“蘇州園林甲天下”。蘇州園林是建筑、山水、花木、雕刻、書畫的綜合藝術品，集自然美和藝術美于一體，構成了曲折迂回、步移景換的畫面。全市現(xiàn)有園林60多個，其中拙政園和留園列入中國四大名園，并同網師園、環(huán)秀山莊與滄浪亭、獅子林、藝圃、耦園、退思園等9個古典園林，分別于97年12月和2000年11月被聯(lián)合國教科文組織列入《世界遺產名錄》，古鎮(zhèn)同里、周莊、甪直正在申報列入世界文化遺產。
蘇州既有園林之美，又有山水之勝。寺觀名剎，遍布城鄉(xiāng)；文物古跡，交相輝映。加以文人墨客題詠銘記，作畫書聯(lián)，更使之名揚中外。靈巖、天平、洞庭東山西山、鄧尉、虞山、玉山等處，都是天然的風景勝地。古鎮(zhèn)周莊和蘇州樂園、太湖樂園等現(xiàn)代旅游設施業(yè)也吸引了眾多海內外游客。
蘇州現(xiàn)建有戲曲、民俗、碑刻、絲綢、蘇繡、錢幣、園林、佛教等10個博物館，已成為旅游新熱點。另有工藝美術博物館正在籌建之中。
Suzhou
The long history of Suzhou City has left behind many attractive scenic spots and historical sites with beautiful and interesting legends. The elegant classical gardens, the old - fashioned houses and delicate bridges hanging over flowing waters in the drizzling rain, the beautiful lakes with undulating hills in lush green, the numerous scenic spots and historical sites, and the exquisite arts and crafts, etc. have made Suzhou a renowned historical and cultural city full of eternal and poetic charm.
Suzhou was the capital of the Wu State during the Spring and Autumn Period. In 514 BC, by the command of King He Lu of Wu, his senior minister Wu Zixu built the Great City of He Lu, and its wall measured 23.5 kilometres in circumsference with 8 pairs of land - and - water gates. The city began to take the name of Suzhou and Gusu City during the Sui Dynasty. Numerous changes have taken place in Suzhou through its vast history. Yet, in spite of repeated devastation, the city is still seated exactly on the original site as it was 2500 years ago, which is indeed an instance rarely found in the world.
Suzhou is best known for its gardens: Humble Administrator's Garden, Lingering Garden, the Surging Wave Pavilion, and the Master of Nets Garden. These gardens weave together the best of traditional Chinese architecture, painting and arts.
Shown in the picture above is the famous "Cold Mountain Temple" where bells are rang on New Year's morning as a tradition.
Suzhou is also known as the "Venice of the East". The city is sandwiched between Taihu Lake and Grand Canal. Network of cannels, criss-crossed with hump-backed bridges, give Suzhou an image of City on the water. Notes:
1. Humble Administrator's Garden 拙政園
2. Lingering Garden 留園
3. Surging Wave Pavilion 滄浪亭
4. Master of Nets Garden 網師園
5. Cold Mountain Temple 寒山寺
6. Venice of the East 東方威尼斯
