The next day we visit Suzhou, two hours west of Shanghai by road, and its museums, gardens, and extensive network of canals. It is cold and we probably try to see too many gardens. (Several times I wish the ship had an expert on board who could speak to the differences between Japanese and Chinese gardens. They convey an entirely different experience.) The Chinese are trying to fund support for their historic treasures in a way similar to the National Trust in England and they appear to have made a good start on that effort. As Kyoto is called the Paris of Japan, Suzhou is called the Venice of China and our travel by boats that sit very low in the water gives us a different perspective on life in this old historic, provincial town. But like everywhere else, there are traffic jams in the canals, too.

Silk is a main product and we see a demonstration of cocoon culture and silk manufacturing that is a highlight of education that day. The students cannot believe that workers keep their hands all day in the extremely hot water that allows for the unraveling of the silk threads from the cocoons. It is obviously a very tough job for all of the workers and the experience makes us realize that the cost of silk is not nearly what it should be for the labor involved.