Suzhou Travel
Suzhou
Location Suzhou is located in the center of the Yangtze Delta, in the south of Jiangsu Province, with Shanghai to the east, Zhejiang Province to the south, Wuxi City to the west and the Yangtze River to the north.
History Built in 514 BC, Suzhou is an ancient city with a 2500 years' history. The unique characteristics of the past are still retained in present-day Suzhou. The double-chessboard layout of Suzhou, with 'the streets and rivers go side by side while the water and land routes run in parallel', are preserved basically intact. Strolling the streets, you can feel the unique lingering charm of this landscape left by its long history.
Climate The best time to travel to Suzhou is April to October, when the trees and flowers of this garden city are green and in full bloom. Nevertheless, Suzhou is an excellent destination throughout the year as winters are mild. Suzhou climate is considered subtropical with an average temperature of 15 to 17 degrees centigrade. The annual average rainfall is 1076 mm.
Main Attraction List
The history of the classical gardens of Suzhou can be traced back to 6 BC. By the time of the Ming and Qing dynasties, Suzhou City had become a garden city with more than 200 gardens. Having experienced a long history, only a part of the gardens are preserved perfectly. Canglang Pavilion (Blue Wave Pavilion), Lingering Garden, Humble Administrator's Garden and Lion Grove Garden are the four top gardens in Suzhou, representing the architectural styles of Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties respectively. The latter three gardens were added to the World Heritage List in 1997. Additionally, the Garden of Master of Nets will definitely appeal to you, as it is the best example of small and medium-sized gardens.
Zhouzhuang, inheriting the splendid culture of Wu, is the best example of water country in China. There, you can enjoy a view like a Chinese landscape painting, just like that described by Ma Zhiyuan (a poet of Yuan Dynasty) in his lyric - a household on a creek flowing under a stone-bridge nearby.
Tiger Hill which is named the No.1 sight in Suzhou and has a profound cultural background. The poem Mooring by the Maple-Bridge at Night written by Zhang Ji (a Chinese poet of the Tang Dynasty) has given a world-wide reputation to the Hanshan Temple (Cold Mountain Temple) and the Maple-Bridge of Suzhou since imperial times.
NightlifeIn addition to breath-taking scenery and unique handcrafts, Suzhou is rich in cultural 
heritage. Kun opera, Pingtan (a form of storytelling and ballad singing in Suzhou dialect) and Guzheng (a Chinese zither with 25 strings) are the traditional cultural arts of Suzhou and part of the locals' daily lives. Visitors can visit the Garden of Master of Nets at night to enjoy all three of these classical forms of entertainment. Folk music and dancing and six other artistic performances will provide lasting memories of Suzhou City.
heritage. Kun opera, Pingtan (a form of storytelling and ballad singing in Suzhou dialect) and Guzheng (a Chinese zither with 25 strings) are the traditional cultural arts of Suzhou and part of the locals' daily lives. Visitors can visit the Garden of Master of Nets at night to enjoy all three of these classical forms of entertainment. Folk music and dancing and six other artistic performances will provide lasting memories of Suzhou City.Dining
Suzhou has been called the 'land of milk and honey' since ancient times and Jiangsu cuisine, of which Suzhou cuisine makes up one important part, is one of the eight famous culinary arts in China.
It is an important custom for locals to eat specific dishes according to the changing seasons. For example, Biluo Xiaren (quick-fried shrimp with biluochun tea) is sampled in spring and Xigua Ji (young chicken wrapped in watermelon rind and steamed) is well tasted in summer. Maybe, autumn is the time most yearned for by the population, because it is time to enjoy the delicious steamed crabs and nutritious Bafei Soup (barbel soup).
Songshu Guiyu (mandarin fish, stewed and fried), which was praised by Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) is considered to be the ultimate Suzhou dish, and it is highly recommended that you try it during your visit. Following are two recommended century-old establishments where you will be able to sample these famous dishes:
ShoppingIn addition to its natural beauty, Suzhou boasts a number of excellent local products, ranging from snacks to exquisite handcrafts. A fan, a piece of embroidery or a box of local snacks will be not only an excellent souvenir of your journey but the best gift to take home to your friends and relatives. There is no need to visit a large number of shops in search of the best local products, because most of the larger shops have been in business for many years and offer high quality goods. Just enjoy your shopping in Suzhou!
Su Embroidery
Su embroidery is one of the four major styles of Chinese Embroidery. Vivid depictions of animals, people, landscapes and flowers are popular themes of Su embroidery. Traditional embroidery is blended with fashionable contemporary elements, yielding a style of embroidery that is appreciated by both Chinese people and foreigners. You can enjoy more exquisite Suzhou embroidery in the Su Embroidery Museum, which is at No.262, Jingde Road.
Su embroidery is one of the four major styles of Chinese Embroidery. Vivid depictions of animals, people, landscapes and flowers are popular themes of Su embroidery. Traditional embroidery is blended with fashionable contemporary elements, yielding a style of embroidery that is appreciated by both Chinese people and foreigners. You can enjoy more exquisite Suzhou embroidery in the Su Embroidery Museum, which is at No.262, Jingde Road.
Biluochun Tea
Biluochun green tea is produced in Wu County, Suzhou of Jiangsu Province. It is one of the ten famous Chinese Teas and is noted for its smooth shape, fresh color, fragrant aroma and mellow taste. The best Biluochun tea leaves are picked during March and April, and the prepared tea leaves are curled like screws and covered with white fuzz. Production of authentic Biluochun tea is very limited, making it expensive and hard to find.
Biluochun green tea is produced in Wu County, Suzhou of Jiangsu Province. It is one of the ten famous Chinese Teas and is noted for its smooth shape, fresh color, fragrant aroma and mellow taste. The best Biluochun tea leaves are picked during March and April, and the prepared tea leaves are curled like screws and covered with white fuzz. Production of authentic Biluochun tea is very limited, making it expensive and hard to find.
Last：Qinhuai River
Next：None
Next：None
