Suzhou, China: The Trip of a Lifetime

I've been thinking about bucket list destinations a lot more as I get older. I want to see the world, and maybe more of its' unfamiliar places. I have always wanted to visit Asia, specifically, China, and now I have learned of a beautiful destination there. Suzhou. A large city located in Jiangsu Province, in Eastern China. It is the most beautiful city, and here is why you should visit.

4 Reasons To Travel To Suzhou, China

The gardens are a great destination. Nine of the cities gardens have been designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The city being over 2500 years old helped to attribute this. The garden you see pictured, Humble Administrator's Garden, is the nations largest garden. Gardens consisting of man-made construction with nature's beauty is a sensory scenic experience.

Suzhou is the Venice of China, with the world's longest canal. Suzhou is in the heart of the Yangtze River, made up of canals. The best way to enjoy the city is by boat. The narrow water passages are some of the oldest in the world, and perfect for the visitor looking to take in scenic history, or for the couple looking for a romantic afternoon. As you float down the canal, be sure to pass by some of the famed bridges of the Wujiang District. Newlyweds come in tradition, to cross, in the hopes of happiness, fortune and peace.

Suzhou is rich in culture and has some of the richest historical sites. Beside the Humble Administrator's Garden is the Suzhou Museum. It was designed by world renowned architect, I.M Pei. It houses ancient ceramics, wood carvings and other links to the past. 

Being the silk capital of China, Suzhou is home to the Suzhou Silk Museum. It shows visitors the history of silk production that made the city famous. Visitors experience everything step-by-step, starting with the silk worm and onto threads and finished products.

I personally want to visit the Kunqu Opera Museum. Between the music, the costumes, and history, I am enamored. It would be on my list for sure!

Lastly, the festivals. One for every occasion! Your visit won't be complete without attending one of the city's many festivals. The Hashan Temple Bell Ringing Festival is on December 31st. Thousands of people come to the 1500 year old temple just to hear the monks strike the bell 108 times. It is said this bring good luck for the new year. 

I like the looks of this Temple Fair at Tiger Hill. I love the dancing with the dragon. It would be great to watch and hear the music. I'd like to see the famed sword-filled pool though. It just sounds awesome, doesn't it?!

Now you now why this gem of a city is on my travel bucket list. It just looks beautiful. I hope you now want to visit it too. Plan your visit to Suzhou today!

Enter the Experience Suzhou: The Venice of China and the City of Scholars Sweepstakes at TravelToSuzhou.com/Sweepstakes for a chance to win a six-day vacation package to Suzhou. You could win the trip of a lifetime! Good luck!

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