Suzhou, alternately romanized as Soochow, is a major city located in southeastern Jiangsu Province of East China, about 100 km northwest of Shanghai. It is a major economic center and focal point of trade and commerce, and the second largest city in the province, after its capital Nanjing.
Suzhou is situated on the lower reaches of the Yangtze River and the shores of Lake Tai and belongs to the Yangtze River Delta region. Administratively, it is a prefecture-level city with a population of 4.33 million in its city proper, and a total resident population of 10.58 million in its administrative area. Its urban population grew at an unprecedented rate of 6.5% between 2000 and 2014, which is the highest among cities with more than 5 million people.
Often dubbed the “Venice of the East” Suzhou is an ancient city with a history that spans over a thousand years and is famed the world over for its scenic canals, exquisite classical gardens, and more. Due to its renowned beauty and historical significance, Suzhou is one of China’s most popular tourist destinations and is full of UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites, all dotted amongst the city’s modern elements.
