Asia Travel Guide |
嶄猟 |
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 Suzhou |
Suzhou is located in the center of the Yangtze Delta, in the south of Jiangsu Province, with Shanghai to the east, Zhejiang Province to the south, Wuxi City to the west and the Yangtze River to the north. Since 42% area of the city is covered by water, including a vast number of ponds and streams, Suzhou is praised as the 'Oriental Venice'. Taihu Lake, four fifths of which is in the territory of Suzhou, is one of the four largest fresh lakes in China, with East Hill, West Hill and other scenic spots in its vicinity. The city is cut by the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal from north to south. Together with its mild climate, making it an available destination all year round, fertile landscape and abundance of produce, it is no wonder that Suzhou is called 'paradise on earth'.
Built in 514 BC, Suzhou is an ancient city with a 2500 years' history. The unique characteristics of the past are still retained in present-day Suzhou. The double-chessboard layout of Suzhou, with 'the streets and rivers go side by side while the water and land routes run in parallel', are preserved basically intact. Strolling the streets, you can feel the unique lingering charm of this landscape left by its long history. |
| Fact |
| Area Code: |
86-521 |
Time Zone: |
GMT + 08:00 |
Electricity: |
220V, 50HZ |
| Airport: |
Shanghai Pudong Int'l Airport (PVG) |
Distance: |
120 km from the city center |
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Shanghai Hongqiao Int'l Airport (SHA) |
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80 km from the city center |
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| Average Temperature (oF) |
| Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
| 37.58 |
40.10 |
47.30 |
58.10 |
67.10 |
75.02 |
82.76 |
82.22 |
73.94 |
63.68 |
53.42 |
42.44 |
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| Tongli |
Originally named Fushi, Tongli is an age-old but very well preserved water township with a history of more than 1,000 years. Located on the eastern shore of Taihu Lake, just 18 kilometers (11 miles) from Suzhou City, Tongli town is 63 square kilometers (24 square miles) in area and has a population of over 33 thousand. True to its reputation, Tongli is a really wonderful travel destination where you can spend a marvelous holiday or experience traditional Chinese culture.
Tongli is a town with a profound cultural background and achievement. From ancient times, it has been teeming with poets, painters, Confucian scholars and government officials. Their abilities have made great contributions to progress in many areas of the country. Dozens of stone tablets from different periods are preserved in Tongli and many of the streets are named after their official titles. Walking through the alleys of this venerable water town, one cannot fail to appreciate its pristine and intoxicating atmosphere. |
| Opening Hours: |
8:00am - 5:00pm |
Recommended Time for a Visit: |
Half day |
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Distance to Suzhou: |
20 KM |
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Distance to Shanghai: |
80 KM |
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| Tiger Hill |
Tiger Hill, known also as Surging Sea Hill, is a large hillock covering some14100 square metres (over three acres) and is 36 metres (118 feet) in height. Climbing the hill, you will find a number of historical sites some of which can be traced back over 2500 years to the founding of Suzhou. Although the hill is relatively small it has rich history.
There can be little doubt that Tiger Hill is a wonderful sight with its leaning pagoda, waterfalls and landscaped paths. It is hard to believe that the hill was man made to be the burial place of king but this is yet another part of the wonder that is China, a land that will never cease to amaze and enthral the visitor with its heritage. |
| Opening Hours: |
7:30am - 6:00pm |
Recommended Time for a Visit: |
1 Hours |
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Distance to City Center: |
8 KM |
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| Garden of the Master of the Nets |
The Garden of the Master of the Netsis the smallest of the Suzhou residential gardens, yet it is the most impressive because of its use of space which creates the illusion of an area that is much greater than its actual size. Even more than the architectural achievement is the mood of tranquility and harmony that this humble garden embodies.
This exquisite garden was first designed during the Song Dynasty(960 - 1279) as part of a residence that was used until the Taiping Rebellion in the 1860's. It was later restored and became the residence of a government official from whom the garden got its name. It is said that in a moment of frustration with bureaucracy he declared that he would rather be a fisherman than a bureaucrat.
The garden is divided into three sections: a residential section, the central main garden and an inner garden. The main garden has a large pond that is surrounded by pathways and a variety of buildings such as the Ribbon Washing Pavillion, and the Pavillion for the advent of the Moon and Wind. There are many more buildings that are situated so that there is never a sense of crowding, but always of spaciousness. As is common in Suzhou gardens,
the pond has a small pavilion in it. Here the pavilion is accessible by a bridge that is less than one foot wide. |
| Opening Hours: |
8:00am - 5:00pm |
Recommended Time for a Visit: |
1 Hours |
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Distance to City Center: |
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| Humble Administrator's Garden |
The beautiful waterside City of Suzhou in Jiangsu Province in South China is most famous for its elegant classical gardens. Among these, the Humble Administrator's Garden, covering about 52,000 sq. meters (12.85 acres), is the largest and most renowned. Due to its unique designs and ethereal beauty, the garden has garnered many special honors. It is listed as a World Cultural Heritage site and has also been designated as one of the Cultural Relics of National Importance under the Protection of the State as well as a Special Tourist Attraction of China. Along with the Summer Palace in Beijing, the Mountain Resort of Chengde in Hebei Province and the Lingering Garden in Suzhou, it is considered as one of China's four most famous gardens. No other classic garden in the country has been honored more than this one.
The garden consists of Eastern, Central and Western sections as well as some residences of the former owners. The resident houses are typical of the style of Suzhou Local Residences, whose feature can be seen in the famous water township Zhouzhuang not far from Suzhou City. The site of the residences has been rebuilt as the Garden Museum now. |
| Opening Hours: |
8:15am - 5:30pm |
Recommended Time for a Visit: |
2 Hours |
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Distance to City Center: |
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| Hanshan Temple |
| Hanshan Temple situated near Fengqiao Bridge to the west of Suzhou City was first established in the Liang Dynasty. It is said that Han Shan and She De, monks of the Tang Dynasty, used to live here: hence the name Hanshan Temple. The present temple was rebuilt after the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. The poet of the Tang Dynasty Zhang Ji's famous poem "Night Anchoring beside Fengqiao Bridge" refers to this place. In the middle of the temple is the main hall of Buddha. On either side of the hall there is a verandah. The verandah on the right side leads to the bell tower. |
| Opening Hours: |
7:00am - 6:00pm |
Recommended Time for a Visit: |
0.5 Hours |
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Distance to City Center: |
5 KM |
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| Lingering Garden |
Occupying an area of 23,300 square meters (about 5.8 acres), the Lingering Garden is located outside Changmen Gate in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province. Originally a classical private garden, it is one of the four most famous gardens in China. Possessing typical Qing style, it is well-known for the exquisite beauty of its magnificent halls, and the various sizes, shapes, and colors of the buildings. In 1997, the garden was recorded on the list of the world heritage by UESCO. With a history of more than 400 years, the Lingering Garden has changed hands several times. Each owner did his best to perfect the garden. It was first built in 1593 during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644) by a retired official named Xu Tai. During the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911), it was bought by Liu Shu. As a calligraphy lover, he carved masterpieces on both sides of the corridors of the buildings. He had also collected unusually-shaped stones in the garden. The succeeding owners followed his model when doing restoration work. Almost demolished in the 1930s, the garden was repaired sponsored by the government and then opened to the public. |
| Opening Hours: |
7:30am - 17:30 pm |
Recommended Time for a Visit: |
1 Hours |
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Distance to City Center: |
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| Zhouzhuang |
Zhouzhuang, one of the most famous water townships in China, situated in Kunshan City which is only 30 kilometers (18 miles) southeast of Suzhou. It is noted for its profound cultural background, the well preserved ancient residential houses, the elegant watery views and the strong local colored traditions and customs. In the Spring and Autumn Period (770 - 476 BC), Zhouzhuang was a part of the fief Yaocheng and called Zhenfengli. After being donated to Full Fortune (Quanfu) Temple by Zhou Digong, a very devout Buddhist, in 1086 during the Northern Song Dynasty (960 - 1127), Zhouzhuang got its present name as a memorial of the donor.
In an area of half a square kilometer (124 acres), 60 percent of the Zhouzhuang's structures were built during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, which is from 1368 to 1911. Taking the most convenient form of transport in Zhouzhuang, a gondola, we will present some of the breathtaking sights one by one. |
| Opening Hours: |
8:00am - 5:00pm |
Recommended Time for a Visit: |
Half day |
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Distance to Suzhou: |
38 KM |
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Distance to Shanghai: |
70 KM |
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| Panmen Scenic Area |
The Panmen Gate Scenic Area, located by a remaining section of the original city wall, chiefly consists of the Pagoda of Auspicious Light, the Land & Water Gates, and Wumen Bridge, the three historical relics under the state, provincial and municipal protection respectively. Panmen, being one of the eight land and water gates of the Grand City of He Lu built by Wu Zixu in the Spring and Autumn Period and having gone through all the vicissitudes for over 2500 years, is the only well-preserved ancient city gate of Suzhou today.
Prof. Chen Congzhou, a famous classical architect, having ascended the Panmen Gate quite a few times, left his favorable comment that reads: "While there is a magnificent Great Wall in the north, there is the charming Panmen Gate in the south." A unique specimen of its kind, the ancient Panmen Gate has become the symbol of the ancient city of Suzhou, and has twice been selected as the subject matter of China's postage stamp and postcard. |
| Opening Hours: |
7:30am - 5:30pm |
Recommended Time for a Visit: |
0.5 Hours |
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Distance to City Center: |
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| Guan Qian Street |
| This street, located in the central downtown area, is the center of Suzhou commerce, due at least in part to the presence of shops that have been doing business here for many years. The Pine and Crane Restaurant, Cai Zhi Zhai and Huang Tian Yuan are all located here. Others, including Lu Gao Jian, which is noted for its unique meat products, and Sheng Chun Yang, which sells high-quality hams, are also famous in Suzhou. If food is not on your shopping list, you can visit the Heng Fu Silverware Shop, which was founded in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and enjoys an excellent reputation in China. For fashionable clothing, the Golden Eagle Shopping Center, located at No.1 Guan Qian Street, is your best choice. |
| Opening Hours: |
Whole day |
Recommended Time for a Visit: |
1 Hours |
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Distance to City Center: |
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| Night Garden Show |
| Quite different from that at broad daylight, the classical Chinese garden setting provides an atmosphere of peace and claim in the evening. It is relaxing and entertaining to tour the garden with the melodious notes of Chinese music. From mid March to mid November, cultural performances, including local operas, folk songs, folk dance, and Chinese music, will be held every evening in the exquisite pavilions and halls of the Master-of-NetsGarden, the biggest stage, most realistic backdrop and ideal viewing place in which the landscape garden and performing art inextricably mixed. One is unable to tell whether he is in the garden enjoying the performing art of vice versa. Indeed, it is the most wonderful artistic conception. |
| Opening Hours: |
7:30pm - 10:00pm (Mar - Nov) |
Recommended Time for a Visit: |
1 Hours |
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Distance to City Center: |
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