Suzhou Museum:  This free museum is dedicated to the history and relics associated with Suzhou.  We were able to reach the Museum via bus no. 1 which runs directly in front of the hotel.  While at the museum, we enjoyed seeing the various exhibits.  In particular, we enjoyed the jade exhibits and the ancient gold coins exhibits.  The Museum also featured some ivory carvings.  Part of the Museum is a lovely outdoor garden which we later learned was originally part of the Humble Administrator’s Garden (see below).

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	The lovely outdoor garden at Suzhou Museun
	A "dai" made using white jade
	A gold coin (actually one of many) from the Yuan Dynasty (1271-2368)
	Two dragons made from gold
	These ivory figurines feature (from left to right) an angler, a woodman, a farmer and a reader
	A dragon carved from ivory

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             Boyu Hi-Tech Company Tour & Subsequent Sightseeing:  We enjoyed the hospitality of the employees of BoYu, a hi-tech injection molding company located about one hour outside of Suzhou in Beiqiao Town.  Mr. Li, the Planning Department Manager, graciously came to the HI Jasmine to pick us up and take us to Boyu.  While Yuanyuan taught her English class to managers and staff members of Boyu, Mr. Li gave us a tour of the company.  It was fascinating to see how the company designs and then manufacturers a variety of very complex molded parts mostly for foreign clients.  Afterwards, we joined the English class to meet Yuanyuan’s students and interact with them in English.  After class, those managers and students who did not have to return to work took us to a delicious lunch at a nearby restaurant.  Following lunch, Mr. Li and Mr. Ma took us on a brief tour of the area nearby the BoYu facility.  We then headed back into Suzhou and went to the Suzhou Amusement Park located on Jianji Lake.  We walked around the area and watched individuals enjoy the huge Ferris wheel and upside-down Roller Coaster.  At the end of the day, Mr. Li once again was very gracious and drove us to our hotel.  Afterwards he and Mr. Ma had to attend a two-hour English class.  They definitely had a very long day!

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	Our luncheon group - starting with the left bottom of the photographs, the individuals are:  Mr. Li, Mr. Zhang, Mr. Ma, Melinda, Yuanyuan, Mr. Sun and Ms. Chen
	We made a quick stop at Yuanyuan's apartment and Melinda & Yuanyuan posed on Yuanyuan's bike (obviously kept inside for security reasons - just like in the US)
	The enormous Ferris Wheel
	Ed caught the upside-down roller coaster in action!

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            Tiger Hill:  We took bus no. 939 directly across from the HI Jasmine to reach Tiger Hill, a beautiful park with numerous historic sites.  It was a beautiful Fall day and we enjoyed seeing the foliage with its many colors.  We spent the day at the complex and enjoyed relaxing in the beautiful setting.  We saw the Yunyansi Pagoda – known as “Suzhou’s Leaning Tower”.  The Pagoda is 158 feet tall and leans approximately three degrees (7.5 feet) to the Northwest.  The tower was built beginning in 959AD and finished in 961AD.  It sits on top of the Hill and is very impressive!  Tiger Hill is full of many beautiful pagodas and buildings.  Another very nice spot was The Garden of Potted Trees – a collection of bonsai plants.  It was such a perfect setting and a wonderful way to enjoy this lovely city.  Afterwards, we and Yuanyuan returned to the hotel via bus no. 1.  What a great day!

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	Yunyansi Pagoda as seen when we arrived at Tiger Hill
	Ed, Yuanyuan & Melinda in front of Yunyansi Pagoda and the beautiful Fall foliage
	We finally reached the summit and have a full view of Yunyansi Pagoda
	We're now walking down from Yunyanzi Pagoda along a different path with lots of buildings, pavilions and small pagodas
	Yuanyuan posing in the circular doorway of one building
	Yunayuan and the colorful leaves
	Ed, Yuanyuan & Melinda in front of a small building
	Yuanyuan has found another circular doorway
	The three of us by a small pavilion with colorful foliage in every corner
	Yuanyuan sitting in front of a beautiful waterfall
	Looking down on the collection of bonsai trees in the Garden of Potted Trees
	A lovely pine bonsai tree
	This bonsai had some beautiful Fall berries
	A shot of Yuanyuan by another small waterfall and pond

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             Humble Administrator’s Garden:  We once again relied on bus no. 1 to reach the Humble Administrator’s Garden since it’s located next to the Suzhou Museum (in fact, parts of the original housing was converted into the gardens of the Suzhou Museum).  Yuanyuan was at work this day so we visited the Garden on our own.  It was another beautiful Fall day and we enjoyed spending it in this lovely setting.  The Humble Administrator’s Garden was originally built in the early 1500’s during the Ming Dynasty.  It is considered to be one of the four finest gardens in China.  Due to the maintenance of the Garden in its traditional style of the Ming Dynasty, it was designated as a UNESCO world heritage sight in 1997.

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	Entering into the beautiful garden
	Beautiful Fall foliage above a sculptured pond
	A small pavilion set among the trees
	An island building
	Ed too finds a circular entry between buildings
	Another view of beautifully crafted buildings, bridges and water ways
	The sun catches the reflection of the willows in the pond
	Around every turn, another stunning view
	The interior of the 36 Pictures of Mandarin Ducks' Hall - beautiful!
	And, right outside.... a Mandarin Duck
	An area of potted bonsai similar to the one we enjoyed at Tiger Hill
	Beautiful colors complimenting a beautiful building
	A lovely walkway with no one present

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             MuDu Ancient Town:  MuDu is an ancient town located about 1.5 hours west of downtown Suzhou.  We traveled there with Yuanyuan first via the metro and then via a local bus.  We enjoyed walking through the narrow streets and over the many canals in the area.  It was very much like being in Shan Tang Old Street but this was much bigger.  After enjoying MuDu, we walked farther into a modern suburb of Suzhou.  There we met Yuanyuan’s cousin and his wife and enjoyed a warm beverage as it was now beginning to feel like winter.  After we all warmed up, Yuanyuan’s cousin and his wife returned home while the three of us returned back to downtown Suzhou to enjoy an evening at the Executive Lounge at the HI Jasmine.

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	One of the canals in MuDu Ancient Town
	A colorful shopping pedway
	An artisan carving a stone jar
	Freshwater pearls are cultivated in this area
	Yuanyuan and family

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