Kunshan Tourist Attractions

There are many things to do and see in Kunshan but at times you may find it to be a challenge to get around. You can choose to walk, ride a bicycle, take a taxi or the bus, but they have their limitations as you do not have the freedom to explore. Some expats will apply for their driver’s license and purchase a personal car. Motorcycles are an option, but these licenses are difficult to get in Jiangsu Province.  Most people hire a private driver for long excursions, or buy an e-bike (a scooter that runs on electricity).

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS:

Tinglin Park

Tinglin Park is situated on the north end of downtown.  It spans over 140 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, walkways, trails, and exhibits.  There is a 20 RMB entrance fee, however, if you pay a little more up front, you can enjoy a year’s membership so you can visit as often as you like.

Tinglin Park is best known for Ma ‘an Mountain.  If you decide to take the challenge, it is no more than a 15-20 minute hike up to the top, where you can enjoy the view of the entire city as well as a few refreshments.

The park also includes many other features, including a zoo, bonsai garden, Kun Opera Museum, paddle boats, haunted house, and tomb.

  **Some features require additional fees.

  **The best times to visit are during the months of April and May when the flowers
bloom..

Kun Opera Museum

While you’re at Tinglin Park, you might take a few minutes to explore the Kun Opera Museum. The building is a model of antique architecture from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Kun Opera is widely known as “the father of all Chinese operas” and has been very influential to Beijing Opera. Inside the museum, you can see scripts and paraphernalia used in Kun Opera.

Fairmont Hotel

The Fairmont Hotel is one of the most renowned hotels in Kunshan. It hosts many community activities for expats, including a scrumptious Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner. The hotel also offers a spa, buffet, gym, walking/biking trails, and classes (including yoga, kung fu, etc.) for residents living in Kunshan. It is located near the famous Yangcheng Lake, which is famous for Hairy Crab. Its serene environment allows you to take a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and relax in nature.

Zhou Zhuang Water Town

You may have noticed that China isn’t exactly that "National Geographic image” you had imagined before moving here. In fact, many people are speechless to find that in some ways, China is far more advanced than many western cities.  But, if you are hoping to get a glimpse of China’s past, you can visit Zhou Zhuang Water Town.  It is one of the three most popular water town destinations outside of Shanghai.  Every year, there are several native and international guests.  It is usually quite busy, especially during beautiful weather and holidays.

While there, you can take boat rides, buy handmade items from local vendors, and immerse yourself in local cuisine.  Be sure to schedule a driver or long distance bus as it is quite far from the downtown area.

Kunshan Beer Festival, 2013

The German Beer festival is a major Kunshan highlight.  Held once a year in August behind the Swissotel, this event puts Kunshan on the map with other beer festival towns like Qingdao and Dalian. People from out of town come in to attend, including overnight guests from Shanghai and Suzhou.  Entrance tickets are about $25 USD (120-150RMB), and includes two 500 mL beers with two snacks at the German tent.  It's not cheap, but its good food and great company!

Inside the German tent, the most sought after tent for foreigners, you'll find a lively music act imported from Germany.  You'll always find them in their best lederhosen and dirndl.  Don't miss their "kissing gag" (I'll let you attend to find out what that is!).  They've been performing here for the past ten years and are definitely a stand-alone reason to attend.  The German tent is also the only tent with an A/C, and usually has the most foreign food.

Companies, such as mine, can rent tables for their companies.  We get a little excited when it comes to town.

We warmly invite you to dine with us! 

Merry Christmas! 2013

Merry Christmas, from the Lamborghini Hotel 2013!

Christmas is one of the biggest cultural events in China.  The city is decorated in red and green, and you can often see large Christmas trees outside large shopping areas.  Music of the season plays in all the stores and coffee shops, and of course, all the merry merchandise can be found at local stores (although the variety is limited).

This is the first year the Canadian International School held a Christmas concert.  It was beyond my comprehension that the school was able to rent and decorate that large banquet hall at the Lamborghini Hotel for our performance.  This was not going to be your regular Christmas performance in the gymnasium.  This was going to be very fancy.

We were given very loose guidelines about what our 3-5 minute class showcase would be.  Some teachers teachers had decided on a theatrical performances,  while others performed poetry to their artwork which flased on screen.  I, on the other hand, I set out to find the perfect Christmas song.  Despite my lack of creativity, I imagined my class of 1st and 2nd graders in synchronized danced steps, accompanied with a cute, comical skit to really wow my parents.  (I'm not sure how I settled on this, as my singing is not extrodinary and I never was selected on any dance audition in my life).  In our music class, my students contributed rhythmic actions, silly and sweet, to help piece together our overall show.

My experience in watching the very talented teachers from KSIS- my previous school in Kunshan -  who held grand performances with costumes and fully memorized scripts from kindergarten students helped guide our practices.  Now it was my turn to take my class of 16 and make them "Glee"ful.

The day of the concert was a busy one - all the teachers and staff met early to hang decorations that had been carefully selected.  The Lamborghini staff had  begun stocking the buffet table with Chinese hors dervous.  I gulped down my McDonalds Big Mac, then began hanging our personalized "Santa's Silly Elves" on the Christmas tree.  Families were already coming and taking a seat, which would mean that our stage rehearsal would get lots of attention.

Preparing the welcoming table with student work before families arrived with my two two favorite people!

Taping the stage so my students remember where to stand.  They were such good helpers!

Parents continued to check their children's clothes and offer assistance in our set up.  We took many pictures, of course with "scissor fingers" and wide grins.  There was a small reaction from families, all positives, as it was the first time they met my husband, the Indian.  He definitely stood out in the crowd.  Many came out of the way to compliment on how handsome he looked.  Kids had a perplexed look, "This is Mr. B?"

Chitrak, with my sister Donna.

Anxiously waiting for our performance!

Like any first-time event, props were lost, kids were scattered, and smiles were everywhere!  The accompanied music wasn't loud enough, and students got a little off step, but it only makes them look cuter.

Families enjoyed the ambiance of the venue.  A slightly elevated stage, which I marked with electrical tape to help inform students where they should stand, was at the front of the hall.  On either side of the room had a buffet table of snacks that attendees could come and enjoy at any time during the perofrmace.  In the center of the room, neatly placed chairs were lined in sections, each with a bottled water (which my students took no time in spilling everywhere!)

It was a neat experience, but a lot of sweat and tears went into the making.  I'm hoping that next year I plan on a performance with a little less preparation!

Here are some more pictures for your viewing pleasure:

Appetizers and comfortable seating.

Decorations were spot on!

I wouldn't let the script out of my hand for fear of not finding it again.

My sixteen babies awaiting their performance.

An introduction given by their teachers on stage.

Lights, camera, action!

All Smiles

My OCD kicking in...

The grand finale was an off-key performance of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" by the staff of CISK.

Followed by Santa with gifts (of course!).

Don't Forget Your Wallet!

Our Apartment Building

Mornings are always uneventful for me, if you don't count this morning...

It all started as we were leaving for work.  As Chitrak boarded the elevator and began his descent, I noticed he had left his wallet on the table.  I ran over to the window, and watched as he walked out of the building without it.  

I shouted at him, "You forgot your wallet!  Let me bring it down to you!"  

"Don't worry about it," he said.  Any extra time would have made him late for his driver.

"Are you sure?"  I asked, because I was pretty sure he needed it today.

"Just throw it down to me," he said.  I contemplated it for a second, thinking of all the worse case scenarios in my head.  The most horrific thought played like a movie in my mind.  I could see all the credit cards and Yuans suspended in the air, moving in slow speed as it showered to the ground among the bushes and rain puddles that had remained stagnant for days.  

"Ok."  I said, and thought of a strategy of how to send it.  I'll send the fold down first, and let it drop straight down... I know the money won't fly out then.

In a matter of seconds, I had released the wallet from my hand and watched it float down to Chitrak... or the window ledge on the second floor.

What a disaster.  My driver would come to collect me in 10 minutes and all our money is now sitting in a puddle on an unreachable ledge.  I was certain there was no way to retrieve it.

At this moment, I had noticed an elderly woman had watched the entire act from beginning to finish from across the street.  She ran up to Chitrak expressing her dismay in Chinese.  She wasn't the only audience I had this morning. 

There was no time to waste.  I grabbed my keys off of the table and hopped in the elevator.  When I reached the ground floor, I found the only way to climb the building was through a balancing act from the wobbly rail, to the creaky door, and a not-so-humanly-possible jump to the ledge..  this wasn't going to work, although I did try one attempt to make absolutely sure the option was ruled out.

In the end, Chitrak made it to work on time, and I did as well.  As luck might have it, I had climbed the stairs to the 2nd floor and found a window.  After sliding it open, I crawled out onto a ledge, then hopped over to the other ledge with the wallet.  

Oh, and what was it that you asked?  Did Chitrak have his wallet for work today?  No, I left it at home on the table to dry.  :-)

New Year's Resolution

So much has happened since I've written my last article, I have had trouble keeping up with my blogs.  Therefore, I have made a New Year's Resolution (yes, in February... I follow the Lunar Calendar along with my fellow Chinese colleagues!), I will update my blog at least once a week.

Hold me to it!

In my high school English class, I had my students journal about their New Year's Resolutions.  They were very aware of this tradition, and made general comments about how they want to better their English.  They didn't win too many brownie points with me though, as they are a pretty transparent class.  For example, the other day I noticed one of my students sauntering up the staircase during break.  As I smiled a hello to him, I caught a glimpse of his cell phone tucked within the sleeve of his shirt.  He turned a ghastly white when I caught him and began to apologize with the reason he had it with him.  With a stern look, I put the "F.O.G.," or the "Fear Of God," into the boy.  A proud moment in my teaching career, with a special thanks to Raymond Park Intermediate Academy.  I don't think he will be bringing it back into class again.

There are many dreams I have for the New Year.  I promise to keep you posted on my progress.

Happy New Year!  Or should I say 新年好

Mani Time!

Down at the nail kiosk!  Stephanie, Rachel, and Lisa came with me this time.

Last night I got the girls together for a manicure.  We walked toward Tingling Road, to venture into a hidden  "Nail Market" on the second floor of a department store building.  As you reach the top of the escalator, you see small kiosks stuffed side-by-side, with narrow aisles lined with eye brow waxing, lip plumping, makeup artistry, and of course, nail polish booths.  For a foreigner, it may not be the most comfortable place to be.  The room is not heated, nor air conditioned.  There is not enough room for "personal space" so you expect bumps and nudges from strangers, and in this particular store, you receive stares as though they have never seen a foreigner before.

We sat down at the nail salon I had been to before.  The people were friendly, but knew very little English.

I remember being a little overwhelmed the first time I had my nails done in China.  In our town, most of the locals do not know English.  They don't really need to because they only have a handful of international guests in the city.  How do you order your nails in Chinese?  The task is difficult, even with a translator.

We pulled out our phones from our bags, typing words and phrases, while passing them back and forth.  We were astonished to find out that gel polish (which is over a $60 USD treatment in the US) is only $10 USD here.  A basic manicure is 20 RMB, which figures out to $3.50.  We were in a girl's paradise.

After doing our best attempt at "Chinglish," we finally pulled out our dictionary.  I have begun composing my own dictionary of words and phrases I learn from others.  The workers were very excited to see it, and began to look through my book and sound out the English words.  

We had a lot of fun, learned a little Chinese, taught a little English, and got our nails done.

Until next time...

Our Home: Kunshan, China

Here is a short tour of our apartment.  Rooms in Yong Jing Wan came completely furnished.  We had to provide basic things like sheets, trash cans, and pillows.  Televisions, side tables, and couch were included. It is an expensive place to live in Kunshan, therefore expats mainly live here and very wealthy Chinese residents.

The apartment is very convenient.  At the entrance gate, you can find a dry cleaner, hair salon, small grocery (like CVS), and even a few restaurants.  Many taxis frequent the area, and a bus stop is not more than a block away.  A taxi is usually between $2-4 to take, depending on your destination.  The bus can be from $0.15 - $0.60, also depending upon your destination.  

Master Bedroom

The view from our living room.

View from our living room, looking down.

View from our office, zoomed in.

Guest room.

Dinning Room.

Opposite our dining room is the living room.

Entrance to our apartment in Yong Jing Wan.

View form our office at night.  The city lights up like Vegas.

View from our kitchen at night.  Sometimes you will see grand firework displays.

Tailoring To My Style

Kunshan.  Picking out a blouse.

Along the walls, reams of fabric sit side-by-side full of colorful designs and texture.  I flip through a neatly kept binder given to me by the shopkeeper to browse.  It was filled with pictures from magazines tucked in worn page protectors.    

"Which one have you decided on?"  my husband asked, looking over my shoulder.

"I don't know...there's so many to choose from." I close my eyes, and try to imagine how the outfit in the picture would look on me.  Finally, I point to a low-cut satin blouse .  "Let's try this one." 

While the shopkeeper scribbles foreign characters down on a blank sheet of paper, her assistant showcases different types of fabric: wool, cotten, silk...they have everything.  My eyes focus on a black silk cloth imprinted with a subtle traditional Chinese pattern.  "This one," I say as I point to the material, giving a thumbs up to show her I like it.

The shopkeeper types a few numbers in a calculator and holds it up to us.  It's the price estimate.  Chitrak divides the number by 6.45, the price of the Chinese currency against the US Dollar.  

The shirt is $60 US Dollars.  

My husband, who has mastered the art of bargaining, brings the price down to $50.  My heart skips a beat--$50 is more than I have ever paid for any shirt I've ever bought.  We accept the offer.  Suddenly, the shopkeeper gets on the phone.  She is calling for the tailor who will size me for my shirt.

A gentleman no older than 40 arrives.  He takes down my measurements, cuts a tiny piece of fabric out of the silk I have selected, and staples it to my bill.  He closely examines the shirt I have selected.  Below his measurements, he sketches the blouse.  He does not take the book with him, only his sketch and measurements.  

After 15 days, we returned to pick up the garment.  It was soft and dainty, but I was disappointed.  The silk blouse did not turn out how I had imaged.  From this experience, I have realized two things:  you must be careful on what type of fabric you choose, because it will lay on your body differently; and you must make sure the tailor you select is experienced in that area.  Many tailors are specific on what work they do, whether it is coats, suits, dresses, or collared shirts.  The best way to tell if a tailor is good at a particular look, is to see the sample outfits they hang around their shop.  

I recently took a shopping trip to the infamous Fabric Market in Shanghai.  I was pleased with the variety of fabric as well as modern fashion designs.  I had a collared shirt stitched from a photo I had taken from the internet.  It was prepared in one week, and fit perfectly.

In front of the Shanghai Fabric Market.

Inside the Fabric Market, getting measured.

Science & Technology Museum Fabric Market, Shanghai.

Science & Technology Museum Fabric Market, Shanghai.