CHINA - Destinations & Hotels
Suzhou (and the water villages)
Suzhou, just an hour train ride from Shanghai, is located in the centre of the Yangtze Delta. Suzhou is often referred to as the 'Oriental Venice' due to the fact that over 40% of the area of the city is made up of water – including Taihu Lake, one of the largest freshwater lakes in China! The city is divided by the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal from north to south.
Together with its mild climate, fertile landscape and abundance of produce, it is no wonder that Suzhou is ever popular with both local Chinese and overseas tourists. But more than this, the main reason people flock to the city is for its famed water gardens - including the Humble Administrator's Garden, the Lingering Garden, and the Garden of Master of Nets which are now UNESCO World Heritage listed.
The gardens and the pretty surrounding towns of Zhouzhuang, Mudu and Tongli can get very busy in high season – so we generally plan very early starts to help you avoid the crowds and appreciate this picturesque party of the country in relative serenity.
