Suzhou, an ancient cultural city built 2,500 years ago, is known as 'the Venice of the East'. The old town is built around a network of canal streets, criss-crossed by 300 bridges (of the 6,000 recorded by Marco Polo). Many private gardens built by scholars, poets and cultured Mandarins since the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279) give the city its reputation for classical gardens.

Zhouzhuang

Established in 1086 in the Northern Song Dynasty (960–1126) Zhouzhuang is set in charming surroundings with simple ancient buildings and beautiful rivers and lakes. Over half of the buildings in the town were constructed in the Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1911) dynasties.

Zhouzhuang

The Humble Administrator's Garden

It was built during 1506 and 1512 in the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) and covers an area of 4.8 hectares, three quarters of which are water. It is regarded as one of the four major gardens in China along with the Summer Palace in Beijing, the Mountain Summer Resort in Chengdu and the Garden to Linger In in Suzhou.

The Humble Administrator's Garden

Grand Canal

The ancient Grand Canal, 1,700 km in length, is a wonder of the ancient Chinese civilisation, with a history of 2,400 years. The canal starts from Beijing and ends at Hangzhou.

The Garden to Linger In

It was built during the reign of Emperor Jia Jing (1522 - 1566) and has the reputation as one of the four major gardens in China. The Garden to Linger In is beautifully arranged and elegant.

Fisherman Garden

Fisherman Garden was rebuilt in the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911). It covers a total area of 0.54 hectares, is the smallest garden in Suzhou - one-tenth the size of Humble Administrator's Garden.

Pan Gate

Pan Gate is an ancient city gate with land and water entrances. The gate with land and water was a typical style in ancient China. Pan Gate is the only one left.

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