Suzhou is located in southern Jiangsu Province, nestled in the heart of the Yangtze River Delta. It borders Shanghai to the east, Zhejiang Province to the south, Wuxi City to the west, and is bordered by the Yangtze River to the north. The Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal runs north-south through Suzhou. With water covering 42% of its area and numerous ponds and streams, it is hailed as the “Venice of the East.” Founded in 514 BC, Suzhou is an ancient city with over 2,500 years of history and abundant historical sites. The ancient city’s charm endures to this day. Its dual grid layout, where streets and canals run parallel, remains perfectly preserved. With its pleasant climate, Suzhou is a desirable tourist destination year-round. Whether exploring the picturesque water towns nearby or strolling through the exquisite classical gardens in the city center, you’ll experience the allure of this “paradise on earth.” As the saying goes: “Among the gardens of Jiangnan, Suzhou’s are the finest.” Suzhou’s gardens are celebrated not only for their sheer number but also for their enchanting natural scenery and harmonious architectural design. Today, over 60 well-preserved gardens remain within Suzhou’s city limits, some of which have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.