Inside The Venice of China 🇨🇳 This is Suzhou

[@TwoMadExplorers]

Suzhou is proper nice! Our first impression of the city wasn't amazing, but this day exploring the city with some preparation turned it around big time!!! Have you been to Suzhou??

[@imzain9772]

其实 你们所去过的很多地方都是人文景点 需要结合数千年的历史 才能真正体会 比如现在你们游览的景点 是两千多年前吴王阖闾安葬之处

[@kenstaroz1536]

Yes absolutely and it’s an amazing place when you know where to go!

[@慕容易明]

Suzhou Tiger Hill has a history of more than two thousand years, but the scenery is not outstanding, Suzhou is most famous for the forest garden, morning stroll Hanshan Temple and the Grand Canal. There is a home sale near Hogu, and the Yuqiao Meat Noodles taste good. 😊😊

[@feilong4684]

上善若水 on the paper folding fan meaning “Being virtuous to everything, as the water carries anything”. A good choice.

[@胡车儿-h8v]

Unfortunately, you did not visit the Buddha Peak Palace on Niushou Mountain in Nanjing

[@zimuli3549]

Cities like Suzhou and Hangzhou are perfect places to slow down and enjoy the beautiful city life.

[@TwoMadExplorers]

Our favourite places, places we can just relax and enjoy

[@Pierina.24]

Just for the record, Venice Italy was founded on Friday, 25 March, AD 421. Suzhou has been around since 514 BC.

[@TwoMadExplorers]

It’s also 100 times cleaner than most European cities

[@king-fm9ym]

As a citizen of suzhou. Thank you for your reminding:)😅😊❤

[@anwang5030]

yeah, Suzhou has long history and it's a special city in Chinese history/culture/art/literature. actually it's just like New Yok for US in ancient China. Shanghai takes its place in Modern China to lead economy and living way development. I guess calling it eastern Venice is just a good point to introduce Suzhou to foreigners. it's a very famous City in China and local people would not remember to compare it with Venice 😹

[@priyanksaikia5549]

​@@TwoMadExplorersShe meant to correct the thumbnail that Suzhou is called The First Suzhou on the Planet. That this is the worldst oldest Water City on the Planet and that you cannot add Venice to its name and invalidate its Ancient Past Legacy.

[@priyanksaikia5549]

​@@anwang5030Nope. I donot agree to you calling it as Venice of China..Infact it shall always be called the First Suzhou of the Planet and the literal correct phrase shall be," Venice as The Suzhou of the West"

[@fankefang]

Su Zhou and Hang Zhou are two of the best places to live in China. An old Saying is like "Up there is heaven, down here are Su Hang", where Su means Su Zhou and Hang means Hang Zhou.

[@XianYuUwU]

The Chinese on the fan is "good as water（上善若水）", which comes from Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching. The general meaning is that people with perfect morality, like the character of water, benefit all things without competing for fame and wealth. Later,it was also used to praise people's selfless dedication and noble virtues of generosity, tolerance and humility. I think it is also a good souvenir to buy a fan with this meaning in this city full of water.

[@Cuojin]

Excellent explanation!!! Well done! 上善若水，上：up, highest, 善：goodness, perfect morality. 若：like, seem as. 水：water. 上善若水Literal interpretation：perfect morality is just like flowing water. Chinese language is so simple and concise meaning profound.

[@cloudwithwind574]

you know too much

[@王王老五-o9h]

Simply said, if you kindly for others, it would like water to influce to every one

[@视频操作工绿蛙破壁人]

你这不是坑人的解释嘛？“上善若水”上 一个 叫 善若水的人才对😊

[@XianYuUwU]

@@视频操作工绿蛙破壁人 6

[@UncleC]

01:37 The "Massive pot" you see is called "ding"(Tripod) in China. it was a symbol of "power and territory" in ancient China.

[@yuehanslam1593]

Hi Maddies, have been watching all of your uploads but have not commented for a while. What I find amazing is the chemistry between both of you with each other and the chemistry you both have with the surroundings . Awesome. Have a great rest of your stay in China !!!

[@TwoMadExplorers]

We appreciate that so much, hope you’re having a great weekend

[@SFFFrank-xy8bm]

8:09 The Chinese characters on the fan say "Shang Shan Ruo Shui(上善若水)," This is a Chinese idiom that means to express a person's high moral character, like the flow of water, which continues uninterrupted. These four words encourage you to always maintain good character like the flow of water. ❤️❤️❤️

[@hopang7890]

Me too, I am Chinese from Hong Kong but I don’t know what is the meaning, until now. Thank you for your sharing. 上善若水 🙏🙏🙏

[@cloudwithwind574]

上善若水，厚德载物！ 天行健，君子以厚德载物！地是坤，君子以自强不息！

[@CloudHan-han]

上善若水，意思是如同水一樣，澤被萬物而不爭名利。 這是極致的善，不為功名利祿，只是安靜的滋潤萬物。

[@SFFFrank-xy8bm]

@@CloudHan-han 这是更深层次的解读，不过外国友人不太容易理解，还不如解释成像水一样延绵不断，保持美好品德不中断。深层次的解读没有一点中国儒家文化思想，是很难理解的。

[@wangyage8012]

You guys are in a fantastic city, enjoy!

[@janelee3130]

4.37 the river is so clean.

[@Daliangmachine]

苏州古城，世界文化遗产，整个古城不允许有很高的建筑！苏州新区有非常壮观的高楼大厦，金鸡湖周边也很漂亮！

[@linwoodhucse628]

如果那些高楼大厦是住宅楼，要是可能的话，都是别墅那才壮观。 （因为一时想起了 前段时间 “房屋养老金” 的事，超高层住宅楼大概处在最极端的状况）

[@哈哈哈-i4y]

不是世界遗产

[@linwoodhucse628]

超高层住宅楼出问题了，连住户们的资产都算不上：空中楼阁。 （房价收入比 是否非常壮观）

[@hingfaichan291]

You both are not only travelers but also explorers. You show deeper sides of China that other western bloggers have not shown yet. I enjoy your vodeos.

[@TwoMadExplorers]

Thank you 👏🏼 most other bloggers are very lazy and only want views

[@andyho9670]

03:19 The river is ancient canal, transport southern goods to the north.

[@翁易明]

除了虎丘，另一個蘇州必去的景點是「拙政園」

[@時秊]

Besides Tiger Hill, another must visit attraction in Suzhou is the“ Humble Administrator's Garden”

[@yuchuanhu952]

Love ur vedioes

[@TwoMadExplorers]

Thank you 🙏

[@thomaschan9281]

I am a Hongkonger, been living in Suzhou for 10years. I love Suzhou. For a recommendation, you should visit Liu Yuan(lingering garden), which is for me the most decorated and beautiful Garden in Suzhou. Of course, I think you would go to the Suzhou center, the most modern representation of Suzhou. Lastly, you should try the hairy crab of Yang Cheng Lake, it is only the late autumn and early winter season we have it.

[@thomaschan9281]

One more commend, there are Osmanthus Fragrans almostly everywhere in Suzhou. They lasted probably just 10 days and this is just the right time for them to blossom. Enjoy the fragrans. I love it.

[@Djelita82]

hello luke and naomi happy weekend

[@TwoMadExplorers]

You too!

[@Djelita82]

you welcome Naomi

[@renwei-n7b]

谢谢！

[@cheriewang5755]

Welcome to Suzhou! Both of my parents graduated from Soochow University, and they truly love this city. They often encourage me to visit Suzhou as well.

[@rayhou4542]

上有天堂，下有苏杭！你们在天堂一样美丽的地方了！

[@倦]

放屁，那是因为古时候的人去江南方便，没去过四川，去了四川就知道什么叫天堂了，就没有苏州杭州什么事了。不管是美女，还是美食，美景，四川都是最好的，所谓蜀道难，难于上青天，古时候皇帝去四川更不方便，没去过四川，所以就误以为江南美，其实不然。

[@larryli3333]

Love your casual traveling style❤❤

[@georwoogle]

History: With a history going back more than 1,000 years, the simple, archaic and imposing Yunyan Temple Pagoda, also known as the Second Leaning Tower on earth, stands aloft at the top of the hill, serving as a symbol of ancient Suzhou for years.

[@king-fm9ym]

Comments: History of suzhou is about 1500 years. I am a citizen of suzhou:)❤😊

[@jiachenzhu8959]

As my hometown, Suzhou has always been rich in culture, history, architecture and food. I recommend you choose to dine in Songhelou restaurant for a local cuisine and in particular Squirrel Fish dish is a must try!

[@百家乐智能投注软件售]

There are 108 gardens in Suzhou. There are many ancient towns around where you can go boating. It is very cheap and the scenery is very good

[@tracymcgrady6953]

Welcome to Suzhou! This is my second hometown. Have a nice trip!

[@qinchao]

苏州人的素质很好！物美价廉！城市规划建设很美！超有人情味人间烟火气息！

[@PhoebeL-b1l]

说实话，我觉得苏州的城市规划并不好。杭州好一点。

[@kaponomaa3415]

苏州人的素质很好指的是苏E和苏U吗

[@ynz-pw2ky]

@@kaponomaa3415 哈哈哈，定居新手村的玩家苦苏E苏U久矣！

[@skeletons-4k]

价不廉😂

[@shaoxingzheng]

@@kaponomaa3415 你们南北打架打到油管是吧🤣

[@deanzaZZR]

Canals are to enhance business and trading. Chinese love doing business and making money, not waging war like Europeans and Americans. The Suzhou and Hangzhou area was always wealthier parts of the Chinese empire.

[@TwoMadExplorers]

They kept the waterways super clean too, which is amazing when you compare the water ways in many other countries

[@enishiyukishiro6751]

​@@TwoMadExplorersit was not like this if u roll back like 15-20years, I live by a river in my childhood and occasionally the whole river stinks. It shows how much China had improved in the past two decades. I am suprised everytime I go back to my hometown Su Zhou.

[@youbao7580]

👍👍👍👍👍Awesome video thanks 🙏

[@TwoMadExplorers]

Thanks for watching!

[@Fengsir-v2e]

Thanks for visit china. Love your vlog,thanks Luke and Naomi 🎉🎉🎉

[@Cuojin]

The chinese on the fan 上善若水，上：up, highest, 善：goodness, perfect morality. 若：like, seem as. 水：water. 上善若水Literal interpretation：perfect morality is just like flowing water. Chinese language is so simple and concise meaning profound.

[@HANNAHSUN-lucky]

感觉他俩懂好多历史和地理知识呀，他们学历很高吧

[@benshengju167]

Visited Suzhou in July. It was hot and humid. The weather should be much better now. Enjoy!

[@marinoint]

My goodness, the boat ride is so cool

[@OvenZheng]

苏州是中国很有名的园林城市，它跟杭州在古代就非常出名，是很多皇帝贵族和文人墨客最喜欢的城市。这条视频是早些时候的旅行，不知道两位现在在哪里，很好奇！

[@RealKevinChan]

One side of the fan is a Shan Shui painting - a branch of Chinese painting that focuses on natural landscapes. The other side is a four-character idiom telling people that the highest level of moral excellence is to be like water - nourishes everything (benefits everyone) without seeking to take credit.

[@刘自定]

国庆节在苏州呆了几天，家人定居在苏州，苏州是一座宜居城市，适合旅游的地方

[@andyho9670]

06:22 The fan written"上善若水", it means the greatest virtue should be like water, water nourish everything on earth but water don't strive for anything. Water gives everything and ask nothing for return.

[@KenWang-j4x]

"上善若水" (Shàng shàn ruò shuǐ) is a phrase from Laozi's Tao Te Ching, which can be translated as The highest form of goodness is like water, which benefits all things effortlessly, is humble, and adapts without resistance.

[@HingHung-h9x]

❤❤❤ from Malaysia again

[@TwoMadExplorers]

Malaysia 🇲🇾 ❤ we hope to return there in 2025, to cycle across the whole country

[@yanxiahuang7159]

苏洲过后无艇搭❤❤❤

[@saili-j2q]

🎉🎉🎉good luck too you❤❤❤

[@rudioxce]

Hi guys.... very good tour in China....I watching 🤔🤔🙂🙏👍@rudioxce

[@zong-qx6de]

苏州也许只是外国人比较少听说，实际在我国是最著名的城市之一，“上有天堂，下有苏杭”，能被国人评为人间天堂的地方怎么可能小众，怎么会被低估呢～❤秋天到了，苏杭进入了绝美的时候，空气里都是桂花香，再来玩啊

[@kalideres9680]

Long time ago i have ever been to the Slanting Pagoda as shown in your video here. you remind me of that pagoda, thank you. Actually Suzhou is well known for it's beautiful garden and of course, beautiful girl too.

[@jplin888]

Agree. Well known for beauty. 😂

[@Antinonsens]

Thanks for sharing.❤

[@TwoMadExplorers]

Thanks for watching!

[@JasmineXia]

As a Chinese, Suzhou is one of my favourite cities. Suzhou, Hangzhou, Yangzhou, Nanjing etc. these cities are called 江南水乡, which means water cities south of the Yangtze River. The scenery there is so stunning 🥰

[@coolfish7198]

Welcome to Suzhou. I like your videos very much. Regarding the economy, Suzhou's economy is actually ranked in the top five in China. Its GDP is equivalent to that of Australia. Suzhou is just a city. Of course, Suzhou is also a beautiful city that is super suitable for living.

[@荒野镖客]

现在正是中国的金秋季节，到年底12月份和1月份以及春节期间，我建议你们去中国的哈尔滨和三亚旅行，那样你们可以感受到中国气候的多样性。

[@00001111henry]

OMG is beautiful garden with lots of greens. You guys enjoy very much.❤

[@anniebrent7616]

The boat is like the gondola in Venice and much more luxurious.

[@hantonohalim-fs4hl]

Wie in Venedig 🇨🇳💞👍

[@cheryll8008]

Keep exploring. China is definitely a wonderful place to visit

[@TwoMadExplorers]

It’s a great place, especially if you come prepared for the adventure 🙌

[@yentin888]

The sighting boat of Shantang St. 七里山塘 in Suzhou has provided air conditioner, I've been visiting there this summer

[@cecexu1314]

Waiting for you in Nanchang😊😊❤

[@bbq222888]

Suzhou embroidery is very famous, and the patterns on those circular fans are Suzhou embroidery embroidered with thread

[@yangdaoy]

Suchow has the best gardens in China.

[@ivyshy98]

suzhou is actually very famous among chinese, but yes probably unheard of by foreigners. there is a famous idiom that goes the sky has heaven, the earth has hangzhou and suzhou. even though both cities are very developed now, many of the historic scenic spots and ancient city parts are untouched. you just have to visit when it's not summer 😅 so you can avoid the head and crowds.

[@Oldbrow]

Cold mountain temple(han shan temple) must go...😊

[@cheungchingtong]

Enjoy your trip guys, and about your question: 1:43 Replica of 2000+ years ago ancient royal vessel. 8:00 Looks like Zhangjiajie, which is recommended to visit. Edit: 8:00 That should be Yellow Mountain area in southern Anhui Province.🤣

[@yunliquan5285]

I also like Suzhou.Just as your video shows, the architectures blend into nature very well. I guess you will also visit few gardens which Suzhou famous for. In the opposite way, people try to integrate nature into their garden. When walking around in the garden, U can feel what is 一步一景(every step with a change of scene)←This the design concept of suzhou garden.

[@CHEN-m3h]

Wow, first audience.

[@lljia-ni7yn]

been there once with my family😊

[@HingHung-h9x]

Gorgeous ❤

[@kirbyhuang5609]

加油💪

[@周建民-m8v]

There are four words on your fan ，（上善若水），It means that the highest state of good deeds is like water, water can nourish all things, make them grow, but do not compete with all things, willing to stay in the humble place. Water, the humble, selfless, and unyielding quality, is considered to be the closest to the Dao(道）

[@eriche3326]

little-known fact: SuZhou is the largest industrial city in the world 🛠

[@anwang5030]

competing with Shanghai and Shenzhen, not always No.1

[@renwei-n7b]

for now suzhou is the number one

[@priyanksaikia5549]

Another fun fact: The Bridal Capital of the World.

[@meichan9572]

Suzhou has the most beautiful ancient gardens in China and is also a world heritage. I recommend you to take a look at the essence of these ancient Chinese gardens. They are: Humble Administrator's Garden, Lingering Garden, Lion Grove Garden, and Pavilion of Surging Waves. Pavilion of Surging Waves is the oldest garden in Suzhou and my favorite garden.❤😊

[@vickyhuang1958]

Been there the end of last year, suzhou was a very famous city back in 1000 years ago, there were many antient poems about this city

[@aaxm24]

have fun❤❤❤

[@king-fm9ym]

As a citizen of suzhou, strongly recommend you can travel to Suzhou privite gardens such as 拙政园，网师园，狮子林…

[@ksks3188]

Suzhou is one of my favorite cities 🎉 You guys have a great time 🎉

[@李凱-x3u]

We used to play symphony concert on the 1000 man rock with beautiful stage lights, welcome to Suzhou.

[@ronaldtu5970]

first 100 viewer. The video is just posted 15 min ago. 先赞后看！

[@andyho9670]

15:15 It's tradition boat but not that umbrella.

[@king-fm9ym]

I suggest you can deeply explore the history in suzhou gardens. It is fantastic place and you will see the rich people 's house who lived for more than hundreds of years ago in suzhou.

[@scottjing]

上善若水：top kindness like water

[@袁诗慧]

Hi! Thank you for letting millions of people know what China is really like, and that we are not as corrupt as the western media say. Also, I recommend you to visit Changsha, Hunan Province, which is my hometown and a great city.🥰

[@suzzywong]

Welcom to my hometown !I want to recommend you the Canglang Pavilion. Enjoy your exploring!

[@dhirajpegu44]

Enjoy...

[@davidchung4691]

There are many more water-towns in this part of China. Such as Zhou-Zhuang, Tong-Li to name a few and much more attractive riding a boat to take in the views!

[@Danielxulu]

This is really beautiful

[@king-fm9ym]

The Humble Administrator's Garden ；and The Lion Grove would be amazing place that you can visit. Recommend from a citizen of suzhou:)❤😊

[@मदरसाछाप]

You should come to Venice of the East - Udaipur Love from India🇮🇳

[@NinghuaWang]

Udaipur is amazing. I have been to both Udaipur and Suzhou 😊

[@张生-j3e]

And then poisoned? Free urination and defecation?

[@weinanzhang7567]

Suzhou is one of my favorite cities in China. Especially it’s snacks and food.

[@BenjiSun]

about the canals, it's hard to say which are manmade as there's plenty of them that are natural, but walled up by people. a lot of Jiangnan region were formerly swamps and marshes, so it's not like they need to make more waterways. a lot of it's more likely adding foundation so the land can be raised above the water table and people can build on it. also having so many waterways means less need for roads and horses/mules for transporting of goods. if you head further north to Yancheng, you can see more of the uncleared marshes and they have a sanctuary for red-crowned cranes and other birds.

[@aaa-mv2sq]

冬天的时候欢迎你们来到哈尔滨体验冰雪大世界

[@HarveyChenBlog]

The painting on the folded fan is Chinese brush ink painting, which usually themed on landscape(山水)， flower and birds. Ink painting is a prestigious Chinese traditional art form which often combined with Chinese calligraphy.

[@DiNos666]

Greetings from Suzhou, better to visit in October when 桂花 bloom everywhere😊

[@soodso]

good！

[@applebernie]

I recommend you to visit the Xi Yuan temple which locats not far from your hotel. Have a try of their vegetarian noodles.

[@heqiuyisheng911]

Suzhou gardening representing typical style of ancient garden culture of southern China.

[@trollsnotwelcome7805]

Oh like the fan that Naomi picked, very beautiful. I always have my fan in my bag if traveling to hot countries, life saver

[@lz1265]

recomend shanxi province, one of the most popular place in this year😀

[@lamchan8674]

Hope you guys have the opportunity to check out the gardens which is famous in that city.

[@ivychan8899]

nice boat trip

[@吴飞鱼-y2q]

Maybe you can go to苏州中心. It's a modern shopping mall

[@martinguo2906]

That's great

[@ChrisCatchTheHat]

In the bonsai garden on the top i had a very emotional moment. Suddenly there were only a few people left, all was quite and the air was amazing. I really hope you get the chance to eat the noodles i send you on instagram the next time you go to suzhou. Now that i follow you there i might be able to send you tips like that in time and not when you off to other stations alrdy. Safe travels:)

[@vs123]

I like ancient old

[@ymca7242]

鼎是中國式獅頭。 旅遊點的風景好靚。 扇上寫的是（上善若水） 遊河都唔錯，涼快的欣賞風景。 龍鬚糖有很久的歷史了。