Suzhou
From ChinaTravelGuide
East China (华东) » Jiangsu (江苏) » Suzhou (苏州)
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[edit] Overview
The first thing to come to mind when someone says Suzhou is its gardens. Indeed, Suzhou is famed for its beautiful gardens and traditional waterside architecture (苏州园林).
The most well-known gardens are Humble Administrator's Garden (拙政园) of Ming Dynasty style, Lion Grove Garden (狮子林) of Qing Dynasty style, Canglang Pavilion (沧浪亭) (Surging Wave Pavilion) of Song Dynasty style, and Lingering Garden (留园) of Yuan Dynasty style. Other notable ones are Wangshi (Master of Nets) Garden (网师园), Yipu Garden (Garden of Cultivation) (艺圃园), Huanxiu (Embracing Beauty) Mountain Villa (环秀山庄), Ouyuan (Couple's Garden Retreat) Garden (耦园).
Suzhou is also popularly known as the 'Venice of the East' because of its network of ancient bridges and canals. Today Suzhou is an important center for China's silk industry, and one of the most prosperous cities for its other modern industries such as papermaking, iron and steel, chemicals, cotton textiles, electronic goods, and telecommunications equipment.
Although Suzhou does not have its own airport, it can be easily reached from Shanghai (about 1 hr) or Nanjing (about 2.5 hrs) through airport shuttle buses or through many tourist buses.
[edit] History
The written history of Suzhou traces back over 4000 years. During the Shang dynasty it was home to the "Gou Wu" people; in the Spring and Autumn Period, King Helu choose the city as his capital and named it the Great City of Helu. In 539 AD, the city was renamed Suzhou.
When the Grand Canal was completed, Suzhou found itself strategically located on a major trade route. As a result, the city has long an important city for industry and commerce on the southeastern coast of China.
Suzhou has been home to many renowned poets, artists, statesmen, thinkers and scientists such as Sun Wu, Fan Zhongyan, Shen Kuo, Tang Yin and Gu Yanwu.
[edit] Video
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[edit] Weather
Current Conditions (2008-12-02 14:00:00, local time)
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Suzhou |
Temp: 59°F (15°C) |
Suzhou Weather Forecast
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| Weather averages for Suzhou | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Average high °C (°F) | 8 (46) | 10 (50) | 13 (55) | 20 (68) | 24 (75) | 28 (82) | 32 (90) | 31 (88) | 28 (82) | 22 (72) | 17 (63) | 11 (52) | |
| Average low °C (°F) | 2 (36) | 4 (39) | 7 (45) | 12 (54) | 17 (63) | 22 (72) | 26 (79) | 26 (79) | 22 (72) | 17 (63) | 11 (52) | 5 (41) | |
| Rain cm (inches) | 7.75 (3.1) | 5.06 (2) | 9.43 (3.7) | 7.17 (2.8) | 9.33 (3.7) | 19.62 (7.7) | 11.66 (4.6) | 22.46 (8.8) | 7.07 (2.8) | 5.86 (2.3) | 4.91 (1.9) | 4.85 (1.9) | |
| Source: per MSN 2008 | |||||||||||||
[edit] Map
Click here to open Suzhou map.
[edit] Getting in & Getting out
[edit] By Air
[edit] By Train
[edit] By Bus
[edit] By Ship
[edit] Getting Around
[edit] By Public Bus
[edit] By Tour Bus
[edit] By Metro
[edit] By Taxi & Rental Car
[edit] Attractions
[edit] Hotels
[edit] Budget
[edit] Mid Range
[edit] Luxury
- 100 Happy Hotel
- Bambo Grove Hotel
- Castle Hotel
- China Garden Hotel
- Citadines Suzhou Xinghai
- Gloria Plaza Hotel Suzhou
- Gold Bridge Hotel
- Holiday Inn Jasmine Suzhou
- Huiyuan Hotel
- Jin Cheng Jin Jiang International Hotel
