Natural Features

Suzhou is located beside Taihu Lake，and it is a fertile and scenic land with a subtropical monsoon climate，moderate with distinctive four seasons. Suzhou is a city of rivers and canals and also a city of gardens. Hence it is called the“Venice of the Orient" . Suzhou was first established in 514 BC and it was once the capital city of Kingdom cf Wu. King of Wu became the most powerful of the time because of the support of the mighty economy of the area. In Song， Yuan，Ming and Qing Dynasties，Suzhou boasted as the most abundant“land of grain and meat" of the nation and thus began from Song Dynasty the famous sayings that“Suzhou on earth matches paradise in Heaven" and“bumper harvests in Suzhou alone are enough for the whole nation"

Suzhou is the site of the prosperous Wu culture，and it has bred up a great many of scholars and high officials in all dynasties. When these scholars and high officials returned to their birthplace because of either retirement after ambition fulfillment or for hermitage due to disappointment，they would spend a great amount of money on gardens for literary cultivation in their senior years. Besides，the beautiful topography，gentle customs，and peaceful ife of Suzhou's also helped to promot the construction and advance of so many landscape gardens in Suzhou.

The Humble Administrator`s Garden，the largest，occupies four hectares. It was built in 1522 during the Ming Qynasty. Water accounts for three-fifths of its total area. All the major buildings face the water. Centering on the pool，bridges and corridors harmoniously link up isles，rockeries，pavilions and towers. The garden shows a natural and flowing artistic style.