Suzhou (宿州)

1. Introduction

Suzhou City, abbreviated as Su, is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of Anhui Province, People's Republic of China, located in the northern part of Anhui Province. The city borders Huaibei City and Bengbu City to the south, Suqian City of Jiangsu Province to the east, Xuzhou City of Jiangsu Province to the north, Heze City of Shandong Province to the northwest, and Shangqiu City of Henan Province to the west. Situated in the southern part of the North China Plain, the terrain is gentle with a few low hills and mountains. The rivers within the territory belong to the Yellow River and Huai River systems, including the Sui River, Xinbian River, Tuo River, Kui River, and Hui River. The city covers a total area of 9,939 square kilometers, with a permanent population of 5.3 million. The People's Government of Suzhou City is located at No. 506, Yinhe 1st Road, Yongqiao District. Suzhou is one of the core cities of the Huaihai Economic Zone and the city in Anhui Province closest to the seaport. Suzhou City is a regional central city at the intersection of Jiangsu, Shandong, Henan, and Anhui provinces.

In 2019, the State Council officially released the Yangtze River Delta integration document, and Suzhou has since been included in the Yangtze River Delta integration region.

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2. History

Suzhou boasts a long history. During the Qin and Han dynasties, it had already become "a hub where boats and carriages converged, a thoroughfare connecting the nine provinces." The opening of the "Tongji Canal" in the Sui Dynasty further established Suzhou as a military stronghold "controlling Bian and Huai, strategically vital to both north and south."

In the 13th year of King Zhuang of Zhou's reign during the Spring and Autumn period (684 BC), the people of Song relocated the State of Su (located in present-day Dongping County, Shandong Province) into their own territory as a vassal state, hence the name "Su" for the prefecture.

After Qin unified the nation and built post roads, the area was named Yongshang (埇上) because earth was piled on the roads. Following the excavation of the Grand Canal in the Sui Dynasty, due to its strategic location—"flanking Liang and Song to the west, controlling Xu and Si to the north, bordering Hao and Shou to the south, and bounded by the Huai and Si rivers to the east, a crucial convergence for boats and carriages, and vital for warfare and defense"—the Yong Bridge was established here, forming a transportation, industrial, and commercial town.

In the fourth year of the Yuanhe era of the Tang Dynasty (809 AD), Su Prefecture (Suzhou) was established (administered from Yong Bridge). Qi County and Fuli County from Xu Prefecture, and Hong County from Si Prefecture, were transferred to Su Prefecture, which was under the jurisdiction of the Xu-Si-Hao military governorate (administered from Xu Prefecture).

In the sixth year of the Dading era of the Jin Dynasty (1166 AD), Su Prefecture was transferred to the Guide Prefecture under the Nanjing Circuit (administered from Suiyang).

In the first year of the Zhiyuan era of the Yuan Dynasty (1265 AD), Su Prefecture belonged to Guide Prefecture under the Henan Province. In the second year of the Zhiyuan era (1266 AD), Qi County, Fuli County, Linhuan County, and Lingbi County were abolished and merged into Su Prefecture.

In the fourth year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1371 AD), Su Prefecture was transferred to Linhao Prefecture under the Central Secretariat. In the sixth year of Hongwu (1373 AD), Linhao Prefecture was renamed Zhongli Prefecture. In the seventh year of Hongwu (1374 AD), Zhongli Prefecture was renamed Fengyang Prefecture.

In the sixth year of the Shunzhi era of the Qing Dynasty (1667 AD), Su Prefecture belonged to Anhui Province (administered from Jiangning). Lingbi County was placed under the direct jurisdiction of Fengyang Prefecture.

In 1912, Su Prefecture was changed to Su County, and Si Prefecture was changed to Si County. Su County, Si County, and Lingbi County belonged to Anhui Province. Dangshan County and Xiao County belonged to Jiangsu Province.

In the 21st year of the Republic of China (1932), Anhui implemented the leading county system. Su County, Si County, and Lingbi belonged to the 7th District (with Si County as the leading county). Later, the administrative inspector system was implemented. Xiao County and Dangshan belonged to the Tongshan District of Jiangsu Province, while Su County, Lingbi, and Si County belonged to the 6th District of Anhui Province (administered from Si County).

In the 27th year of the Republic of China (1938), Suzhou fell to enemy occupation. In the 34th year of the Republic of China (1945), following the victory in the War of Resistance, Su County, Lingbi, and Si County belonged to the 4th District of Anhui Province (administered from Sucheng). Dangshan and Xiao County belonged to the Xuzhou District of Jiangsu Province.

On November 16, 1948, the People's Liberation Army occupied Sucheng. In 1949, the Su County District was established, under the Northern Anhui Administrative Office. In 1950, Su County was divided to establish Su City and Suixi County, and the seat of Su County was moved to Fulizhen. In 1952, Yongcheng County was transferred to the Shangqiu District. In 1953, Su City was merged into Su County, and the seat of Su County was also moved from Old Fuliji to Sucheng. In 1955, Sihong County was transferred to the Huaiyin District. In 1956, Su County District and Chu County District were merged to establish the Bengbu District.

In 1961, the Bengbu District was abolished, and Chu County District and Su County District were restored. In 1971, Su County District was renamed Su County Region. In 1979, the former urban area of Su County was established as the county-level Suzhou City. In 1992, Su County was merged into Suzhou City. In 1998, Su County Region and the county-level Suzhou City were abolished, and the prefecture-level Suzhou City and Yongqiao District were established.

In 2001, the Suzhou Economic and Technological Development Zone was established.

3. Geography

Suzhou City is located in the central part of the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain, stretching 184.6 kilometers from east to west and 151.2 kilometers from north to south, situated between 116°9'~118°10' east longitude and 33°18'~34°38' north latitude. The plain area covers over 8,890 square kilometers, accounting for 91% of the total area, with a small amount of hills and terraces.

3.1 Rivers

The area is rich in rivers, with more than 70 rivers of various sizes, belonging to the Yellow River and Huai River systems. The Xinbian River, a large artificial flood channel spanning the three provinces of Henan, Anhui, and Jiangsu, runs 127 kilometers within the city, with a basin area of 6,562 square kilometers. Major rivers include the Sui River, Tuo River, Kui River, Hui River, and Zha River (also known as the Beigu River), which flow from northwest to southeast into the Huai River or directly into Hongze Lake. The Tuo River, Hui River, and Xinbian River serve as water transport channels. The Old Yellow River Course in Suzhou is a remnant of the Ming and Qing Dynasty Yellow River course within Suzhou City.

3.2 Mountains

North of the Sui River, there are continuous island-like low mountains and residual hills, which are extensions of the Shandong Hills. The highest peak is Daguan Mountain in Xiaoxian County, with an elevation of 395 meters.

3.3 Climate

Suzhou City is situated at the northern edge of the northern subtropical zone, characterized by a monsoon climate transitioning from subtropical to warm temperate, with distinct seasons and ample sunlight. The annual average temperature is 14.7°C, the frost-free period is about 210 days, and the annual precipitation is approximately 840 mm. | Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | |------------------|-------|--------|------|------|------|-------|-------|-------|------|------|------|--------|--------| | Record High °C | 20.1 | 25.2 | 30 | 34.3 | 37.6 | 40.3 | 40.9 | 38.2 | 37.1 | 35.1 | 30 | 22.1 | 40.9 | | Record High °F | 68.2 | 77.4 | 86 | 93.7 | 99.7 | 104.5 | 105.6 | 100.8 | 98.8 | 95.2 | 86 | 71.8 | 105.6 | | Average High °C | 6.1 | 8.5 | 13.6 | 21 | 26.5 | 30.7 | 31.8 | 31.1 | 27.1 | 22 | 14.9 | 8.7 | 20.2 | | Average High °F | 43 | 47.3 | 56.5 | 69.8 | 79.7 | 87.3 | 89.2 | 88 | 80.8 | 71.6 | 58.8 | 47.7 | 68.3 | | Daily Mean °C | 0.8 | 3 | 8 | 15 | 20.5 | 25.2 | 27.3 | 26.6 | 22 | 16.2 | 9.1 | 3 | 14.7 | | Daily Mean °F | 33.4 | 37.4 | 46.4 | 59 | 68.9 | 77.4 | 81.1 | 79.9 | 71.6 | 61.2 | 48.4 | 37.4 | 58.5 | | Average Low °C | −3.2 | −1.1 | 3.2 | 9.6 | 15 | 20.3 | 23.7 | 23.1 | 18 | 11.6 | 4.6 | −1.2 | 10.3 | | Average Low °F | 26.2 | 30 | 37.8 | 49.3 | 59 | 68.5 | 74.7 | 73.6 | 64.4 | 52.9 | 40.3 | 29.8 | 50.5 | | Record Low °C | −13.2 | −18.1 | −8.2 | −1.8 | 5.3 | 12 | 16.8 | 15.5 | 7.2 | −0.5 | −7.7 | −18.7 | −18.7 | | Record Low °F | 8.2 | (−0.6) | 17.2 | 28.8 | 41.5 | 53.6 | 62.2 | 59.9 | 45 | 31.1 | 18.1 | (−1.7) | (−1.7) | | Average Precipitation mm | 19.3 | 27.2 | 45.7 | 51.7 | 64.3 | 115.4 | 218.2 | 115.7 | 81.8 | 56.4 | 29.2 | 14 | 838.9 | | Average Precipitation inches | 0.76 | 1.07 | 1.8 | 2.04 | 2.53 | 4.54 | 8.59 | 4.56 | 3.22 | 2.22 | 1.15 | 0.55 | 33.03 | | Average Precipitation Days (≥ 0.1 mm) | 4.7 | 6.2 | 7.9 | 7.5 | 7.8 | 9.7 | 13.6 | 10.7 | 8.4 | 7.7 | 6 | 4.2 | 94.4 |

3.4 Flora

The forest vegetation in Suzhou City belongs to the North China flora type, characterized by warm temperate deciduous broad-leaved forests. The city has a total of 275 species of woody plants from 60 families and 110 genera, including 260 species of angiosperms from 56 families and 102 genera, and 15 species of gymnosperms from 4 families and 8 genera. Huangcangyu in Xiaoxian County and the Jiagou Forest Farm under the municipal administration have two patches of natural secondary forests, the only ones remaining in the Huaibei region. These forests contain over 140 species of woody plants, holding significant value for ecological research.

3.5 Mineral Resources

There are 29 types of mineral resources, with proven reserves for 18 types. Coal reserves are approximately 6 billion tons, making it an important part of the Lianghuai Coalfield. The predicted petroleum reserves of the Huangkou Oilfield exceed 2 billion tons. The proven coalbed methane reserves in the Sunan area amount to 315.9 billion cubic meters. Marble reserves are 40 million cubic meters, ranking first in the province, with over 20 varieties and patterns. Additionally, there are considerable reserves of resources such as iron, kaolin, and quartzite.

4. Administrative Divisions

Suzhou City currently administers 1 municipal district and 4 counties.

• Municipal District: Yongqiao District
• Counties: Dangshan County, Xiao County, Lingbi County, Si County In addition to the formal administrative divisions, Suzhou City has also established the following economic functional zones: Suzhou Economic and Technological Development Zone, Suzhou Ma'anshan Modern Industrial Park.

| Division Code | Division Name | Chinese Pinyin | Area (km²) | Resident Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | Townships | |-------------------|-------------------|-------------------------|----------------|---------------------------------------|---------------------|-----------------|------------------|-----------|---------------| | 341300 | Suzhou City | Sùzhōu Shì | 9,938.77 | 5,324,476 | Yongqiao District | 234000 | 12 | 71 | 23 | | 341302 | Yongqiao District | Yǒngqiáo Qū | 2,907.44 | 1,766,285 | Yongqiao Subdistrict | 234000 | 12 | 15 | 9 | | 341321 | Dangshan County | Dàngshān Xiàn | 1,196.73 | 765,564 | Dangcheng Town | 235300 | | 13 | | | 341322 | Xiao County | Xiāo Xiàn | 1,853.60 | 1,054,597 | Longcheng Town | 235200 | | 18 | 5 | | 341323 | Lingbi County | Língbì Xiàn | 2,124.05 | 974,720 | Lingcheng Town | 234200 | | 13 | 6 | | 341324 | Si County | Sì Xiàn | 1,856.96 | 763,310 | Sicheng Town | 234300 | | 12 | 3 |

5. Economy

Suzhou City is located near the coastal areas and backed by the Central Plains, serving as a transitional zone between the developed coastal regions and the central-western regions. Its favorable geographical location facilitates the city in attracting capital, technology, and industrial transfers from the developed coastal areas, receiving economic and cultural influences from various directions, and integrating the strengths of different regions.

5.1 Agriculture

Suzhou City is an emerging agricultural powerhouse and a nationally renowned production base for grains, cotton, oil crops, fruits, and vegetables, often referred to as the "Sea of Fruits and Granary of Grains." Major food crops include wheat and corn, with an annual sown area of 10 million mu. Economic crops mainly consist of cotton, peanuts, vegetables, and watermelons, with areas of 1.2 million mu, 1 million mu, 900,000 mu, and 500,000 mu, respectively. It is the largest contiguous fruit-producing region in the country, with a fruit-growing area of 1 million mu, and also a large-scale livestock breeding base in China. The deep processing of agricultural and sideline products holds significant potential.

6. Transportation

6.1 Railway

• Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway (Suzhou East Station—straight-line distance of 23 km from the urban area)
• Xuzhou-Lanzhou High-Speed Railway (Dangshan South Station, Xiaoxian North Station)
• Beijing-Shanghai Railway (Suzhou Station): Length 99 km
• Longhai Railway (Dangshan Station)
• Fuzhou-Jiahe Railway (Fuliji Station, Xiaoxian Station)
• Suzhou-Huai'an Railway (Lingbi Station, Sixian Station, Haogou Station)
• Bozhou-Suzhou Railway (Planned)
• Qinglu Railway (Mining Area Dedicated Line)
• Xuzhou-Huaibei-Suzhou Intercity Railway (Xuzhou—Huaibei—Suzhou, Planned)

6.2 Highway

G3 Beijing-Taipei Expressway G30 Lianyungang-Khorgas Expressway S07 Xuzhou-Mingguang Expressway S04 Sixian-Xuchang Expressway S23 Jining-Qimen Expressway National Highways 104, 206, 310, 311, 343, 344.

6.3 Aviation

Approximately 75 km from Xuzhou Guanyin International Airport, over 200 km from Nanjing Lukou International Airport and Hefei Xinqiao International Airport. Suzhou Dadian Airport (Planned).

6.4 Water Transport

There are currently 7 waterways, with a total navigable length of 176.23 km. The Hui River is a Class IV waterway; the Xinbian River and the Tuo River are Class V waterways; the Tuohe Diversion Channel, the Suihe Diversion Channel, the Xiaosui New River, and the Xinsui River are Class VI waterways. Among them, the Tuohui River (Tuo River and Hui River) waterway is a regionally important channel. The Qixian Port Area is a specialized port area primarily for coal exports.

6.5 Pipeline

Luning Oil Pipeline, Luwan Refined Oil Pipeline.

7. Education

• Higher Education Institutions: Suzhou University, Suzhou Vocational and Technical College, Northern Anhui Health Vocational College
• Provincial Model High Schools: Suzhou No. 1 High School, Suzhou No. 2 High School, Suzhou Xuefeng No. 2 High School, Dangshan High School, Dangshan No. 2 High School, Xiaoxian High School, Xiaocheng No. 1 High School, Lingbi No. 1 High School, Lingbi High School, Sixian No. 1 High School, Sixian No. 2 High School
• National Key Vocational High Schools: Suzhou No. 1 Vocational High School (now merged with Suzhou Industrial School), Suzhou No. 2 Vocational High School
• General High Schools (Urban Area): 【Suzhou No. 3 High School】, 【Suzhou Xiaguan High School】, 【Suzhou University Affiliated Experimental High School】, 【Suzhou Peking University Affiliated Experimental School (12-year education)】, 【Suzhou No. 6 High School (demolished in 2011 due to urban development)】
• Urban Junior High Schools: 【Suzhou No. 1 Junior High School】, 【Suzhou No. 9 Junior High School】, 【Suzhou No. 11 Junior High School】, 【Suzhou No. 5 Junior High School】, 【Suzhou No. 8 Junior High School】, 【Suzhou International Experimental School (9-year education)】
• Urban Primary Schools: 【Suzhou No. 1 Primary School】, 【Suzhou No. 2 Primary School】, 【Suzhou No. 4 Primary School】, 【Suzhou No. 6 Primary School】, 【Suzhou No. 7 Primary School】, 【Suzhou No. 9 Primary School】, 【Suzhou No. 10 Primary School】, 【Suzhou No. 11 Primary School】, 【Suzhou No. 12 Primary School】, 【Suzhou No. 17 Primary School】, 【Suzhou No. 18 Primary School】, 【Suzhou No. 19 Primary School】, 【Suzhou Xuefeng Primary School】, 【Suzhou No. 20 Primary School】

8. Population

By the end of 2022, the city's permanent resident population was 5.300 million, a decrease of 25,000 from the end of the previous year. The urbanization rate was 46.38%, an increase of 1.35 percentage points from the previous year.

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the city's permanent resident population was 5,324,476. Compared with the 5,352,924 people from the Sixth National Population Census, the total population decreased by 28,448 over the ten years, a decline of 0.53%, with an average annual growth rate of -0.05%. Among them, the male population was 2,695,358, accounting for 50.62% of the total population; the female population was 2,629,118, accounting for 49.38% of the total population. The sex ratio of the total population (with females as 100) was 102.52. The population aged 0–14 was 1,252,954, accounting for 23.53% of the total population; the population aged 15–59 was 3,104,958, accounting for 58.31% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 966,564, accounting for 18.15% of the total population, of which the population aged 65 and above was 789,401, accounting for 14.83% of the total population. The urban population was 2,330,027, accounting for 43.76% of the total population; the rural population was 2,994,449, accounting for 56.24% of the total population.

8.1. Ethnic Groups

Among the city's permanent resident population, the Han ethnic group population was 5,309,617, accounting for 99.72%; the population of various ethnic minorities was 14,859, accounting for 0.28%. Compared with the Sixth National Population Census in 2010, the Han ethnic group population decreased by 30,530, a decline of 0.57%, with its proportion of the total population decreasing by 0.04 percentage points; the population of various ethnic minorities increased by 2,082, a growth of 16.29%, with its proportion of the total population increasing by 0.04 percentage points.

9. Religion

The primary religion in the Suzhou region is Christianity, which has developed rapidly in recent years, followed by Catholicism, mainly distributed in Dangshan County.

9.1 Christianity

In the 33rd year of the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty (1907), the American Northern Presbyterian Church sent Robinstine to Sucheng to spread Christianity. In the first year of the Republic of China (1912), American missionary Caters and his wife came to Suzhou and built a chapel at the east end of Dahe South Street. In the 13th year of the Republic of China (1924), a large palace-style glazed tile-roofed chapel (i.e., the Gospel Hall) was constructed with funds raised through donations by Ood.

9.2 Catholicism

In the 28th year of the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty (1902), the French missionary Hou Jinkang, dispatched by the Shanghai Diocese, came to Sucheng to preach and converted a rented house at No. 10 Yaodian Lane into a church. Within ten years, Hou purchased a large plot of land near the church and built a Catholic church, which was under the jurisdiction of the Shanghai Jiangnan Diocese. In 1929, Su County, Lingbi County, and Si County belonged to the Bengbu Diocese, while Dangshan County and Xiao County were under the Xuzhou Diocese.

10. Culture

• Yongqiao District is the Hometown of Chinese Calligraphy and the Hometown of Chinese Circus; Dangshan is the Hometown of Chinese Martial Arts; Xiao County is the Hometown of Chinese Folk Art (Painting and Calligraphy); Lingbi is the Hometown of Chinese Wonder Stone - Lingbi Stone and the Hometown of Chinese Folk Art (New Year Pictures); Sixian County is the Hometown of Chinese Folk Art (Sizhou Opera), etc.
• Cultural Festivals: Suzhou Lingbi Stone Culture Festival, Dangshan Pear Blossom Festival, Xiao County Painting and Calligraphy Art Festival, Sixian County Sizhou Opera Culture Festival.
• National-Level Intangible Cultural Heritage: Sizhou Opera, Huaibei Flower Drum Opera, Zhuizi Opera, Yongqiao Circus
• Local Operas: Sizhou Opera, Huaibei Bangzi, Zhuizi Opera, Huaibei Flower Drum Opera
• Folk Songs: Dagu Chai

10.1 Local Cuisine

Snacks: Laomo (griddle cake), Sǎ Soup, Spicy Soup, Meat Box, Chive Box, Water Single Pancake, Mahu Soup, Gangtie (pot-stuck bread), Sugar Cake, Crispy Baked Cake, Egg-Stuffed Pancake, Youxuanzi (spiral fried dough), Guotie Jiao (potstickers), Steamed Jiaozi, Fried Baozi, Fried Jiaozi, Mianhu Mo (flour paste pancake), Youcha (savory fried flour soup), Tofu Pudding, Mianpi (wheat gluten sheet) Pastries: Grasshopper Legs, Jiao Yezi, San Daozi, Yangjiaomi (goat horn honey), Tiaosu, Daliao Hua, Sanzi (fried dough twists)

10.2 National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units

Xiaoshankou Site Gutai Temple Site

10.3 Scenic Spots and Historical Sites

• Huangcangyu National Forest Park Huangcangyu is located at the southeastern border of Xiao County, 26 kilometers from the county seat, covering a scenic area of 31 square kilometers. It is currently a National Forest Park, a National 4A-level Scenic Area, a Provincial-level Scenic Area, and a Provincial-level Nature Reserve. The valley features dense forests with over 130 species of woody plants, and is home to 58 species of birds and various wild animals. It is one of the few well-preserved primitive warm-temperate deciduous broad-leaved forests in northern Anhui.

Huangcangyu: Formerly known as Huangsangyu (Yellow Mulberry Valley), named for the abundance of yellow mulberry trees in the valley. Legend has it that Liu Bang, the founding emperor of the Han Dynasty, once took refuge here, leading to its renaming as Huangcangyu (Imperial Hiding Valley). The scenic area is centered around its unique forest landscape and rich flora and fauna resources, supported by cultural landscapes such as temple historical sites, integrating caves, springs, mountains, and rock formations. The area features rolling peaks and towering trees, with 146 species of trees including cork oak, oriental white oak, purpleblow maple, wingceltis, Nanjing linden, and bigfruit elm growing on the slopes and ridges. Fifty-eight species of birds inhabit the area, along with rare fur-bearing animals like otters, yellow weasels, and foxes from the lower to upper reaches. It is one of the few areas in the Huaibei region that reflects the historical biological community.

Scenic spots include: Ruiyun Temple, Tianmen Temple, Huangcang Cave, Feilai Stone (Flying Rock), Bajian Spring (Sword-Drawing Spring), Mapa Spring, Guolao Cave, Beauty Cave, Immortal's Bed, Viewing Peak, White Horse King Tomb, Daoliu River Ancient Site, and over fifty other sites of varying sizes.

• Dangshan Ecological Sightseeing Tourism Area Dangshan is famous for its abundant production of crisp pears, earning the title "China's Pear Capital." Within its territory, the old course of the Yellow River features 700,000 mu (approx. 46,667 hectares) of contiguous orchards, the largest area of its kind in the world. Every spring when the pear blossoms bloom, it attracts a large number of domestic and international tourists. In autumn, the area is filled with abundant fruit, creating another sea of green oasis. Notable wonders include the century-old "Pear Tree King" producing 2000 kg of pears per tree and the "Crisp Pear King" weighing 2400 grams. Currently, the forest area has built nearly twenty attractions including viewing platforms, self-picking gardens, Hundred-Fruit Garden, China Pear Exhibition Hall, Century-Old Pear Tree King, Black Dragon Covered in Snow, Misty Jade Pool, and Aotou Watching the Sea, forming the world's largest fruit forest park. In recent years, the annual Pear Blossom Festival in spring and the autumn fruit garden tour activities, complemented by local specialties like the Crisp Pear Banquet, Pear King Competition, Martial Arts Hometown Invitational Tournament, cockfighting, dogfighting, and goat fighting, attract an increasing number of Chinese and foreign tourists.

• Wuliu Scenic Area Wuliu Scenic Area is located in Jiagou Town, about 30 kilometers north of Suzhou, at the center of the three cities of Xuzhou, Huaibei, and Suzhou, covering an area of about 35 square kilometers. The scenic area includes the main Longquan Lake scenic area, Dafangsi Forest Farm, Panshan Karst Cave, as well as numerous historical sites and cultural landscapes such as Longquan Temple, Min Ziqian Memorial Temple, Duanshang Cultural Site, and ancient Han Dynasty tomb clusters. It is famous for its "clear mountains, beautiful waters, strange caves, spiritual springs, and fragrant rice." The area is surrounded by mountains on the south, west, and north sides, with a wide variety of plant species and a pleasant climate. In the main scenic area, Longquan Lake has sparkling blue waves and sweet water quality, with weeping willows, junipers, and snow楹 trees lining the banks, creating a very beautiful scenery. The Panshan Cave within the area features stalagmites and stone pillars of bizarre shapes, stimulating the imagination. The Wuliu mineral water nurtures the famous Jiagou Fragrant Rice, which was a "tribute rice" for the imperial palace from the Song Dynasty to the Ming and Qing Dynasties, renowned for the saying, "When one family cooks this rice, ten families smell its fragrance; when ten families cook it, the fragrance fills the village."

• Pearl S. Buck's Former Residence Pearl S. Buck's former residence is located at the Gospel Church on Dahe South Street in the urban area. It currently has eighteen rooms, covering an area of about 300 square meters. The world cultural celebrity Pearl S. Buck was a famous American novelist, born on June 26, 1892, in West Virginia, USA. At three months old, she was placed in a cradle and crossed the ocean with her missionary parents to China. Subsequently, she spent the first 40 years of her life mostly in China, except for four years returning to the US for university and a master's degree. She first lived in Qingjiang in northern Jiangsu, then moved with her family to Zhenjiang at age four. After marriage, she lived in Suzhou for over four years with her husband (John Lossing Buck). Pearl S. Buck was the first American woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. The northern landlord manors and Chinese rural life described in her famous work "The Good Earth" trilogy were modeled after Suzhou.

• Fushu Pavilion

• Yanxi Terrace

• Yu Ji's Tomb: Yu Ji's Tomb is an important remnant of the famous Battle of Gaixia. Well-known idioms like "Farewell My Concubine," "Surrounded by Foes on All Sides," and "Ambush on Ten Sides" originate from here. For two thousand years, countless literati and scholars, admiring Yu Ji's noble character, have come here to pay homage, leaving behind widely praised poems and literary works, making it a famous tourist attraction. The newly built Yu Ji Cultural Park has expanded from thousands of square meters to a 4A-level scenic area covering over 30 acres, featuring new large-scale sculptures, stele corridors, Han Dynasty painting galleries, electronic imagery of the Battle of Gaixia, and cultural relic exhibitions.

• Jiunu Tomb (Nine Maidens' Tomb)

• Shegu Terrace: Located in Daze Township, Yongqiao District, Suzhou City, Shegu Terrace was listed as a Provincial Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit of Anhui Province in 1961. As the birthplace of China's first major peasant uprising, Shegu Terrace is the origin of Chinese peasant wars and peasant revolutions, serving as a carrier and witness of history.

• Lin Tanhua Mansion

• Donglin Thatched Cottage

• Ancient Battlefield of Gaixia

• Suzhou Wildlife Park (featuring a small train inside)

10.4 Local Specialties

Dangshan Crisp Pear: A China Geographical Indication product. A premium fruit favored by customers at home and abroad. The fruit is large, bright yellow, with thin skin, abundant flesh, rich juice, sweet and crisp taste, melts in the mouth without residue, and has a small core. Main varieties include Jingaisu, Baipisu, and Qingpisu, with Jingaisu being of the best quality. Dangshan pears are rich in nutrition, containing various vitamins, sugars, minerals, and have certain medicinal value, such as moistening the lungs and relieving cough, reducing heat and inflammation, and counteracting alcohol toxicity. Besides being eaten fresh, they can also be processed into pear wine, pear juice, pear syrup, preserved pears, and pear canned goods.

Xiao County Grape: A China Geographical Indication product. Xiao County has a grape cultivation history of over 1000 years and is one of the four major grape bases in China. Xiao County grapes have a wide variety, with about over 100 varieties, among which "Muscat" grapes are considered the best. These grapes are perfectly round, purple-red like coral and agate, and have the advantages of large clusters, plump berries, fleshy, juicy, sweet, translucent, fragrant, and thirst-quenching after eating. Secondly, "White Feather" grapes also have a unique flavor. They resemble crystal white jade, are crystal clear, have compact berries, thin skin and abundant juice, are both sour and sweet, with a refreshing and fragrant taste. Additionally, varieties like Golden Queen, Longyan, Black Hamburg, Carignan, and Beichun are also quite popular.

Fuliji Braised Chicken: A China Geographical Indication product. It has excellent color and taste and is a famous dish listed in "China's Famous Dishes Cookbook." In May 1956, at the National Food Exhibition held in Beijing, Fuliji Braised Chicken ranked top for its excellent color, aroma, taste, and appearance, gaining worldwide fame. It again ranked first at the internal cooked food exhibition held by the National Food Corporation in 1980. The production process of Fuliji Braised Chicken is very meticulous. The finely made Fuliji Braised Chicken has an enticing aroma, excellent color and taste, snow-white meat, fat but not greasy, tender meat that falls off the bone yet remains connected by fibers, and leaves a lingering fragrance even when chewing the bones.

Jiagou Fragrant Rice: Known for its rich and strong fragrance, praised with the saying, "When one family cooks this rice, ten families smell its fragrance; when ten families cook it, the fragrance fills the village." Jiagou Fragrant Rice is produced in the Hequan irrigation district of Jiagou Town's scenic area. The rice variety is very rare and grows dependent on water. It is said that Jiagou Fragrant Rice originated from wild rice seeds in Pihu Village, Suzhou, discovered by the abbot of Zhentou Temple and transplanted to the paddy fields in front of the temple. Irrigated by natural mineral spring water, which is deep-layer, pollution-free natural mineral water, the rice develops a unique fragrance after ripening. During the Jiaqing period of the Qing Dynasty, it was listed as a tribute rice for the imperial court.

Lingbi Stone: A China Geographical Indication product. "A Lingbi stone is a wonder under heaven, sounding like bronze and colored like green jade" is the praise given by Song Dynasty poet Dai Fugu to Lingbi Stone. Lingbi Stone, along with Ying Stone, Taihu Stone, and Kun Stone, is hailed as one of the "Four Famous Stones of China." Its profound cultural connotations and infinite natural artistic charm have always been cherished by literati and scholars. As early as the Northern Song Dynasty, it was listed as a tribute for the imperial court. China's first treatise on stones, the Song Dynasty "Yunlin Shipu," ranked Lingbi Stone first. Legend has it that Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty changed his route three times during his southern tours because of Lingbi Stone and inscribed "The First Stone Under Heaven" to praise it. Lingbi Stone is magnificent and unique under heaven, considered a treasure of China, characterized by its diverse forms featuring "thinness, wrinkles, transparency, and perforations" and its aesthetic qualities of "moistness, strangeness, clarity, and serenity."Leshi Inkstone: An ancient renowned inkstone, it had already gained great fame during the Tang and Song dynasties. Literary giants and connoisseurs such as Han Yu, Bai Juyi, Su Shi, and Mi Fu all praised it in their writings. The Leshi inkstone has a slightly hard texture, combining firmness with flexibility and balancing density with openness, providing excellent ink grinding. It is neither too abrasive to damage the brush nor too smooth to resist ink, embodying "both virtues." Its sound is mellow and crisp, producing a clear, jade-like ring when tapped. The carving is exquisite, with designs adapted to the shape, artistry drawn from the color, techniques applied according to the grain, and forms shaped based on the material, showcasing ingenious creativity. The knife work is elegant and robust, with smooth lines and rounded transitions, exuding a simple yet dignified beauty that reveals subtlety within strength. The techniques are flexible and varied, inheriting the essence of traditional craftsmanship while incorporating the strengths of various schools. It holds high practical, artistic, aesthetic, and collectible value.

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Yongqiao District

Yongqiao District

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Ginkgo

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