Location: Suzhou (苏州) is in the southeast of Jiangsu Province, about 100 kilometers to the west of Shanghai, and just over 200 kilometers east of Nanjing.
Population: 10,470,000
Area: 8,488 square kilometers
Nationalities: Han, Tujia
History: As one of the most ancient towns in Yangtze Basin, the history of Suzhou could be date back to 2,500 years ago. The earliest inhabitants or the region formed local tribes and called themselves as "Gou Wu". Years later, here flourished the celebrated Wu culture. In the Spring and Autumn period, Suzhou was named Helu.
In 473B.C., the Wu Stated was captured by Yue State and the glorious era of Suzhou finished with this conquer. The city was named Wu County in the Qin Dynasty. Xiang Yu staged his historical uprising here in 209B.C. In the Sui Dynasty, the city was renamed Suzhou.
After the construction of Grand Canal, Suzhou became an important industrial and commercial center of the south-east. Suzhou’s good fortune ran out in 1860 due to the Taiping soldiers and then again in 1937 through Japanese invasion. In 1981 Suzhou was included in the list of Chinese cities with especial protection for its historical and cultural heritage as well as natural landscape, which have helped to the flourishing of city.
Climate: Suzhou is suffered by the subtropical humid monsoon climate with mild temperature and abundant rainfall. It has four distinctive seasons. The annual mean temperature is 15.7℃. The hottest month is July, with an average temperature at 28℃ and the coldest month is January, with an average temperature at 4℃. From June to July is the plum season with the average yearly precipitation of 1100 mm.
Transportation: Airline-Suzhou has no civil airport at present, so Shanghai Hongqiao Airport, Pudong Airport and Sunan Shuofang International Airport are responsible for the travelers.
Railway-Suzhou Station is the first-class station along the Beijing-Shanghai railway line. There are more than 40 daily train services at Suzhou Railway Station.
Highway-Suzhou has four long-distance bus stations at all.
Waterway-Suzhou-Hangzhou Section of the Great Canal serves the round trip. .
Local Specialties: Suzhou Silk, Suzhou Embroidery, Taohuawu Wooden Painting
Local Food: the Squirrel-shaped Mandarin Fish, Fried Crab Meal, Steamed White Fish, Water Shield with Egg Flakes
Updated by Sophie
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