy too, making it all the more flavourful and delicious. And don’t forget my favourite transparent noodle!

Noodle sheet and mushroom

More mushroom and vegetables

Claypot pork ribs

The restaurant facade

After the filling lunch, we continued our journey to Suzhou. The journey took us about 2 hours due to the traffic getting out of Shanghai. Our first destination at Suzhou was the famous Hanshan Temple, which is also known as Cold Mountain Temple. This is a Buddhist temple and monastery located at the town of Fengqiao, about 5 km west of the old city of Suzhou.

Saucer and witch at Hanshan temple in front of pagoda

Hanshan Temple is famed in East Asia because of the poem “A Night Mooring by Maple Bridge” (楓橋夜泊), by Tang Dynasty poet, Zhang Ji. The poem describes the melancholy scene of a dejected traveler, moored at night at Fengqiao, hearing the bells of Hanshan Temple: (Source: Wikipedia)

月落烏啼霜滿天，- While I watch the moon go down, a crow caws through the frost;
江楓漁火對愁眠。- Under the shadows of maple-trees a fisherman moves with his torch;
姑蘇城外寒山寺，- And I hear, from beyond Suzhou, from the temple on Cold Mountain,
夜半鐘聲到客船。- Ringing for me, here in my boat, the midnight bell.

Hanyu pin yin version:
Yuè luò wū tí shuāng mǎn tiān,
Jiāng fēng yú huǒ duì chóu mián.
Gūsū chéngwài Hánshán Sì,
Yèbàn zhōngshēng dào kèchuán.

Look! I found the poem!

Famous poem at Hanshan Temple

witch at Hanshan Temple

More pictures to follow!

Wanted to take candid pic but we’re looking different directions – fail!

Us in front of the pagoda entrance

We also climbed up the pagoda to see the view from the top.

Us at the top level of pagoda

View from top #1

View from top #2

View from top #3

Did you notice the bling blings on the roop top? Do you know what they are? Coins! Lots and lots of them! Many people were trying to throw coins from the top of pagoda to the roof tops opposite. We also tried it ourselves but it was no easy task! The coins kept jumping back down once they touched the roof. *LOL* We had to throw a few tries to get the coin to stay on top.

Coins on roof top

Statue of Buddha

Red ribbons all around

Near the exit of the temple we spotted a scenic view of the river, complete with a gorgeous bridge.

Picturesque view

Us with the gorgeous background

Goodbye Hanshan Temple!

It was already 5+pm when we left. We spent some time driving around town and later searched for dinner. We had no idea where to go for dinner this time, and so we drove around until we saw something interesting. Passing by a street full of lights was our cue to stop by!

Us at the Suzhou river village

Ancient building

Lots of lanterns

Another nice bridge

This place definitely reminded us of Xi Tang, although this appeared to be more commercialized. We had a great time window shopping and buying some local tidbits.

Us at beautiful Suzhou

Breathtaking night view at Suzhou

We continued our road trip again after that. This time, heading back towards Hangzhou, because our flight was from Hangzhou airport the next day! Finale coming up real soon!