—— A timeless journey through the poetic heart of Jiangnan
If you dream of discovering the quiet elegance and refined beauty of the East, Suzhou is one stop on your China travel journey you simply cannot miss. Often called “Heaven on Earth,” this ancient city blends the grace of its classical gardens, tranquil canals, and cobbled streets with modern art and architecture.
From I. M. Pei’s architectural masterpiece to centuries-old temples and gardens, every corner of Suzhou tells a story — one written in water, stone, and poetry. Here are five must-see attractions that capture the soul of this enchanting city.
No.1 Suzhou Museum – I. M. Pei’s Masterpiece of Light and Shadow

Designed by the legendary Chinese-American architect I. M. Pei, the Suzhou Museum is a stunning dialogue between tradition and modernity. This was Pei’s final architectural work before retirement — a serene farewell to his ancestral homeland.

Whitewashed walls, black-tiled roofs, and geometric skylights create a mesmerizing play of light, water, and reflection — like walking through a three-dimensional Chinese ink painting. Inside, the museum houses national treasures spanning over 2,500 years, including:
1 The Pearl Relic Pagoda (Northern Song Dynasty): a 122cm nanmu wood pagoda adorned with 40,000 pearls and golden Buddhist carvings.
2 The Secret-Color Celadon Bowl (Five Dynasties Period): renowned as the “Crown Jewel of Yue ware,” its jade-like glaze glows under natural light.
3 Painted Wooden Box of the Four Heavenly Kings (Northern Song): vivid mineral colors that have miraculously survived a millennium.
Travel tip: Arrive early morning for soft natural light and fewer crowds. The museum is right next to the Humble Administrator’s Garden, so you can visit both in one trip.
No.2 The Humble Administrator’s Garden – The Mother of All Chinese Gardens

The Humble Administrator’s Garden (Zhuo Zheng Yuan) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of China’s four greatest classical gardens. Built during the Ming Dynasty, it represents the pinnacle of Chinese garden design — where architecture, water, plants, and poetry coexist in perfect balance.

The garden is divided into eastern, central, and western sections, each revealing a new world of serenity. Lotus ponds bloom in summer, maple leaves glow in autumn, and every pavilion tells a story of its former scholars and poets.
Don’t miss these highlights:
1 Far-Fragrance Pavilion (Yuan Xiang Tang): surrounded by lotus ponds — best in July.
2 The Hall of 36 Pairs of Mandarin Ducks: famous for its antique blue glass windows and incredible acoustic design.
3 Little Flying Rainbow Bridge: a rare covered red bridge reflected in still water.
4 Lan Xue Hall: a tranquil space once used for poetry recitals and winter tea gatherings.
No.3 Lingering Garden – A Living Ink Painting

Recognized as another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Lingering Garden (Liu Yuan) dates back to the late Ming era and is celebrated for its winding corridors, exquisite rockeries, and poetic symmetry.

Every step here is a visual poem — “a new view with every turn.” Over 700 meters of corridors connect courtyards, pavilions, and framed landscape scenes through delicate lattice windows. This garden feels alive, breathing through its shadows, reflections, and whispers of water.
Three unmissable treasures:
1 Crown Cloud Peak (Guan Yun Feng): a majestic Taihu rock reaching 6.5 meters high.
2 Nanmu Hall: the largest all-nanmu (sandalwood) structure in the Jiangnan region.
3 Fossilized Fish Stone: a 140-million-year-old fossil — small yet unforgettable.
No.4 Lion Grove Garden – A Labyrinth of Stone and Spirit


Imagine a maze built entirely of ancient Taihu rocks — that’s the Lion Grove Garden (Shizi Lin). With over 500 stone “lions,” twisting caves, and narrow tunnels, it’s a playful yet meditative space loved by emperors and monks alike.The Qianlong Emperor visited six times, once getting lost in the rock maze for two hours — and delighted by it! It’s both a puzzle and a poem — a place where imagination roams freely among stone waves.
What to see:
1 The Rock Maze: nine paths, 21 caves — the ultimate “Inception-style” experience.
2 Nine Lions Peak: legend says only those with “imperial destiny” can spot all nine lion shapes hidden in the rocks.
3 True Delight Pavilion: adorned with Qianlong’s personal calligraphy “Zhen Qu,” symbolizing pure joy.
No.5 Guanqian Street – The Heartbeat of Old Suzhou

Step into Guanqian Street, Suzhou’s oldest and liveliest commercial avenue, where history, culture, and local flavor blend effortlessly. Once a Taoist temple complex, it’s now the city’s main pedestrian street — lined with traditional teahouses, time-honored bakeries, and silk shops.

Don’t miss:
1 Xuanmiao Temple: the spiritual heart of the area, featuring Song Dynasty architecture and an aura of quiet reverence.
2 Daoxiang Village Pastries: a 200-year-old bakery famous for Suzhou-style mooncakes and sweet red bean cakes.
3 Caizhizhai Confectionery: traditional handmade candies and preserved fruits — the taste of childhood for many locals.

For food lovers, this is paradise:
1 Yaba Shengjian: golden pan-fried buns bursting with juicy broth.
2 Lüyang Wontons: delicate, paper-thin wrappers and fresh fillings.
3 Songhelou Restaurant: a must-try for Suzhou cuisine, serving classics like sweet-and-sour mandarin fish and braised eel with scallion oil.
Tip: Come in the evening to feel the old city’s warm glow — lanterns, laughter, and music fill the night air.
In Suzhou, life unfolds like a watercolor scroll — tranquil yet alive with quiet grace. You’ll hear the echo of ancient poetry along cobblestone paths, smell osmanthus blossoms in the air, and taste the sweetness of time itself.
Whether you’re from New York, Paris, or Sydney, you’ll soon understand an old Chinese saying:“In heaven there is paradise, on earth there is Suzhou and Hangzhou.”Welcome to your very own piece of earthly paradise.












Juyongguan is a famous gate along the Great Wall. It is known as one of the three major gates of the Great Wall. It is built along the mountain and is very steep. On the tower of Juyongguan, there is a plaque of “天下第一雄关”, where people like to take photo. Moreover, the mountains are beautiful and the trees are layered on top of each other. The “Juyong Pinnacle” is also the famous scenery around the capital.
After purchasing tickets at the gate of Guancheng, you can enter the scenic spot. There are many cultural attractions in the scenic spot, which enshrine ancient celebrities and record the history of Juyongguan. There is also a small lake next to it, you can visit one by one. At the same time, you can admire the tall and majestic towers underneath the south and north gates of the scenic spot.
Located on the south bank of the picturesque Songhua River, the terminal square of Central Street, Daoli District, Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province, Harbin Flood Control Memorial Tower was built in 1958 to commemorate the people of Harbin overcoming the great flood in 1957. It is a symbol of this heroic city. It was co-designed by former Soviet designer Bagis Zierev and Harbin Institute of Technology second-generation architect Lee Kuan Yew. The Harbin People’s Flood Control Victory Memorial Tower won the highest honor in the Chinese construction industry.
The full name of the flood control memorial tower is Harbin People’s Flood Control Victory Memorial Tower. The memorial tower consists of a three-dimensional tower body and an attached corridor. The tower is 22.5 meters high. The tower base is made of blocks, which means that the embankment is firm and indestructible. The fountain in front of the tower base, symbolizing the brave and wisdom of the people of Harbin City, are taming the stormy river water into a long stream, benefiting benefits and eliminating troubles, and benefiting the people. The lower level of the tower represents the altitude of 119.72 meters, marking the highest water level when the flood in Harbin was submerged in 1932; the upper level represents the altitude of 120.30 meters, marking the highest water level when the people of the city defeated the flood in 1957. The memorial tower is a cylinder, and the tower body depicts the vivid plot of the victory over the flood in relief. On the top of the tower is a round sculpture of workers, peasants, soldiers and intellectuals, showing the heroic image of defeating the flood. Behind the tower is an ancient Roman-style cloister, which is surrounded by 20 columns, blending with the memorial tower into a scene, to be harmonious and spectacular. This is a tourist attraction worth sightseeing in Harbin.
Xishuangbanna Virgin Forest Park, located to the east of Jinghong and north of Lancang River, 8 kilometers away from the seat of the state capital, is the virgin forest closest to Jinghong City in Quanzhou. The park is built on the basis of 25,000 acres of tropical valley rainforest. The forest coverage rate in the park exceeds 98%. It is a natural oxygen bar. There are gully rain forests, flying peacock, folk songs and dances, delicious food, water splashing carnival and other projects in the park. It is one of the largest comprehensive ecological tourist attractions in Xishuangbanna. The concept of fashionable life with nature, ecology, environmental protection, leisure, health, etc. as the main elements is embodied through the ethnic folk culture season in winter, the peacock culture season in spring, the rainforest culture season in summer and the ethnic costume season in autumn.
In Xishuangbanna, it is not uncommon to be close to animals. It is easy to appreciate the peacocks on the screen and greet the guests and see monkeys playing with people. When you come here, you will be able to fully feel the harmony between man and nature, and between man and animal. In general, Xishuangbanna Virgin Forest Park is famous for its magical tropical rainforest natural landscape and ethnic customs. You can enjoy the air of the natural oxygen bar, see the beauty of the tropical rainforest, and experience minority folk-custom. It is very worth a visit.
Super Brand Mall is located in the Lujiazui Financial Center by the Huangpu River, adjacent to popular attractions such as the Oriental Pearl Tower, Jinmao Tower, and the World Financial Center. The high-rise buildings of Lujiazui Financial Center can be clearly seen on the skybridge outside the square. It is a good place for photography.
The location of Super Brand Mall is very superior and the transportation is convenient. At Lujiazui Station of Metro Line 2, walk out of the metro station and walk up to the raised bridge, which is connecting all directions, with signs on every side. You can reach Super Brand Mall directly. Super Brand Mall is near the Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Ocean Aquarium and other attractions. From the bridge to the Super Brand Mall for shopping, the shopping environment of the entire mall is very good, clean, bright and distinct. You can buy some imported food in the supermarket on the basement level. There are a lot of imported foods here, and they are cheap. There are popular shops such as HM, Gap and CA on the first floor, and there are usually discounts. There are several restaurants on the 8th floor that you can also try.
World-famous chef Jean Georges copied the restaurant of the same name he opened in Manhattan, New York to the Bund in Shanghai, and this is the Jean Georges Restaurant. French cuisine is not only tasteful, but also looks like a work of art. The decoration of Jean Georges restaurant is mainly in light and bright colors, with white as the base tone, with light orange flowers and yellow warm lights, showing a sophisticated modern restaurant, creating a unique romance and elegance. You can enjoy the beauty of the Pujiang River by the window here.
Since its opening in 2004, Jean Georges French Restaurant has become a model of contemporary high-end dining in Shanghai with its innovative dishes, rich collection of wines and attentive service, and has welcomed countless gluttonous diners. The restaurant was fully renovated at the end of 2015 and reopened in April 2016. The renewed Jean-Georges includes a main dining area, 3 private rooms, a bar, and two open kitchens. The French restaurant Jean Georges is known to enjoy the pinnacle of modern French cuisine in an elegant environment. Remember that if there are infants and young children going to the restaurant, it is best to have lunch at noon. The restaurant does not accept diners with infants and young children into the restaurant for dinner.
Xuanwu Lake Park is located at the foot of Zhongshan Mountain. It is a large-scale imperial garden lake in China. Together with Jiaxing South Lake and Hangzhou West Lake, it is called the “Three Famous Lakes in regions south of the Yangtze River”.
You can take a pedal boat or electric boat to tour the lake, and it is very pleasant to see the five oases and the surrounding city scenery on the lake. Of course, to appreciate the beauty of Xuanwu Lake Park, you need to walk up to five oasis and take a slow tour. There are bridges and embankments between the five oases, so you can walk freely. When you visit Yingzhou in spring, you can see cherry blossoms full of branches, and there is also a lotus garden here, which is a good place to see lotus flowers and take photos.
Shanghai Global Harbour is the only European-style Shopping Mall in China and the largest shopping mall in the center of the world. The shopping mall incorporates modern design elements into the European architectural style, and the atrium shape shapes the original magnificent building in a detailed and layered manner. Shopping here, you can feel the foreign shopping culture and fashion.
Global Harbour is the largest, most European, and most luxurious flagship store in the top shopping mall in Shanghai and even in the country. Shopping inside is a kind of enjoyment, and you can find a place where it is suitable for afternoon tea. The shopping center integrates shopping, dining, entertainment, cinema viewing, and museum visits. You will not feel tired even if you go shopping, eat, drink, watch movies, and take photos in the shopping center. There are shopping on every floor, and restaurants are distributed on many floors. It is highly recommended to visit and experience.