苏州是中国历史文化名城和重要的风景旅游城市，是长江三角洲重要的中心城市之一。苏州位于江苏省南部，东临上海，南接浙江，西抱太湖，北依长江，属亚热带季风海洋性气候，四季分明，气候温和，雨量充沛；苏州地势低平，水网密布，土地肥沃，物产丰富，是闻名遐尔的鱼米之乡、丝绸之府，素有“人间天堂”之美誉。

苏州城始建于公元前514年，距今已有2500多年的历史，是全国24个历史文化名城之一；享有“小桥流水、粉墙黛瓦、史迹名园”的独特风貌；占地面积1650平方公里的苏州城内，至今还保存完好的古典园林达60余处，其中拙政园、留园、网师园等9座园林已被列入世界文化遗产名录。

悠久的历史，孕育了独具魅力的吴文化。千百年来，苏州人文荟萃。苏州的绘画、书法、篆刻流派纷呈，各有千秋；戏曲、医学、建筑自成流派，独树一帜。苏州的刺绣、桃花坞木刻等工艺品闻名中外。

Suzhou is located in southern Jiangsu Province in the center of the Yangtze Delta. Shanghai lies to the east, Zhejiang Province to the south, Wuxi City to the west and the Yangtze River to the north. The city is divided by the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal from north to south. Since 42% area of the city is covered by water, including a vast number of ponds and streams, it is praised as the 'Venice of the Orient'. Built in 514 BC, this is an ancient city with over 2,500 years of history and numerous points of interest. The unique characteristics of the past are still retained today. The double-chessboard layout of the city, with 'the streets and rivers going side by side while the water and land routes running in parallel', is preserved intact.

The mild climate makes the city a desirable destination all year round. Touring the wonderful ancient water towns in the vicinity or lingering in the exquisite classical gardens in the downtown area, you will truly know the charm of a 'paradise on earth'. As the saying goes - 'Gardens to the south of the Yangtze River are the best in the world, and Suzhou gardens are the best among them'. These gardens attain their high reputation not only for their vast numbers, but also for their charming natural beauty and harmonious construction. At present more than 60 gardens are kept intact in the city, and some of them have been listed in the World Heritage List.

For more information about Suzhou, please refer to: https://www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/suzhou.htm