Walking. We cross the classics - The Beauty of Chinese Culture Map

Author: Jiang Yi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-09-01
Features: Suzhou is elegant and composed, exuding a leisurely air as if strolling in a tranquil garden. Sometimes Suzhou appears overly gentle, as if a delicate posture emerges from a humid climate, resembling a charming woman in a cheongsam, half-holding a pipa, with a subtle smile in the softness of a lowered gaze. She stands gracefully, with an exquisite charm akin to a small, refined jade. Every gesture she makes embodies millennia of essence, handling burdens with ease. She carries the spirit of ages in vibrant hues, her classical expressions like an ever-fading alluring glance. Suzhou is reserved and gentle, yet it does not extinguish ambition or crush. It possesses an underlying strength, with lasting endurance, so for 2,500 years, it has not withered but flourished. Suzhou is composed, casual, minimalist, yet filled with the vicissitudes accumulated over time. Its soft beautys a noble resilience. It has a serene demeanor, not seeking quick success, as if indifferent to worldly strife, gradually transforming through its inherent advantages, leaving one in awe. The "ancient" heritage of Suzhou—ancient bridges, wells, alleys, towers, residential buildings, temples, classical gardens—cannot be enumerated in one breath. If viewed merely as objects, they are merely precious antiques. But linked to the cultural figures of Suzhou's dynasties, they become stories, legends, and charm, imbued with depth, bringing these antiques to life and radiating vibrant cultural vitality, showcasing a unique cultural aura. Every vista in Suzhou has its own unique meaning, and it demands more from its visitors or admirers—requiring at least some preparation in traditional culture, familiarity with classical poetry, knowledge of historical allusions, and an understanding of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Only then can one truly enter Suzhou. Yu Miqiu wrote in Bai Fa Suzhou: "Suzhou is a place I often visit. There are many beautiful sights in the world, but only Suzhou gives me true rest. Its gentle words, lovely faces, exquisite gardens, and deep streets offer sensory tranquility and solace. In the chaos of real life, the countless ancient sites in Suzhou will soothe your heart with history. Every ancient site has its inscriptions, mostly the transcendent sentiments of ancient scholars. Reading them, the panoramic view of history can smooth out the wrinkles in your heart. Seeing more, you realize that these scholars also came here for rest. They did not seek to build great deeds here, but after success or failure, they were willing to walk its streets. Suzhou is the tranquil backyard of Chinese culture. Truly, a wake-up call from a dream. Ancient Suzhou, known as China's ancient city, has a history of over 2,500 years since its founding in 514 BC. In the mid-6th century BC, King He Lu of Wu mobilized the entire nation to build the 'Great City of He Lu,' a city with a circumference of 47 li and eight gates on both land and water. Alongside Suzhou, over 140 other feudal city-states were built during the same period. Today, only six remain: Suzhou, Qufu, Shaoxing, Luoyang, Taiyuan, and Kaifeng. Among them, only Suzhou remains in its original location, a testament to its enduring legacy.