In the morning, I visited the Humble Administrator’s Garden. This is one of China’s four most famous gardens. The other three include the Summer Palace in Beijing, the Chengde Imperial Summer Resort in Chengde, and the Lingering Garden in Suzhou. This garden was built in the 16th century by a retired government official. It’s notable for its use of rockeries. For example, rock formations obscure the entrance of the garden so that guests are gradually introduced to the beauty of the outdoor space. The garden also features rich cultural and historic references.

Now that I’ve visited three of the top four Chinese gardens (all but Lingering Garden, which is weirdly within walking distance of where I’m staying), I can say that I’m simply not that into gardens. 🤷‍♂️ I want to like them, but I can’t sit still long enough to enjoy them. I’m a man who constantly needs to be on the move. 

Speaking of “on the move,” I’ll be scooting along at a very fast pace these next few days. My next stop is Beijing (for one night) before making my grand return home to ‘Murica. 🇺🇸 It’ll be bittersweet, I’m sure. I’ve developed a distinct routine these last 6 weeks. I’ll miss the many chance encounters, shared experiences with new friends, and unique photographs that I’ve collected along the way. Most of all, I’ll miss the sense of adventure and freedom that often comes with solo travel.

At the same time, I’m excited to return home to see my family and to organize and collect my thoughts. I owe it to myself to share something more substantial when I’m done. All in due time. In the meantime, I want to make the most of my last few days. Onward!