One of
the key cities in the Yangtze River Delta, Suzhou is a renowned cultural, historic
and tourist city. The city is located in the southeast of Jiangsu Province
,bordering Shanghai on the east, Zhejiang Province on the south, the Taihu Lake
in the west and the Yangtze River in the north.
Written historical records indicate that Suzhou
has a history of over 4000 years, which entitles the city one of "24
Cultural and Historic Cities " approved as the first group of its kind by
the State Council.
For thousands of years Suzhou has been a cradle of
talented people. In ancient times Suzhou gave birth to many remarkable
politicians, philosophers, strategists, scientists and artists, represented by
Sun Wu, Fan Zhongyan, Shen Kuo, Tang Ying, Gu Yanwu, Kuai Xiang. In modern
times, prominent people from Suzhou emerge in large numbers in various fields. Suzhou's
painting, calligraphy, seal cutting, opera, medicine and architecture all have
different schools and achievements. Its traditional handicrafts such as
embroidery and Taohuawu woodcut picture enjoy a high reputation at home and
abroad.
