Ultimate guide to Suzhou, China's 'paradise on earth'

by Clarissa Wei

Suzhou is often dubbed the "Venice of the East" for the city's crisscrossing canals.
A quick nap away from Shanghai?s soaring skyline aboard the high-speed train (the fastest takes about 25 minutes), Suzhou (??) is a historical city that's greatly admired for its winding canals and classical gardens.

If Shanghai represents the future of China, Suzhou is where one can experience the nation?s past and present between sipping green tea and munching on rice cakes.

The waterside city's history dates back 2,500 years to the Spring and Autumn Period and was dubbed (perhaps with only a slight exaggeration) ?paradise on earth? -- together with Hangzhou -- in Chinese history for its pleasant scenery, fertile soil and prosperous commerce.

More on CNNGo: The 5-minute Hangzhou guide

This mini-guide provides all essential information for visitors to navigate the 8,488-square-meter city.

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Source: http://rss.cnngo.com/~r/cnngo/~3/fxWVq5DMMIA/suzhou-guide-459550

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