Holiday in Suzhou (Anhui)

About Suzhou (Anhui)

Suzhou in Anhui Province (not to be confused with the famous Suzhou in Jiangsu) is a historic city on the North China Plain with over 2,200 years of history. As a former prefectural city at the crossroads of important trade routes, Suzhou was a significant center of Chinese classical culture and produced numerous poets and scholars. The city is considered an important gateway to the Huangshan region (Yellow Mountains), one of the most famous mountain ranges in China and a UNESCO World Heritage site. From Suzhou, the spectacular granite peaks, pine forests, and hot springs of Huangshan can be reached in about three hours — a popular route for travelers looking to avoid the direct tourist rush. The Sui-Tang Canal (Tongji Canal), a section of the historic Grand Canal, runs through the city and bears witness to Suzhou's significance as a trade hub. Along the canal, there are restored historic districts with traditional stone bridges, old warehouses, and tea houses. The Bian River, a tributary of the Grand Canal, once provided the waterway connection to Kaifeng and Luoyang. The Huangzang Si Pagoda (Yellow Temple) from the Tang Dynasty and the Sui Gu Tower are among the oldest preserved buildings in the city. The Suzhou Museum documents the rich archaeological history of the region, from Neolithic settlements to Bronze Age artifacts and calligraphy by famous poets. The surroundings of Suzhou are characterized by fertile farmland: endless wheat fields in spring and rice paddies in summer offer a picturesque landscape that invites cycling tours. The local cuisine combines the heartiness of northern Chinese food with the refinement of Anhui cuisine, one of the eight great culinary traditions of China.