Insider View

Dubbed as the “Venice of the East”, to almost all the Chinese people, Suzhou is considered one of the most beautiful cities of the whole country, just as the local saying, “Up above there is heaven; down below there are Suzhou and Hangzhou.”

Most of the travelers choose to stay in Shanghai and take a day tour to see the highlights of the city (a classic garden, Tiger Hill, Pingjian Road, and a boat trip). For travelers who stay in Suzhou, we usually suggest our clients visit the Suzhou Museum and a water town such as Tonngli, Luzhi, or Mudu; in the evening, take a stroll or a boat trip in the fascinating Shantang Street or a night tour and admire the evening performances in Master of the Nets Garden.

For luxury travelers, there are many international brand hotels in town, such as Park Hyatt, Shangri-La, Marriott, InterContinental, W Hotel, etc. For Aman Junkies, we recommend Youxiong Hotel, a local luxury boutique hotel, similar style as Aman, designed by the talented Japanese architect Shuhei Aoyama, renovated by Ieoh Ming Pei family’s former residence.
— Your China Specialists
Park Hyatt Suzhou
PARK HYATT SUZHOU
Premier Partner
Youxiong Hotel
YOUXIONG HOTEL
Premier Partner

Basic Information

Suzhou is a major city located in southeastern Jiangsu Province of East China, about 100 km (62 mi) northwest of Shanghai. It is a major economic center and focal point of trade and commerce, and the second-largest city in the province, after its capital Nanjing.

Founded in 514 BC, Suzhou has over 2,500 years of history, with an abundant display of relics and sites of historical interest. Around AD 100, during the Eastern Han Dynasty, it became one of the ten largest cities in the world, mostly due to emigration from Northern China. Since the 10th-century Song dynasty, it has been an important commercial center in China.

During the Ming and Qing dynasties, it was a national economic, cultural, and commercial center, as well as the largest non-capital city in the world, until the 1860 Taiping Rebellion. When Li Hongzhang and Charles George Gordon recaptured the city three years later, Shanghai had already taken its predominant place in the nation. Since major economic reforms began in 1978, Suzhou has become one of the fastest-growing major cities in the world, making it one of the most highly developed and prosperous cities in China.

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. The Classical Gardens of Suzhou were added to the list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1997 and 2000. It is often dubbed the “Venice of the East” or “Venice of China.”

Source: Wikipedia