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| View of the pagoda through the entrance archway |
Zhangjiagang is actually a bigger city than what the locals would lead you to believe. About a half an hour north of city center is the
Xiangshan Scenic Area.
It's a large park with lots of pavilions, ponds, and a towering pagoda high on a hill top.
It was such a beautiful fall day that I couldn't pass up the opportunity to get out of the house again and get back into nature.
This is a perfect juxtaposition of the ancient and modern worlds of China; lone pavilion and an expansive city behind it.
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| Beacon Tower |
Used during some ancient war as a communication point, Beacon Tower used smoke singles during the day and lit a fire by night. It also was my favorite place in the whole park. There is a beautiful 360 degree view of the farm lands that surround the area as well as the distant views of the cities. After all the noise of the crowds and city it was the most peaceful place I've been to in a long time. If only I had had a chair and a book with me.
Views from top of Beacon Tower
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| Look! I'm a scenic spot |
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| An archway that pillars look kind of like swords |
Like I mentioned on the top of the mountain is the Wind-hearkening Pagoda. Advertised as an ancient pagoda it was actually only just built in 2005 in the style of the Ming and Qing Dynasty. Regardless, it was a beautiful replica and was well worth the hike up the hill.
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Me in front of the pagoda.
It was a sunny day, thus the squinting. |
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| Another view of the pagoda |
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| A set of pagodas where vendors had set up games and photo booths |
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| My favorite picture of the day |
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| On top of the hill with the scenic area and city behind me |
Beautiful shots of a beautiful place, Lesley. Good job on letting us all experience it with you via internet. Loving you across the miles!
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