The historic city of Suzhou is a place of astonishing beauty, located roughly an hours’ ride (by bus or train) from Shanghai. Famous for its classical gardens which are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Suzhou is a top daytrip destination from Shanghai.

Laid out in a grid of tree-lined streets and intersecting canals, Suzhou has long been seen as a city of artists, scholars and affluent merchants. The old quarter is hemmed in by a protective moat measuring two by three miles, and to a great extent the city has retained its historic charm.