“There is heaven in the sky, and Suzhou on earth.”
- old Chinese proverb
It is the famous explorer Marco Polo who once said that Suzhou is the Eastern Venice. A city 100 kilometers south of Shanghai, Suzhou is one of the oldest towns in the Yangtze basin and the cradle of Wu culture. The city greatly benefited when the Grand Canal of China was completed, placing it along a major trade route in the empire. Known for its spider-web of canals, picturesque gardens (several of which are UNESCÒ World Heritage sites) and its relevance in the silk trade, the city is an example of millennia of urban development which result in a harmony of beauty, commerce, and culture. As the economy rapidly developed, the city committed itself to the major demolition and reconstruction of its central areas, converting narrow streets, alleys and canals to multi-lane highways and shopping malls.
Here are some of the things you can do during your visit to Suzhou.

Stroll through the gardens - Built according to the style of Chinese paintings, there are a hundred private gardens, some of which are open to the public. The Humble Administrator’s Garden is the largest private garden in the city and has a tour starting every 5-10 minutes. Blue Wave Pavilion, the Garden of the Master of the Nets and Lion Grove are other gardens worth visiting, and all exemplify the beauty of Chinese refinement.
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