Suzhou 苏州
Travel photos of Suzhou
Presentation of Suzhou
About a hundred kilometers from Shanghai, near Taihu Lake in Jiangsu Province, lies the charming small town of Suzhou, a booming city of more than 2 million people. It is also called the Venice of the East, because of its many channels, since almost half of the city (42%) is covered with water.The city of Suzhou being the cradle of the Wu civilization, it is so steeped in history and culture. It is also a meeting place for cultivated and talented people. She is now famous for her beauty and is also known for her silk.Its traditional gardens, dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties, are particularly famous throughout China, and are becoming more and more popular around the world. All these gardens represent nature in miniature to reveal the harmony that reigns between the sky and the Men, and carry evocative and poetic names.To date, about sixty gardens are still well preserved, and nine of them are also classified as World Heritage by UNESCO:- The garden of the Humble Administrator (Zhuozheng yuan – 拙政园): of a simple and natural conception, it was placed under the protection of the State as a historical place. It is the largest of the 9 and therefore the most pleasant to visit because the crowd of visitors is more airy. The entrance is ¥ 90.- Garden Liu Yuan (Liu Yuan – 留园): it is a pretty garden which must be visited before 10am because afterwards it becomes difficult to circulate pleasantly there. The entrance is between 45 and 55¥ depending on the season.- The garden of the master of the nets (Wangshi Yuan – 网师园): the entrance is at 40¥- The circular splendor mountain Villa (Huanxiu Shanzhuang – 环秀山庄): the entrance is 15¥- The Garden of the Pavilion of the Waves (Canglang Ting – 沧浪亭): the entrance is between 15 and 20¥ according to the season- Garden of the Lion Forest (Shizi Lin Yuan – 狮子林 园): Entrance is 20¥- Yipu Garden (Yipu – 艺圃): Entrance is 10¥- Garden Ou (Ou Yuan – 藕园): Entrance is 20¥- the garden of retreat and reflection in Tongli (Tuisi Yuan – 退思园).In Suzhou, there are also temples and hills, like Tiger Hill (Huqiu) with 18 scenic spots.You will enjoy strolling through the narrow streets, cross bridges and stroll through the harmonious gardens of this charming city with wonderful landscapes. There is a popular Chinese saying that describes the beauty of the city: “In heaven there is a paradise, on earth there is Suzhou and Hangzhou. “With the growth of tourism in the region, Suzhou has made significant progress in developing its facilities. The city is now accessible by plane, train or bus. In town, the rickshaw is by far the most pleasant means of transport. Buses and taxis can be useful for longer distances.When to go to Suzhou?The climate in Suzhou is relatively temperate. Rain is therefore part of everyday life, but temperatures are mild throughout the year. It is advisable to go there between April and October to make the most of your stay. It is during this period that lotus flowers bloom and nature is the greenest.Where to stay in Suzhou?Staying in a good hotel is the beginning of a successful holiday. Indeed, a good accommodation can make your vacation even more exceptional … like a bad one can spoil a stay.Renowned for its canals, bridges and gardens, Suzhou is full of places to stay. You’ll have something for every budget, from small B & Bs of incomparable charm to large hotels located in the city center, near the main sites to visit, or in the surrounding countryside. That’s why we’ve selected for you the best hotels in Suzhou, combining comfort and quality of services.
