Expats enjoy natural beauty and cultural heritage in Kunshan

Famous Christian philosopher and theologian Saint Augustine once wrote, "The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page." In the spirit of adventure and exploring beautiful Kunshan city in East China’s Jiangsu province, a group of six expats seized an opportunity to join the “Kunshan through Expat Eyes” trip on April 22.

The international tourists were invited to an 11.3-kilometer (7-mile) lakeside cycling event, which began at the Half-Marathon Lawn, one of the eight most beautiful scenic spots by Dianshan Lake, and ended at the Le Camp, a well-known camping spot in Kunshan. During the ride, participants enjoyed the picturesque lake view and immersed themselves in the pleasant spring vibe.

After cycling, the group explored Jinxi Ancient Town, an old town with a history of over 1,000 years and famous for many traditional buildings built in the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties.

The group walked along the scenic alleyways lined with traditional Suzhou-style folk houses, white walls and gray tile rooftops built along the canal, admiring the intricate stone carvings and elegant bridges.

Kunshan has been a famous place for the production of bricks and tiles since ancient times, and Jinxi is home to a large number of well-preserved ancient kilns.

As they strolled through the ancient town, they came across the China Ancient Brick and Tile Museum, where they learned about the ancient brick making process in Kunshan, from the selection of clay to the firing of bricks in a kiln.

The museum also displayed ancient artifacts, leaving the expats with a newfound appreciation for the early civilization.

Their adventure continued at a small tea house where they listened to the beautiful melodies of the guqin, an ancient Chinese stringed instrument. They were shown by a local pastry master the techniques of making Wadisu, a sweet and salty crispy local pastry.