The long history of Suzhou City has left behind many attractive scenic spots and historical sites with beautiful and interesting legends. The elegant classical gardens, the old - fashioned houses and delicate bridges hanging over flowing waters in the drizzling rain, the beautiful lakes with undulating hills in lush green, the numerous scenic spots and historical sites, and the exquisite arts and crafts, etc. have made Suzhou a renowned historical and cultural city full of eternal and poetic charm.

Suzhou was the capital of the Wu State during the Spring and Autumn Period. In 514 BC, by the command of King He Lu of Wu, his senior minister Wu Zixu built the Great City of He Lu, and its wall measured 23.5 kilometres in circumsference with 8 pairs of land - and - water gates. The city began to take the name of Suzhou and Gusu City during the Sui Dynasty. Numerous changes have taken place in Suzhou through its vast history. Yet, in spite of repeated devastation, the city is still seated exactly on the original site as it was 2500 years ago, which is indeed an instance rarely found in the world.

Suzhou is also known as the "Venice of the East". The city is sandwiched between Taihu Lake and Grand Canal. Network of cannels, criss-crossed with hump-backed bridges, give Suzhou an image of City on the water.

Master of Nets Garden

The Master of Nets Garden is the best and most celebrated of all the Suzhou gardens. This combined Qing Dynasty residence and garden is also the smallest of the Suzhou gardens.
The Master of Nets Garden is truly a masterpiece. The effective use of space is the most impressive thing about this garden. Rock arrangements and beautiful fish pools balance each other as do the house and garden sections. The garden also contains many examples of using lattice windows to frame scenes of flowers or bamboo.

Hanshan Temple

Hanshan Temple is one of Suzhou's greatest landmarks and most active Buddhist temples. This temple is an important part of Suzhou's local community and cultural life. Built during the Liang Dynasty (502-519), more than 1400 years ago, the temple is named after the famous monk of that dynasty, Hanshan.
The Hanshan Temple with its dark roof tiles and yellow walls can be seen very clearly amongst the surrounding pine and cypress trees. The main buildings and towers of the Temple complex offer a good view of the area.

Lion Grove

Lion Grove is arguably Suzhou's best example of using a garden to evoke images in the mind. Taihu lake rock arrangements display leonine forms throughout the garden. Lion Grove pleases the mind with discoveries around every corner as you use your imagination to appreciate the forms around you.

Tiger Hill

Tiger Hill Park is simply one of Suzhou's greatest attractions! Within the park walls, there are lots of great sights, filled with history and legend. All in all, this is great place for a picnic or an afternoon of exploring.

Tiger Hill (Huqiu) is the final resting place of the ruler of ancient Suzhou, He Lu. The area was named Tiger Hill after a tiger was seen lying on He Lu's tomb. One of Tiger Hill's most famous spots is Sword Pond (Jianchi). He Lu was a famous warrior and sword collector and the Sword Pond is said to hold He Lu's treasured swords in its watery depths.

Tiger Hill also houses the Yunyan Pagoda, that has been leaning since the before the Qing Dynasty. Today this 1000-year-old (from the Sui Dynasty) pagoda has become a symbol of Suzhou.

Tongli Town

Located 20 kilometers southeast of downtown Suzhou, Tongli Town on water remains the original style of the Ming and Qing dynasties.

In the 0.67-squarekilometer town, there are 15 crisscrossing rivers, on which 20 bridges span. The streets in Tongli are narrow, simple and elegant. Teahouses, shops and residential houses line one after another.

Zhou Zhuang Garden

Recently declared an International Heritage Site by the United Nations, Zhou Zhuang also called "Humble Administrator’s Garden",is believed to be the first water town in China, established over 900 years ago. It is located near Suzhou, about a 2 hour bus ride from Shanghai. There are 14 bridges, and over 60% of the buildings are from the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. It is noted for its fresh water pearls, and the town's canals cause some to call it the Venice of China.

Zhuozheng Garden

The largest private garden of Suzhou, Zhuozheng Garden in Dongbei Street is a historical site under key protection in China. It was included in the list of the World Cultural Heritage.

Panmen Gate

The central part of the garden features a water pond of the garden with three mid-water isles and pavilions and kiosks. The layout, natural and unsophisticated, is a manifestation of the Ming Dynasty landscape art. The corridor that winds its way in the western part is a fine architectural example in areas south of the Changjiang River.

The Panmen Gate lies at the southwestern corner of the ancient city of Suzhou. It is the most completely preserved part of the ruins of the ancient city of Suzhou and has a long history of more than 2 500 years. Stepping on the gate, you can enjoy the water and gates, the Wumen Gate Bridge and the Auspicious Light Pagoda, which are popularly called “Three Scenes at the Panmen Gate”.