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Suzhou

Suzhou Originally founded in 514 BCE, Suzhou has over 2,500 years of rich history, and relics of the past are abundant to this day. The city's canals, stone bridges, pagodas, and meticulously designed gardens have contributed to its status as one of the top tourist attractions in China. Since the Song Dynasty (960-1279), it has also been an important centre for China's silk industry. The classical gardens in Suzhou were added to the list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1997 and 2000. Suzhou is often dubbed the "Venice of the East" or "Venice of China".

 

Tiger Hill (Huqiu)

With a history of more than 2,500 years, the Tiger Hill has been known as No. 1 Sight of Suzhou. It is a must for tourists.

 

The great Song literary man Su Dongpo said, "It would be a pity if you had been to Suzhou but didn't get to visit the Tiger Hill."

 

Hanshan Temple

Hanshan Temple is famed in East Asia because of the poem "A Night Mooring by Maple Bridge" (楓橋夜泊), by Tang Dynasty poet, Zhang Ji. The poem describes the melancholy scene of a dejected traveller, moored at night at Fengqiao, hearing the bells of Hanshan Temple.

 Great Wave Pavilion(Cang Lang Ting)- Song Dynasty

It is the oldest of the UNESCO gardens in Suzhou, keeping its original Song Dynasty layout.

"If the Canglang River is dirty I wash my muddy feet; If the Canglang River is clean I wash my ribbon"

 

 

 

Lion Grove Garden(Shi Zi Lin )-Yuan Dynasty

It is famous for the large and labyrinthine grotto of taihu rock at the garden's center. The name of the garden derives from the shape of these rocks which are said to resemble lions.

 

 

Humble Administrator's Garden(Zhuo Zheng Yuan)- Ming Dynasty

It is the largest garden in Suzhou and is generally considered to be the finest garden in all of southern China.

 

 

Lingering Garden(Liu Yuan)- Qing Dynasty

The garden, divided into four distinctly themed sections, acquired the nickname “Liu Yuan” from the owner’s surname.

 

Entertainment

Kunqu was developed during the Ming Dynasty (14th-17th centuries). Due to its influence on other Chinese theatre forms, it is known as the "teacher" or "mother" of one hundred operas, including Jingju (Peking Opera).

 

Suzhou Pingtan is a subgenre of Shuochang, which originated from the folk ballad, folk songs and fables which appeared over 5,000 years ago.

 

Shopping Tips

The recommended souvenirs are Su style embroidery, silk products, Biluochun tea, sandalwood fans, freshwater pearls, snuff bottles, and so on.