Suzhou is home to some of the best preserved and restored historical and cultural attractions in southern China. Two popular scenic sites areTiger Hill , with its elegant pagoda and historic Sword Pond, and Lion Grove , famed for its rockeries. There are also plenty of attractive modern parks where Suzhou's citizens, young and old, go to relax.

The city's is famed for its lovely classical gardens, originally laid out by private individuals centuries ago, and now preserved as public scenic attractions and cultural treasures. The Garden of the Master of Nets  is the smallest of them but is generally agreed to be the finest. The Humble Administrator's Garden  covers five hectares and is a wonderful example of Chinese landscape gardening, with a small museum in the grounds devoted to this subject. The poetically named Lingering Garden  could also be called the "garden that makes you want to linger", and is admired for its clever use of space and partitioning. Connoisseurs of the art of the Chinese garden often point to the Blue Wave Pavilion  as a fine achievement.

The city's temples are a big draw for tourists, and some of the most important are the Hanshan Temple , about 6 km outside the city, and the Taoist  Temple of Mystery . Visitors who like Suzhou's canals and bridges will love Zhouzhuang , a nearby township famed for the beauty and authenticity of its traditional houses, bridges and waterways. Much of Suzhou's culture and history is on display at the city's many museums. Of note are the Suzhou Silk Museum , Suzhou Museum  and the Suzhou Traditional Opera Museum . The Silk Museum chronicles the evolution of the silk trade in China, and the important role that silk had in the development of the city. The Suzhou Museum has a collection of artifacts from around the country, and is a good place to stop if opportunities for travel in the rest of China are limited. The Opera Museum has an interesting collection of traditional instruments and costumes used in the traditional art form that was developed in Suzhou. The Suzhou Museum of Folk Customs  is also an interesting place, highlighting the important festivals and aspects of daily life that define Suzhou and the Jiangsu region.

If time is a factor, or you want someone else to do the organizing, sign up for one of the many day tours of the Suzhou region.

Warning：The use of any news and articles published on eChinacities.com without written permission from eChinacities.com constitutes copyright infringement, and legal action can be taken.