City Guide:

Suzhou is located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River and on the shore of Taihu Lake . Suzhou covers an area of 8,488 square meters and is inhabited by a population of more than 6 million. There are altogether 6 county-level towns under the jurisdiction of Suzhou .

Suzhou is surrounded by more than 20 lakes. Narrow waterways thread between white-walled houses to link up with the Grand Canal , making the city the "Venice of China". The four seasons in Suzhou are distinct, with a yearly temperature averaging 15.7 degrees centigrade and precipitation of 1,250 mm .

Ever since the founding of Suzhou as the capital of the Wu Kingdom in 514 B.C., it has been the political, economic and cultural center of the region. As a place famed for its well-known scholars, successful merchants, great architects and distinguished artists, Suzhou provides favorable conditions for the creation and development of classical gardens, among which the Humble Administrator's Garden, the Lingering Garden, the Lion Cave Grove, and the Garden of Master's Nets are the most famous and the masterpieces of the Suzhou Gardening Art. Suzhou is also famous for its water towns. Tongli Town , Luzhi Town and Zhouzhuang are frequently visited by tourist of both home and abroad.