Sightseeing in Suzhou - what to see. Complete travel guide

Suzhou is often called the "Venice of the East" because of the abundance of river channels piercing the city. The first mention of the city dates back to the early 6th century BC. Suzhou received its present name almost a thousand years later, in 589. The city founded on the Grand Canal of China has significantly expanded over the next years. Currently, both sides of the canal are occupied by the historic district of Suzhou full of priceless architectural monuments and cultural centers.

When it comes to cultural features, one of the oldest crafts of the picturesque Chinese city - silk production - should not be ignored. The national craft's developing began during the reign of the Song Dynasty, in the second half of the 10th century. It has been of particular importance for the city for over a thousand years. Like hundreds of years ago, Suzhou is one of the largest silk production centers in the country, and more and more its visitors buy chic textiles as memorable gifts.

One of the main distinctive features of the present-day city is the abundance of beautiful gardens and parks. Its active landscaping and planting began several hundred years ago, during the reign of the Ming dynasty. City officials erected their luxurious estates among beautiful gardens, many buildings have survived to our days. The main symbol of the city has always been the Grand Canal of China, the construction of which began soon after the founding of the first settlement and lasted more than 2,000 years. The unique canal, an abundance of historical sights and beautiful gardens are a small part of Suzhou's attractive features. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Travelers are also attracted by a rich but harmonious rhythm of life typical for the ancient city. Adherents of gastronomic tourism often visit these places just to explore Suzhou's national cuisine, which is strikingly different from the classical Chinese. Not only numerous national restaurants but also the central city market where you can taste and buy a lot of national delicacies are perfectly suited for getting acquainted with it. Here you can find rare seafood and original sweets, which are one of the main distinctive features of national cuisine. Delicious desserts are prepared from rice flour - that's why they taste quite unusual and incredibly attractive. One of the most popular national desserts is Moon Cake, which is often served with different varieties of fragrant Chinese tea.

The city has been a major trade center since ancient times, so fans of shopping will not be disappointed as well. The above-mentioned central city market remains the city's busiest place, it seems that life never freezes here. In addition to fresh products, on the market, you can buy memorable gifts and clothes, the best Chinese teas and local sweets. Visitors to the market successfully combine walks in colorful rows with dining in small charming restaurants. Besides luxury clothes made of the finest silk, no less popular national souvenirs are amazingly skilful Chinese fans, which has been produced here for many centuries Suzhou is a godsend for fans of active pastime: fascinating and informative tours, walks through picturesque places and colorful markets, as well as fun entertainment in its wide diversity.

The vast majority of excursions in Suzhou include visits to gorgeous architectural and religious landmarks of the city and its wonderful gardens. The Humble Administrator's Garden is one of the largest gardens in Suzhou. It covers an area of 4 hectares. The fabulous garden was founded yet at the beginning of the 16th century. During its long history, it was redesigned and expanded a number of times. Nowadays, the Humble Administrator’s Garden is famous for a rich collection of rare plants and an incredibly beautiful design. The garden is also the location of the city’s museum that is open in an attractive historical building. The venue is very interesting to visit as it exhibits a rich collection of historic items and artworks. Besides that, there are a theater and several open-air venues for all kinds of events and celebrations.

When it comes to architectural landmarks of the city, it is important to mention the Beisi Pagoda, the length of which is 76 meters. The exact building year of the pagoda is not clear. First mentions of the attractive building date back to 1150. In the past, it was a part of a large monastery that, unfortunately, has not survived until our days. Not far from the pagoda, there is one more attractive historical building that is now occupied by the Museum of Silk. As it is not hard to guess from the title, this museum is dedicated to one of the national crafts in China – silk weaving.