苏州

First sight

As I stepped into Suzhou for the first time, I didn't quite know what to expect. Even though I watched hours of videos and read endless articles… Still the city surprised me! I still wonder how a city with such historical roots can look and feel so modern.

The first thing that truly caught my attention was (of course) the food. Chinese cuisine is so  diverse, so the province has its own unique flavors. The first meal I had was at a small local  restaurant. After some help from the translation app, I had to try the local noodles –the  iconic dish did not disappoint!

Now, having been here a few weeks, what stands out to me is that in Suzhou you don't have  to choose…you can have the best of both worlds.  You can easily find century-old temples and gardens nestled between sleek skyscrapers  and moder shopping malls.

Modern day Suzhou is simple breathtaking. In the city you can truly see China's  technological innovation as the skyline looks almost futuristic with the sleek glass  skyscrapers raising high. At night the city comes alive, as the skyline lights up with lights  and neon signs.

Public transport makes daily life and experiencing everything Suzhou have to offer so  convenient.

There is such a rich history in Suzhou; one of the ffrst things I went to see is the ancient  water town – Zhouzhuang. The picturesque bridges and traditional boats were like a  nostalgic window into the past. It was definitely a unique experience I won't soon forget.

On the other hand, there are so many green spaces, parks and lakes where you can find a  quite spot to relax outdoors and have some peaceful time to admire the city's natural  beauty. Or use it as the locals do for cycling, group dancing or even outdoor barber shops.

On the other hand, there are so many green spaces, parks and lakes where you can find a  quite spot to relax outdoors and have some peaceful time to admire the city's natural  beauty. Or use it as the locals do for cycling, group dancing or even outdoor barber shops.

A last thought that stuck out in my mind is how welcoming the people of Suzhou was been.  Everywhere I go, people are so friendly even though I don't speak Chinese, simple gestures  and smiles goes a long way.