Local Area

Panmen Gate and Rui Guang Pagoda

Just a short walk behind Sheraton Suzhou Hotel & Towers takes you to Panmen Gate, the last vestige of Suzhou's ancient city wall with a long history of more than 2,500 years. On the way visitors can see howl local people live along the banks of the city's ancient waterway. Along with the Wumen Bridge and the Rui Guang (Auspicious Light) Pagoda, the entire area has been popularly known as "Three Scenes at the Panmen Gate".

Suzhou Gardens

The art of Suzhou gardens, started by the mandarin scholars in the Ming and early Qing Dynasties, is renowned in the world with the reputation that Suzhou gardens are the finest under the heaven. Among them, the Humble Administrator's Garden, the Lingering Garden, the Master-of-Nets Garden and the Mountain Villa of Kaleidoscopic Beauties are listed as World's Heritage by UNESCO. They are representatives of the charm, grace and history of this beautiful city.

The Humble Administrator's Garden

Built in the Ming Dynasty, the Humble Administrator's Garden is the largest of all classical gardens in Suzhou. It is centred upon the broad expanse of a lake with well-spaced buildings. The garden landscape and ponds are simple, extensive yet natural, possessing the traditional appearances of the Ming Dynasty.