Nanjing, Wuxi and Suzhou are relatively close together and have many of the same characteristics. For one thing, they are all linked on the Grand Canal, so that is one possibility of travel between them. All have excellent gardens as tourist sites, which are a wonderfully serene venue generally. Many of the following pictures are from a few of these gardens. This area is old, these cities have been capitals of the Empire, the Province and of different Governments. Tragedy has occurred here on a grand scale, as has happiness and celebration. The picture above is of Bron and I in the 'Master of the Nets' scholar's garden in Suzhou. One of the highlights for the tour group was visiting the 'Silk Factory', where even we purchased some silk items, including a duvet cover and filler which we still use daily. The following pictures begin in Nanjing, then by bus for three hours on to Wuxi and by boat along the Grand Canal to Suzhou, the order we took on the trip.