The Chinese proverb goes, “Heaven above, Suzhou and Hangzhou below.” Before I could even become acquainted with my hometown, Hangzhou (杭州, a popular tourist destination in China with many attractions), I left at the age of three to move to my grandparents’ city, Suzhou. 苏州, a historical and cultural city in China famous for its canals, bridges, and classical gardens. Since then, these two picturesque cities have woven themselves into the very fabric of my life, with Suzhou being the first city to add vibrant colors to my life.
During my early years, I was frail and often plagued by illness, yet I possessed a spirited, whimsical, and stubborn nature. I was a handful for my parents, who were busy with their careers and struggled to care for me. As a child, I preferred the carefree atmosphere of my grandmother’s home over my father’s strictness. My grandparents lived in the southern part of Suzhou. From an early age, my scholarly grandfather taught me various classical Chinese poems and took me to gardens to listen to traditional Chinese opera. Although I didn’t fully grasp the meanings of the verses, the echoes of poems and the melodies of the operas intertwined with every blade of grass and each branch of a tree in those gardens.
During that time, my grandmother’s biggest concern was my lack of appetite. She was elated whenever I took a few more bites. In the summertime, she would send my cousin to gather lotus seeds from the pond for soup. During winter, she would prepare steaming hot vegetable and fish soup for me. To ensure that I had a good appetite to grow, my grandparents would often take me to restaurants in Suzhou. Every little and big restaurant in the city bears the footprints of my happy childhood.
However, no matter how hard they tried, I, like a delicate flower on the brink of withering, continued to teeter on the edge. So, when my parents welcomed my younger brother into the world, they also sought blessings from temples far and wide, praying for the divine’s protection to keep me in the realm of the living. Following these blessings, I embarked on multiple journeys in the years that followed, seeking places that would grant me health to help me elude the Grim Reaper’s grasp. In my pursuit, I had to leave behind Suzhou.
No matter how long or how far away I’ve been, Suzhou has remained my happiest city. I love this city. I love the warmth of family that fills every corner, the smiles carried on every gentle breeze, and even the playfulness hidden within a speck of dust. I love its charming and comforting warmth under the gentle sunshine, and I love the soft and delicate drizzle that lingers so gracefully.
In spring, the warm sunlight, like an eager child, impatiently coaxes the peach blossoms to unfurl. It also resembles a graceful spirit bird, guiding me to rush outdoors to witness the vibrant butterflies dancing in the garden. The sunlight transforms my smiles into resplendent blossoms. My hair and dress, entwined with the fragrant blooms, engage in a spirited dance, while my smile weaves through the tree branches like a gentle breeze. Even during times of illness, the radiance of innocence remains undeniable. Within the embrace of spring, I hold on to every thread of vitality, breathing new life into my existence once more.
In the summer, I relish the view of starry skies through my window, utterly captivated by the tales my grandmother spins—stories woven into the very fabric of our lineage. During serene afternoons, my grandfather transforms into my guide, leading me to the places where these stories come alive. Suzhou’s summer unveils its lush, layered mountains, creating a surreal dreamscape where trees intertwine, crafting a world of wonder. I harmonize with the echoing chorus of cicadas, and the gentle caress of the breeze.
Often, I find myself in dreams, adorned in a floral gown, seated by the misty shores of Lake Tai (太湖, one of China’s largest freshwater lakes which flows through Suzhou), amidst the melancholic hues of autumn. In those moments, my gaze is drawn to the western horizon at twilight, where the water blushes a rosy hue. Enchantment fills the air as the sunset’s reflection cascades into the rippling waters, and I’m swept away by the freedom and melancholy of the autumn scenery as it dances through the reed beds. I imagine beautiful ancient legends arriving on boats not far away, as the clear lake hums softly, harmonizing with the crimson leaves that drape the layered hills, saturating me with the understated and carefree essence unique to the fall season there.
How could I ever forget Suzhou’s long winters? The cold season would drive me indoors. As I gazed out of the window at the falling rain or snow, I would sink into a quiet, faint melancholy. My focus would linger in one direction for extended moments, tracking dried leaves sporadically falling from the branches, drifting past the window. I contemplated the winding path meandering through the dimly lit alleys, where deep-seated sorrow seemed to dwell. When tears inexplicably welled up, it would startle my grandparents. So, my grandfather taught me poetry and art at once, while my grandmother stitched new clothes and shared stories. It was during those moments that the vibrant tapestry of my culture quietly wove itself into my young life.
I remember my grandmother often saying, “You’re like a little swan, growing up in our Suzhou, and you will fly away.” Her tone carried a hint of sadness. I would pout and playfully protest, “I don’t want to fly, I love Suzhou.” However, even in my childhood, I had a vague understanding that Suzhou’s ancient city walls couldn’t contain my wings, and its tranquil waterways couldn’t hold back my footsteps. Eventually, just as my grandmother had predicted, I couldn’t wait to grow up and fly away in haste. Each return visit was brief, and it wasn’t long before few people could recognize me or remember my name. Yet, the fragrance of cooking smells wafting down the streets, the chanting verses of Song dynasty poetry along the shores of Tai Lake, and the gardens scattered throughout the alleys, remain etched like lanterns lighting the way along the riverbank.
This is Suzhou. In this city, a delicate and sensitive life can experience the selflessness and grandeur of familial affection, as well as the profound richness of Chinese traditional culture. Suzhou embellished my childhood with innumerable fairy tales and dreams, immersing me in euphoric happiness.