Jet lag has its perks

Jet lag gave us an unexpected gift — a completely new experience of Suzhou. Instead of struggling to fall asleep, we headed out for a sunrise walk at 5 AM. The city was still half-asleep, wrapped in a quiet calm that’s hard to find during the day. We strolled along empty canals, crossed silent stone bridges, and watched the first golden rays of sunlight spill over traditional rooftops. It felt like we had Suzhou all to ourselves — no crowds, no noise, just the soft sound of birds and the occasional boat gliding through the water. This peaceful side of the city is something you rarely see in guidebooks. The only catch? The famous classical gardens, which we were hoping to explore in the morning light, don’t open until 7:30 AM. But even without them, those early hours were some of the most beautiful we’ve experienced in China so far.