The ancient city of Suzhou, the so-called Venice of the East, is rapidly changing, and what was farmland a few short years ago is now steel, pavement, and glass. Suzhou is also home to the famed Suzhou Gardens revered around the world for their design and beauty. The West of Japan / East of Europe exhibit opened at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University this month. It was a wonderful opportunity to experience and learn of an ever-changing urban landscape and culture; here a mix of old and new…from the beauty and depth of the Master of Nets Garden, to a twilight stroll along a canal, to the eye-catchiness of the recently opened Gate to the East building (mocked as “The Pants” for obvious reasons) …
