Suzhou
Encyclopedia
Suzhou previously transliterated as Su-chou, Suchow, and Soochow, is a major city located in the southeast of Jiangsu
Province in Eastern China
, located adjacent to Shanghai
Municipality. The city is situated on the lower reaches of the Yangtze River
and on the shores of Taihu Lake and is a part of the Yangtze River Delta
region. Administratively, Suzhou is a prefecture-level city
with an urban population of over 4 million expanding to over 10 million in the administrative area.
Originally founded in 514 BCE, Suzhou has over 2,500 years of rich history, and relics of the past are abundant to this day. The city's canals, stone bridges, pagoda
s, and meticulously designed gardens
have contributed to its status as one of the top tourist attractions in China. Since the Song Dynasty
(960-1279), it has also been an important centre for China's silk
industry. The classical gardens in Suzhou were added to the list of the UNESCO
World Heritage Site
s in 1997 and 2000. Suzhou is often dubbed the "Venice of the East" or "Venice of China".
, is one of the oldest towns in the Yangtze
Basin. 2500 years ago in the late Zhou Dynasty
, local tribes who named themselves Gou Wu (勾吳) lived in the area which would become the modern city of Suzhou. These tribes formed villages on the edges of hills above the wetlands around Lake Tai, their territorial range was centered on Wuxi.
In 514 BC, during the Spring and Autumn Period, King Helu
(闔閭/阖闾) of Wu established "Great City of Helu", the ancient name for Suzhou, as his capital. In 496 BC, Helu was buried in Huqiu (Tiger Hill
虎丘).
In 473 BC Wu was defeated by Yue, a kingdom to the east which was soon annexed by the Chu in 306 BC. The golden era of Suzhou ended with this conquest. Remnants of this culture include remainders of a 2,500 year old city wall and the gate through it at Pan Gate
.
By the time of the Qin Dynasty
, the city was known as Wu County. Xiang Yu
(项羽) staged his historical uprising here in 209 BC, which contributed to the overthrow of Qin.
During the Sui Dynasty
- in 589 AD - the city was renamed Suzhou.
When the Grand Canal
was completed, Suzhou found itself strategically located on a major trade route. In the course of the history of China
, it has been a metropolis of industry
and commerce
on the south-eastern coast of China.
During the Tang Dynasty
(825 AD), the great poet Bai Juyi (白居易) constructed the Shantang Canal (called "Shantang Street" or 山塘街) to connect the city with Huqiu for tourists. In 1035 AD, the temple of Confucius
was founded by famed poet and writer Fan Zhongyan
(范仲淹). It became the venue for imperial civil examinations.
In February 1130, the advancing Jin
army from the north ransacked the city. This was followed by the Mongol invasion (1275).
In 1356, Suzhou became the capital of Zhang Shicheng
, one of the leaders of the Red Turban Rebellion
against the Yuan Dynasty
and the self-proclaimed King of Wu
. In 1367 Zhang's main rival, Nanjing
-based Zhu Yuanzhang took the city after a 10-month siege. Zhu - who was soon to proclaim himself as the first emperor
of the Ming Dynasty
- demolished the royal city (in the centre of Suzhou's walled city), and imposed crushing taxes on the city's and prefecture's powerful families.
Despite the heavy taxation and the resettlement of some of Suzhou's prominent citizens' to the area of Hongwu's capital, Nanjing, Suzhou soon was prosperous again.
When in 1488 the shipwrecked Korean official Choe Bu
had a chance to see much of Eastern China - from Zhejiang to Liaoning - on his way home, he described Suzhou in his travel report as exceeding every other city in China he had seen. Many of the famous private gardens were constructed by the gentry of the Ming
and Qing dynasties. However, the city was to see another disaster in 1860 when Taiping
soldiers advanced on and captured the city. In November 1863 the Ever Victorious Army
of Charles Gordon
recaptured the city from the Taiping forces.
The next crisis that met the city was the Japanese invasion in 1937. Many gardens were devastated by the end of the war. In the early 1950s, restoration was done on gardens such as Zhuo-Zheng Yuan (Humble Administrator's Garden
) and Liu Yuan (Lingering Garden) to bring them back to life.
, Canglang District
, and Jinchang District
. Suzhou Industrial Park
is on the east of the old town, and Suzhou High & New Technology Development Zone is on the west. In 2000, the original Wu County was divided into two districts including Xiangcheng
and Wuzhong
. They now form the northern and southern parts of the city of Suzhou.
Suzhou is one of the most prosperous cities in China. Its development has a direct correlation with the growth of its satellite
cities, including Kunshan
, Taicang
, Changshu
, Wujiang
and Zhangjiagang
, which together with the city of Suzhou form the Suzhou prefecture. The Suzhou prefecture is home to many high-tech enterprises.
Suzhou has jurisdiction over (at county level):
-influenced humid subtropical climate
with hot, humid summers, and cool, cloudy, damp winters with occasional snowfall. Northwesterly winds blowing from Siberia during winter can cause temperatures to fall below freezing at night, while southerly or southwesterly winds during the summer can push temperatures above 35 °C (95 °F).
,_suzhou.jpg)
(Lingering Garden; Chinese: 留园) are among the four most famous classical gardens in China. Canglang Pavilion (Great Wave Pavilion; Chinese: 沧浪亭), Shizi Lin (Lion Grove Garden; Chinese: 狮子林), Zhuozheng Yuan and Liuyuan, respectively representing the garden building style of the Song
, Yuan
, Ming
, and Qing
dynasty, are called the four most famous gardens in Suzhou.
Zhuozheng Yuan, Liu Yuan, Wangshi Yuan (Master of the Nets Garden; Chinese: 网师园) and Huanxiu Mountain Villa(The Mountain Villa with Embracing Beauty; Chinese: 环秀山庄) were added to the list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1997. Shizi Lin, Canglang Pavilion, Ou Yuan (Couple's Retreat Garden; Chinese: 藕园), Yi Pu
(Garden of Cultivation; Chinese: 艺圃) and Tuisi Yuan (The Retreat & Reflection Garden; Chinese: 退思园) were added to the list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2000.
Jiangsu
' is a province of the People's Republic of China, located along the east coast of the country. The name comes from jiang, short for the city of Jiangning , and su, for the city of Suzhou. The abbreviation for this province is "苏" , the second character of its name...
Province in Eastern China
East China
East China is a geographical and a loosely-defined cultural region that covers the eastern coastal area of China.Although an intangible and loosely defined concept, for administrative and governmental purposes, the region is defined by the government of the People's Republic of China to include...
, located adjacent to Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
Municipality. The city is situated on the lower reaches of the Yangtze River
Yangtze River
The Yangtze, Yangzi or Cháng Jiāng is the longest river in Asia, and the third-longest in the world. It flows for from the glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau in Qinghai eastward across southwest, central and eastern China before emptying into the East China Sea at Shanghai. It is also one of the...
and on the shores of Taihu Lake and is a part of the Yangtze River Delta
Yangtze River Delta
The Yangtze River Delta, Yangtze Delta or YRD, also called Yangzi, or Chang Jiang Delta, Rive Chang Delta Tai Lake Region or the Golden Triangle of the Yangtze, generally comprises the triangular-shaped territory of Wu-speaking Shanghai, southern Jiangsu province and northern Zhejiang province of...
region. Administratively, Suzhou is a prefecture-level city
Prefecture-level city
A prefectural level city , prefectural city or prefectural level municipality is an administrative division of the People's Republic of China, ranking below a province and above a county in China's administrative structure. Prefectural level cities form the second level of the administrative...
with an urban population of over 4 million expanding to over 10 million in the administrative area.
Originally founded in 514 BCE, Suzhou has over 2,500 years of rich history, and relics of the past are abundant to this day. The city's canals, stone bridges, pagoda
Pagoda
A pagoda is the general term in the English language for a tiered tower with multiple eaves common in Nepal, India, China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam and other parts of Asia. Some pagodas are used as Taoist houses of worship. Most pagodas were built to have a religious function, most commonly Buddhist,...
s, and meticulously designed gardens
Chinese garden
The Chinese garden, also known as a Chinese classical garden, is a style of landscape garden which has evolved for more than three thousand years, and which is inspired by Chinese literature, Chinese painting and Chinese philosophy...
have contributed to its status as one of the top tourist attractions in China. Since the Song Dynasty
Song Dynasty
The Song Dynasty was a ruling dynasty in China between 960 and 1279; it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, and was followed by the Yuan Dynasty. It was the first government in world history to issue banknotes or paper money, and the first Chinese government to establish a...
(960-1279), it has also been an important centre for China's silk
Silk
Silk is a natural protein fiber, some forms of which can be woven into textiles. The best-known type of silk is obtained from the cocoons of the larvae of the mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori reared in captivity...
industry. The classical gardens in Suzhou were added to the list of the UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
World Heritage Site
World Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
s in 1997 and 2000. Suzhou is often dubbed the "Venice of the East" or "Venice of China".
History
Suzhou, the cradle of Wu cultureWu (region)
Wu is a region in the Jiangnan area , surrounding Suzhou, in Jiangsu province and Zhejiang province of China. It is also the abbreviation of several kingdoms based in Wu. The two largest cities in the Wu region today are Shanghai and Hangzhou...
, is one of the oldest towns in the Yangtze
Yangtze River
The Yangtze, Yangzi or Cháng Jiāng is the longest river in Asia, and the third-longest in the world. It flows for from the glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau in Qinghai eastward across southwest, central and eastern China before emptying into the East China Sea at Shanghai. It is also one of the...
Basin. 2500 years ago in the late Zhou Dynasty
Zhou Dynasty
The Zhou Dynasty was a Chinese dynasty that followed the Shang Dynasty and preceded the Qin Dynasty. Although the Zhou Dynasty lasted longer than any other dynasty in Chinese history, the actual political and military control of China by the Ji family lasted only until 771 BC, a period known as...
, local tribes who named themselves Gou Wu (勾吳) lived in the area which would become the modern city of Suzhou. These tribes formed villages on the edges of hills above the wetlands around Lake Tai, their territorial range was centered on Wuxi.
In 514 BC, during the Spring and Autumn Period, King Helu
King Helü of Wu
King Helü of the state of Wu , a state in ancient China, was initially known as Prince Guang . He reigned towards the end of the Spring and Autumn Period.-Biography:...
(闔閭/阖闾) of Wu established "Great City of Helu", the ancient name for Suzhou, as his capital. In 496 BC, Helu was buried in Huqiu (Tiger Hill
Tiger Hill, Suzhou
Tiger Hill is a hill in Suzhou, in China. It is a popular tourist destination and is known for its natural beauty as well as historical sites. The hill is so named because it is said to look like a crouching tiger. Another legend states that a white tiger appeared on the hill to guard it...
虎丘).
In 473 BC Wu was defeated by Yue, a kingdom to the east which was soon annexed by the Chu in 306 BC. The golden era of Suzhou ended with this conquest. Remnants of this culture include remainders of a 2,500 year old city wall and the gate through it at Pan Gate
Pan Gate
Pan Gate, Pan Men, Panmen or Panmen Gate is a famous historical landmark in Suzhou, China. It is located on the south-west corner of the Main Canal or encircling canal of Suzhou. Originally built during the Warring States Period in the state of Wu, historians estimate it to be around 2,500 years...
.
By the time of the Qin Dynasty
Qin Dynasty
The Qin Dynasty was the first imperial dynasty of China, lasting from 221 to 207 BC. The Qin state derived its name from its heartland of Qin, in modern-day Shaanxi. The strength of the Qin state was greatly increased by the legalist reforms of Shang Yang in the 4th century BC, during the Warring...
, the city was known as Wu County. Xiang Yu
Xiang Yu
Xiang Yu was a prominent military leader and political figure during the late Qin Dynasty. His given name was Ji while his style name was Yu ....
(项羽) staged his historical uprising here in 209 BC, which contributed to the overthrow of Qin.
During the Sui Dynasty
Sui Dynasty
The Sui Dynasty was a powerful, but short-lived Imperial Chinese dynasty. Preceded by the Southern and Northern Dynasties, it ended nearly four centuries of division between rival regimes. It was followed by the Tang Dynasty....
- in 589 AD - the city was renamed Suzhou.
When the Grand Canal
Grand Canal of China
The Grand Canal in China, also known as the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal is the longest canal or artificial river in the world. Starting at Beijing, it passes through Tianjin and the provinces of Hebei, Shandong, Jiangsu and Zhejiang to the city of Hangzhou...
was completed, Suzhou found itself strategically located on a major trade route. In the course of the history of China
History of China
Chinese civilization originated in various regional centers along both the Yellow River and the Yangtze River valleys in the Neolithic era, but the Yellow River is said to be the Cradle of Chinese Civilization. With thousands of years of continuous history, China is one of the world's oldest...
, it has been a metropolis of industry
Industry
Industry refers to the production of an economic good or service within an economy.-Industrial sectors:There are four key industrial economic sectors: the primary sector, largely raw material extraction industries such as mining and farming; the secondary sector, involving refining, construction,...
and commerce
Commerce
While business refers to the value-creating activities of an organization for profit, commerce means the whole system of an economy that constitutes an environment for business. The system includes legal, economic, political, social, cultural, and technological systems that are in operation in any...
on the south-eastern coast of China.
During the Tang Dynasty
Tang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. It was founded by the Li family, who seized power during the decline and collapse of the Sui Empire...
(825 AD), the great poet Bai Juyi (白居易) constructed the Shantang Canal (called "Shantang Street" or 山塘街) to connect the city with Huqiu for tourists. In 1035 AD, the temple of Confucius
Temple of Confucius
A Temple of Confucius or Confucian temple is a temple devoted to the memory of Confucius and the sages and philosophers of Confucianism.- History :...
was founded by famed poet and writer Fan Zhongyan
Fan Zhongyan
Fan Zhongyan , born in Wuxian , Suzhou , was a prominent politician and literary figure in Song dynasty China. He was also a strategist and educator...
(范仲淹). It became the venue for imperial civil examinations.
In February 1130, the advancing Jin
Jin Dynasty, 1115–1234
The Jīn Dynasty ; Khitan language: Nik, Niku; ; 1115–1234), also known as the Jurchen Dynasty, was founded by the Wanyan clan of the Jurchens, the ancestors of the Manchus who established the Qing Dynasty some 500 years later...
army from the north ransacked the city. This was followed by the Mongol invasion (1275).
In 1356, Suzhou became the capital of Zhang Shicheng
Zhang Shicheng
Zhang Shicheng （1321－1367）was one of the leaders of the Red Turban Rebellion in the late Yuan Dynasty China. Later he established the Kingdom of Dazhou with reigning name Tianyou .-Life:...
, one of the leaders of the Red Turban Rebellion
Red Turban Rebellion
The Red Turban Rebellion was an uprising much influenced by the White Lotus Society members that targeted the ruling Yuan Dynasty.- Causes :...
against the Yuan Dynasty
Yuan Dynasty
The Yuan Dynasty , or Great Yuan Empire was a ruling dynasty founded by the Mongol leader Kublai Khan, who ruled most of present-day China, all of modern Mongolia and its surrounding areas, lasting officially from 1271 to 1368. It is considered both as a division of the Mongol Empire and as an...
and the self-proclaimed King of Wu
Wu (region)
Wu is a region in the Jiangnan area , surrounding Suzhou, in Jiangsu province and Zhejiang province of China. It is also the abbreviation of several kingdoms based in Wu. The two largest cities in the Wu region today are Shanghai and Hangzhou...
. In 1367 Zhang's main rival, Nanjing
Nanjing
' is the capital of Jiangsu province in China and has a prominent place in Chinese history and culture, having been the capital of China on several occasions...
-based Zhu Yuanzhang took the city after a 10-month siege. Zhu - who was soon to proclaim himself as the first emperor
Hongwu Emperor
The Hongwu Emperor , known variably by his given name Zhu Yuanzhang and by his temple name Taizu of Ming , was the founder and first emperor of the Ming Dynasty of China...
of the Ming Dynasty
Ming Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
- demolished the royal city (in the centre of Suzhou's walled city), and imposed crushing taxes on the city's and prefecture's powerful families.
Despite the heavy taxation and the resettlement of some of Suzhou's prominent citizens' to the area of Hongwu's capital, Nanjing, Suzhou soon was prosperous again.
When in 1488 the shipwrecked Korean official Choe Bu
Choe Bu
Choe Bu was a Korean official during the early Joseon Dynasty . He is most well known for the account of his shipwrecked travels in China from February to July 1488, during the Ming Dynasty . He was eventually banished from the Joseon court in 1498 and executed in 1504 during two political purges...
had a chance to see much of Eastern China - from Zhejiang to Liaoning - on his way home, he described Suzhou in his travel report as exceeding every other city in China he had seen. Many of the famous private gardens were constructed by the gentry of the Ming
Ming Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
and Qing dynasties. However, the city was to see another disaster in 1860 when Taiping
Taiping Rebellion
The Taiping Rebellion was a widespread civil war in southern China from 1850 to 1864, led by heterodox Christian convert Hong Xiuquan, who, having received visions, maintained that he was the younger brother of Jesus Christ, against the ruling Manchu-led Qing Dynasty...
soldiers advanced on and captured the city. In November 1863 the Ever Victorious Army
Ever Victorious Army
The Ever Victorious Army was the name given to an imperial army in late-19th–century China. The Ever Victorious Army fought for the Qing Dynasty against the rebels of the Nien and Taiping Rebellions....
of Charles Gordon
Charles George Gordon
Major-General Charles George Gordon, CB , known as "Chinese" Gordon, Gordon Pasha, and Gordon of Khartoum, was a British army officer and administrator....
recaptured the city from the Taiping forces.
The next crisis that met the city was the Japanese invasion in 1937. Many gardens were devastated by the end of the war. In the early 1950s, restoration was done on gardens such as Zhuo-Zheng Yuan (Humble Administrator's Garden
Humble Administrator's Garden
The Humble Administrator's Garden is a renowned Chinese garden in Suzhou. At 51,950 m2, it is the largest garden in Suzhou and is generally considered to be the finest garden in all of southern China...
) and Liu Yuan (Lingering Garden) to bring them back to life.
Administrative divisions
The urban core of Suzhou is informally called Old Town Suzhou. It is divided among Pingjiang DistrictPingjiang District
Pingjiang District is a district of Suzhou in Jiangsu Province. The district has an area of 25 km² and as of 2001 the population was around 180,000....
, Canglang District
Canglang District
Canglang District is a district of Suzhou in Jiangsu Province. The district has an area of 30 km² and as of 2001 the population was around 310,000....
, and Jinchang District
Jinchang District
Jinchang District is a district of Suzhou in Jiangsu Province. The district has an area of 35.7 km² and as of 2001 the population was around 250,000....
. Suzhou Industrial Park
Suzhou Industrial Park
The China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park is an industrial park built in Suzhou, China with significant Singaporean input. In the late 1990s, the heavy losses incurred by the park caused a minor scandal in Singapore.-Background:...
is on the east of the old town, and Suzhou High & New Technology Development Zone is on the west. In 2000, the original Wu County was divided into two districts including Xiangcheng
Xiangcheng District, Suzhou
Xiangcheng District is a district of Suzhou. It has a land area of 478 km² and a population of 380,000 as of 2001.-External links:...
and Wuzhong
Wuzhong District
Wuzhong District is a district of Suzhou. It has a land area of 770 km² and a population of 590,000 as of 2001.-External links:...
. They now form the northern and southern parts of the city of Suzhou.
Suzhou is one of the most prosperous cities in China. Its development has a direct correlation with the growth of its satellite
Satellite
In the context of spaceflight, a satellite is an object which has been placed into orbit by human endeavour. Such objects are sometimes called artificial satellites to distinguish them from natural satellites such as the Moon....
cities, including Kunshan
Kunshan
Kunshan is a satellite city in the greater Suzhou region. Administratively, it is a county-level city within the prefecture-level city of Suzhou. It is located in southeastearn part of Jiangsu Province, China, adjacent to Jiangsu's border with the Shanghai Municipality.The total area of Kunshan...
, Taicang
Taicang
Taicang is a coastal city in Jiangsu Province of People's Republic of China. It is approximately to the northwest of Shanghai, and to the east of Suzhou. It is a county level city under jurisdiction of Suzhou prefecture level city. In 2008, the registered population was at 466,300, and total GDP...
, Changshu
Changshu
Changshu is a county-level city under the jurisdiction of Suzhou, and is located in the south-eastern part of eastern-China’s Jiangsu Province as well as the Yangtze River Delta...
, Wujiang
Wujiang, Jiangsu
Wujiang is a county-level city in the southernmost of Jiangsu province, South East China. The total area of Wujiang is 1,176 square kilometers, with a population of 1.5 million.-Geography:...
and Zhangjiagang
Zhangjiagang
Zhangjiagang is a county-level city in Jiangsu province, China, and is an administrative division of Suzhou City. Zhangjiagang's population is around 1,300,000, with around 2000000residents of the city proper ....
, which together with the city of Suzhou form the Suzhou prefecture. The Suzhou prefecture is home to many high-tech enterprises.
Suzhou has jurisdiction over (at county level):
- Districts:
- Canglang DistrictCanglang DistrictCanglang District is a district of Suzhou in Jiangsu Province. The district has an area of 30 km² and as of 2001 the population was around 310,000....
(沧浪) - Jinchang DistrictJinchang DistrictJinchang District is a district of Suzhou in Jiangsu Province. The district has an area of 35.7 km² and as of 2001 the population was around 250,000....
(金阊) - Pingjiang DistrictPingjiang DistrictPingjiang District is a district of Suzhou in Jiangsu Province. The district has an area of 25 km² and as of 2001 the population was around 180,000....
(平江) - Suzhou Industrial ParkSuzhou Industrial ParkThe China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park is an industrial park built in Suzhou, China with significant Singaporean input. In the late 1990s, the heavy losses incurred by the park caused a minor scandal in Singapore.-Background:...
(工业园区) - Suzhou High & New Technology Development ZoneSuzhou New DistrictThe Suzhou New District is one of the specially designated regions for technological and industrial development in China. The district covers an area of 52 km2 and is located 5 km west of Suzhou, in the Jiangsu province....
(高新区) - Xiangcheng DistrictXiangcheng District, SuzhouXiangcheng District is a district of Suzhou. It has a land area of 478 km² and a population of 380,000 as of 2001.-External links:...
(相城) - Wuzhong DistrictWuzhong DistrictWuzhong District is a district of Suzhou. It has a land area of 770 km² and a population of 590,000 as of 2001.-External links:...
(吴中)
- Canglang District
- County-level citiesCounty-level cityA county-level city is a county-level administrative division of mainland China. County-level cities are usually governed by prefecture-level divisions, but a few are governed directly by province-level divisions....
:- ChangshuChangshuChangshu is a county-level city under the jurisdiction of Suzhou, and is located in the south-eastern part of eastern-China’s Jiangsu Province as well as the Yangtze River Delta...
(常熟) - TaicangTaicangTaicang is a coastal city in Jiangsu Province of People's Republic of China. It is approximately to the northwest of Shanghai, and to the east of Suzhou. It is a county level city under jurisdiction of Suzhou prefecture level city. In 2008, the registered population was at 466,300, and total GDP...
(太仓) - KunshanKunshanKunshan is a satellite city in the greater Suzhou region. Administratively, it is a county-level city within the prefecture-level city of Suzhou. It is located in southeastearn part of Jiangsu Province, China, adjacent to Jiangsu's border with the Shanghai Municipality.The total area of Kunshan...
(昆山) - WujiangWujiang, JiangsuWujiang is a county-level city in the southernmost of Jiangsu province, South East China. The total area of Wujiang is 1,176 square kilometers, with a population of 1.5 million.-Geography:...
(吴江) - ZhangjiagangZhangjiagangZhangjiagang is a county-level city in Jiangsu province, China, and is an administrative division of Suzhou City. Zhangjiagang's population is around 1,300,000, with around 2000000residents of the city proper ....
(张家港)Districts Area(km²) Population Canglang 25 394 958 Jinchang 37 290 811 Pingjiang 22 268 686 Suzhou Industrial Park 288 695 246 Suzhou New District 258 572 313 Xiangcheng District 416 693 576 Wuzhong District 672 1158410
- Changshu
| County-level city | Area(km²) | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Changshu | 1263 | 1510103 |
| Taicang | 649 | 712069 |
| Kunshan | 928 | 1646318 |
| Wujiang | 1192 | 1275090 |
| Zhangjiagang | 813 | 1248414 |
Geography
Suzhou is located on the Taihu Lake Plain, about 100 kilometres (62 mi) to the west of Shanghai, and more than double that east of Nanjing.Climate
Suzhou has a four-season, monsoonMonsoon
Monsoon is traditionally defined as a seasonal reversing wind accompanied by corresponding changes in precipitation, but is now used to describe seasonal changes in atmospheric circulation and precipitation associated with the asymmetric heating of land and sea...
-influenced humid subtropical climate
Humid subtropical climate
A humid subtropical climate is a climate zone characterized by hot, humid summers and mild to cool winters...
with hot, humid summers, and cool, cloudy, damp winters with occasional snowfall. Northwesterly winds blowing from Siberia during winter can cause temperatures to fall below freezing at night, while southerly or southwesterly winds during the summer can push temperatures above 35 °C (95 °F).
Landmarks
Gardens
Suzhou is famous for its classical gardens. Zhuozheng Yuan (Humble Administrator's Garden; Chinese: 拙政园) and LiuyuanLingering Garden
Lingering Garden is a renowned classical Chinese garden. It is located at 338 Liuyuan Rd. Suzhou, Jiangsu province, China . It is recognized with other classical Suzhou gardens as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 1997, the garden, along with other classical gardens in Suzhou, was recorded by...
(Lingering Garden; Chinese: 留园) are among the four most famous classical gardens in China. Canglang Pavilion (Great Wave Pavilion; Chinese: 沧浪亭), Shizi Lin (Lion Grove Garden; Chinese: 狮子林), Zhuozheng Yuan and Liuyuan, respectively representing the garden building style of the Song
Song Dynasty
The Song Dynasty was a ruling dynasty in China between 960 and 1279; it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, and was followed by the Yuan Dynasty. It was the first government in world history to issue banknotes or paper money, and the first Chinese government to establish a...
, Yuan
Yuan Dynasty
The Yuan Dynasty , or Great Yuan Empire was a ruling dynasty founded by the Mongol leader Kublai Khan, who ruled most of present-day China, all of modern Mongolia and its surrounding areas, lasting officially from 1271 to 1368. It is considered both as a division of the Mongol Empire and as an...
, Ming
Ming Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
, and Qing
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
dynasty, are called the four most famous gardens in Suzhou.
Zhuozheng Yuan, Liu Yuan, Wangshi Yuan (Master of the Nets Garden; Chinese: 网师园) and Huanxiu Mountain Villa(The Mountain Villa with Embracing Beauty; Chinese: 环秀山庄) were added to the list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1997. Shizi Lin, Canglang Pavilion, Ou Yuan (Couple's Retreat Garden; Chinese: 藕园), Yi Pu
Garden of Cultivation
The Garden of Cultivation located at No.5 Wenya Nong in Suzhou city, of Jiangsu Province, China. It is one of the best preserved examples of a Ming Dynasty classical garden in Suzhou...
(Garden of Cultivation; Chinese: 艺圃) and Tuisi Yuan (The Retreat & Reflection Garden; Chinese: 退思园) were added to the list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2000.