Nov. 14, Beijing: Violinist Philip Kates enters Beijing South Railway Station to catch the train to Suzhou. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
Nov. 14, Beijing: Some of the many treats available at the station. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
Nov. 14, Beijing: Cellist Ohad Bar-David makes a call before boarding the train. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
Nov. 14, between Beijing and Suzhou: Violinist Davyd Booth, who was on the Orchestra’s historic 1973 Tour of China, chats with Kristen Chun, Orchestra manager of civic affairs, on the high-speed train. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
Nov. 14, between Beijing and Suzhou: Phil and Assistant Conductor Tristan Rais-Sherman use the train ride to study some scores. The distance of approximately 700 miles from station to station took only five and a half hours, with the train at times reaching speeds over 200 mph. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
Nov. 14, between Beijing and Suzhou: Violist Marvin Moon gets some rest on the train. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
Nov. 14, Suzhou: The Orchestra delegation was greeted by news cameras upon their arrival at Suzhou North Railway Station. Davyd is interviewed by a local station. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
Nov. 14, Suzhou: A journalist reports from the station as the delegation boards their bus. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
Nov. 14, Suzhou: After checking in at the hotel, members of the delegation enjoyed dinner. A regional specialty is song shu gui yu, or squirrel fish. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
Nov. 15, Suzhou: Today was a free day. A shot of Suzhou taken from the hotel. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
Nov. 15, Suzhou: Violinists Willa Finck and Daniel Han take a few hours to practice at the hotel for upcoming performances. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
Nov. 15, Suzhou: Many enjoyed a day of sightseeing curated by the Suzhou government. The first stop was the Hanshan Temple. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
Nov. 15, Suzhou: The Temple, also called Cold Mountain Temple, is named after a former abbot, the legendary monk and poet Hanshan. It’s located on the banks of the Grand Canal and was founded 1,500 years ago. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
Nov. 15, Suzhou: Davyd rings the famous bell at the Temple. Said to be the largest Buddhist bell in the world, you must ring it three times for good luck. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
Nov. 15, Suzhou: Phil takes a contemplative moment in the serenity of the Temple, considered to be one of the 10 greatest temples in China. It owes its fame to a classic Chinese poem called A Night Mooring by Maple Bridge. It’s also known for its yearly midnight bell ringing. Every Lunar New Year’s Eve, thousands of visitors come from across China and beyond to hear the monks strike the temple’s enormous bell 108 times to ring in the new year. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
Nov. 15, Suzhou: The next stop was Wang Shi Garden, or Master of the Nets Garden. Originally built in the year of Chunxi of South Song Dynasty (1174–89) by a dismissed official, Zhang Jun, Master of the Nets Garden was originally called Fisherman’s Hermitage. In the year of Qianlong of Qing Dynasty (1765), another retired official, Song Zongyuan, restored the garden and renamed it Master of the Nets. Some 30 years later, a wealthy merchant came to own the garden and expanded it to its present scale. Principal Librarian Nicole Jordan strolls through the peaceful garden. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
Nov. 15, Suzhou: A bucolic scene at the Garden. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
Nov. 15, Suzhou: The Master of the Nets Garden is less than an acre and a half and is a representative work of Suzhou’s classical gardens. Classical Chinese garden design aims to recreate natural beauty in miniature. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
Nov. 15, Suzhou: Suzhou is known for its canals, bridges, and gardens and is also called the Venice of the East. A little over 60 miles from Shanghai, it’s now part of the Greater Shanghai metro area. Founded in 514 BC, the city has a total population of over 12 million, according to the 2020 census. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
Nov. 15, Suzhou: In the evening, the delegation was treated to a dinner of local cuisine, hosted by the Suzhou government. Violinist Yu-Ting Chen eagerly awaits the meal. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
Nov. 15, Suzhou: Huang Ximing, deputy director general, publicity of CPC, Suzhou Municipal Committee, makes a toast. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
Nov. 15, Suzhou: Orchestra Executive Director Ryan Fleur presents a framed 50th Anniversary China Residency poster signed by all the members of the delegation to Huang Ximing. Photo by Todd Rosenberg