人间天堂-苏州

 　"苏州园林甲天下"。苏州园林是建筑、山水、花木、雕刻、书画的综合艺术品，集自然美和艺术美于一体，构成了曲折迂回、步移景换的画面。全市现有园林60多个，其中拙政园和留园列入中国四大名园，并同网师园、环秀山庄与沧浪亭、狮子林、艺圃、耦园、退思园等9个古典园林，分别于97年12月和2000年11月被联合国教科文组织列入《世界遗产名录》，古镇同里、周庄、甪直正在申报列入世界文化遗产。

　　苏州既有园林之美，又有山水之胜。寺观名刹，遍布城乡；文物古迹，交相辉映。加以文人墨客题咏铭记，作画书联，更使之名扬中外。灵岩、天平、洞庭东山西山、邓尉、虞山、玉山等处，都是天然的风景胜地。古镇周庄和苏州乐园、太湖乐园等现代旅游设施业也吸引了众多海内外游客。

　　苏州现建有戏曲、民俗、碑刻、丝绸、苏绣、钱币、园林、佛教等10个博物馆，已成为旅游新热点。另有工艺美术博物馆正在筹建之中。

　　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 拙政园

　　2. Lingering Garden 留园

　　3. Surging Wave Pavilion 沧浪亭

　　4. Master of Nets Garden 网师园

　　5. Cold Mountain Temple 寒山寺

　　6. Venice of the East 东方威尼斯