Suzhou, located an hour train ride from Shanghai, is known for its gardens and canals.

Turning down one of the smaller side canals one would get a firsthand view of what life is like living on the canal. Cruising down the canal you will literally invaded their backyards. Laundry hanging on lines to dry, children playing and waving to you, potted plants bathing in the Sun, and women doing their laundry in the canal were common sights along the canal.

The city of Suzhou is accessible by boat from various cities along the canal including Beijing (Tongxian County), Shanghai, Zhenjiang (in Jiangsu Province) and Hangzhou. Although the boats travelling along the Grand Canal are not always comfortable this can be a nice way to leave the city and to arrive in Shanghai.