Suzhou Overview

Suzhou, a city in eastern Jiangsu Province, is situated in the geographical center of the Yangtze River Delta. It is neighboring Shanghai in the east and the Taihu Lake in the west, with 219 kilometers to the Nanjing City in the west and 80 to the downtown of Shanghai City in the east. The Suzhou City, as the southeastern door of Jiangsu Province and the throat of Shanghai City, becomes a necessary pass to Zhejiang Province from the middle and north region of Jiangsu.

The Suzhou City is a famous historical and cultural city with a history of 2500 years. It was established in 514 B.C., known as Gusu. And until 581 A.D during the Sui Dynasty, it took its name Suzhou. The old city has generally retained the unique characteristics of the past. The city is featured in elegant natural scenery. It enjoys beautifully natural scenery, and the water and hills in Suzhou is as charming as a delicate beauty. Small bridges and flowing waters, white walls and dark gray roof tiles match one another in tranquil elegance.

Nevertheless, Suzhou is most famous for its poetic and picturesque gardens. It is known that the gardens of the south area of the Yangtze River are best from east to west, and the gardens in Suzhou are best in the south area of the Yangtze River. There are about 60 gardens and courtyards, as well as 416 protected historic interests in the whole Suzhou City. Most of them still remain the original characters of the past. With lots of poems left in the gardens. And the Humble Administrator's Garden and the Lingering Garden in Suzhou are ranking in the four most famous gardens of china.

The city features both in classic gardens and elegant natural scenery, displays harmonies both in its unique gardens and landscape, natural and cultural scenery. Thus it was highly praised as a paradise on earth and has been attracting many of tourists around the world with its famous tourist spots, such as Zhouzhuang Town, Kunqu Opera Museum, Humble Administrator's Garden, and Tongli Town and so on. Zhouzhuang, known as the Number one water town of China, is famous for its unique man-made sights, traditional architectural design, and folkways. The Administrator's Garden has well maintained the original characters of the past. And the Tongli Town draws people’s attention by its numerous architectures in the Ming and Qing Dynasty, affiliated with excellent natural environment and rich culture.

With its feature in the ancient garden and natural scenery, Suzhou is listed one of the 24 national famous Historical and Cultural Cities, and one of the four nationally key environmental protection cities. And now it develops as a center of the economy, external trade, industry and business as well as logistics in Jiangsu Province, also an important center of culture, arts, education and transportation. 

Main attractions in Suzhou:
Zhouzhuang Ancient Town
The town, which enjoys a history of 900 years, is famous for its peaceful scenery and simple architectures. Surrounded by rivers and canals on all sides, it deposited itself in a wonder world of water.

Humble Administrator's Garden
The Humble Administrator's Garden is the largest and most renowned classical landscape garden in Suzhou City consisting of four parts, and each part shows different sceneries to the world. It perfectly combines the natural scenery with ancient cultures in China. 

Kunqu Opera Museum
The Kunqu Opera Museum is the best-preserved museum in Suzhou City with unique large scale and delicate carving. It delivers all kinds of Kunqu Opera plays and Kunqu Opera relics so that it is an ideal place where you can enjoy its special history and culture.