I had heard on numerous occasions that Suzhou is one of China's top destinations for escaping the pace of city life. Situated in the south of neighbouring Jiangsu Province on the lower reaches of the Yangtze River it proved to be as gorgeous as everyone had made it out to be.

On arriving in Suzhou, I was instantly filled with a sense of calmness. There is none of the hustle and bustle of Shanghai. Streets and alleys are extended side by side with canals and bridges. Bicycles amble along the city streets and people seem happier, calmer and less in a hurry. The gentle waters make the urban scenery very prominent and you feel the tension being released from your body which each passing minute.

This feeling is accentuated when you visit some of Suzhou's famous gardens. The gardens, which date back to the Eastern Jin Dynasty (AD 317-420), originated from the desire to retire from the strife of officialdom. They came to represent the return to nature and the cultivation of a calm temperament.

In Taoist philosophy the refinement of culture underlines the theme of the garden. Suzhou's gardens are, in a nutshell, nature. They allow one to feel the charm of mountains, forests and springs without going out of the surroundings of the town. The lines, rhythms and colours provide inspiration and foster a tranquil state of being.

Having said this, however, most of the gardens were filled with tourists. The endless snapping of cameras and tour leaders with blasting megaphones without a doubt does take away from the original purpose of the gardens. It becomes increasingly difficult to hear the birds chirping, to allow the gentle ripples of the water to soothe you, to stop and take a break.

It is not only the gardens which make Suzhou a paradise on earth but also the feeling of the city. Despite the increased number of fast food shops it still has remained incredibly unspoiled. The river, which is relatively free from pollution, is narrow but is said to be close to the people's heart. It is believed that life in Shanghai is bound to Suzhou. I certainly felt bound to the river for restoring my equilibrium, for calming my senses and for providing me with an escape from the city.

Suzhou is definitely worth a visit if for nothing more than to restore your belief in seeing beauty in small things and greatness in nature's creations.

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