Tourist town encounters: fast trains, fancy porcelain and hairy crabs

Crabs, traditional crafts and healthy lashings of history and technology were just a few of the things on the menu when a group of young speech contestants toured Suzhou, Jiangsu province, on Thursday.

The visitors, from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, gathered for the national grand finals of the Belt and Road Youth English Speaking Competition and the "21st Century Cup" National English Speaking Competition in Taicang, near Suzhou, during the week.

The tour of Suzhou, often hailed as the "Venice of the East", began with a visit to Yangcheng Lake Crab Museum, which served as an enticing introduction to the city's culinary heritage. The visitors delved into the world of dazhaxie, or hairy crab, a local delicacy renowned for its succulent meat and flavor. They heard about how the crabs are raised, how they can be best savored and about local delicacies incorporating hairy crab meat.

Next stop on the tour was Feng Menglong village, a historical gem nestled in the heart of Suzhou. The village, named after Feng Menglong, a Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) writer, glories in postcard-perfect scenery and ancient architecture.

"This trip has made me fall in love with Chinese culture and deeply appreciate China's rich cultural heritage," said Hu Ke'er, a Taiwan resident, adding that she believes the Belt and Road Initiative will foster communication between China and the other countries involved.

The contestants then ventured into the future as they explored Suzhou High-Speed Rail New Town, where they were given insights into innovative technology. Lam Chin Pong from Macao, a technology enthusiast, was particularly impressed.

"Visiting the town I was amazed by the advances Suzhou has made. As an engineering student in Beijing, it was remarkable witnessing real-time car monitoring and traffic flow evaluation," Lam said. "Suzhou's technological prowess can serve as a model for other cities and countries."

The group also visited the Suzhou Museum of Imperial Kiln Brick, which houses a collection of imperial kiln bricks and porcelain artifacts and offers a glimpse into China's past. Sham Pui Yan from Hong Kong enthused about working with tiles and ceramics.

"Seeing tiles once used by kings made me appreciate the dedication and craftsmanship that go into creating just one tile."

Sham encouraged other young people to engage in more exchanges and remain open to trying new things and visiting new places.

The visitors' next stop was Pingjiang Road, a historic street that winds its way through Suzhou's traditional houses, teahouses and shops. The ancient cobblestone-paved alleyway is renowned for its canals and the laidback atmosphere that harks back to a bygone age.

Contestants strolled along its paths, basking in nostalgia and relishing the classical architecture that presents a vibrant canvas of Chinese history.

dylan.austin.walker@i21st.cn