The weather is quickly changing, and now is the time of year that most of us start to think about all of the things that we didn’t get done this summer. Before you know it, we’ll all be miserably cold and dreaming about that vacation in Thailand. We can’t help you have that summer romance or score the winning point for your softball team, football team or any other team. We can, however, help you make the most of what is left of the warm weather by giving you the skinny on the Baitang Arboretum.
There are more than forty traditional gardens in Suzhou, but they are small, and this time of year they are packed with tourists. Baitang Arboretum is the perfect spot to enjoy some solitude and spend a little time outdoors. It’s bigger than all of the ‘World Heritage Site’ gardens combined, is never crowded, and since it has only been operational for less than a year, is free to the public. Trees and flowers abound here, and it is quickly becoming the best place in Suzhou to do a little bird watching. The size of the park is a bit overwhelming, so you may want to rent a bike to see the whole thing. Skateboards and rollerblades are also a great way to get around on the wide, smooth sidewalks. Try renting a boat or plastic bubble (that’s right, a bubble) to explore the ponds that dot the gardens. There are teahouses, exhibition areas and even some tree houses that provide a nice spot to read a book or have a picnic. A pleasant day indeed.
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