Quaint Suzhou beats metropolitan Shanghai for giving travellers high levels of satisfaction after a tourist visit.
Suzhou scored a high of 86/100 in terms of good overall urban transportation, sanitation, availability of tourist services, retail, dining and entertainment.
Dubbed as the "Venice of the Orient", Suzhou is famous for its arching canals over snaking rivers, and sprawling gardens, so beautifully manicured it has become a UNESCO Heritage Site.
10. Chongqing
Chongqing is one of the major cities in southwest China that is known for its long history, beautiful scenery and spicy cuisine.
9. Wuxi, Jiangsu province
Split in half by Taihu Lake (China's second largest fresh water lake), Wuxi is known as the "pearl on Taihu Lake." A major rice markets in earlier days, it is now the second largest city in Jiangsu. The people of the city are known for their extraordinary kindness.
Split in half by Taihu Lake (China's second largest fresh water lake), Wuxi is known as the "pearl on Taihu Lake." A major rice markets in earlier days, it is now the second largest city in Jiangsu. The people of the city are known for their extraordinary kindness.
8. Hangzhou, Zhejiang
The capital city of Zhejiang has been dubbed as "Paradise under Heaven". It is known for its resplendent scenery, historical relics, fine silk and Longjing tea.
The capital city of Zhejiang has been dubbed as "Paradise under Heaven". It is known for its resplendent scenery, historical relics, fine silk and Longjing tea.
7. Ningbo, Zhejiang
A seaport city in northeast of Zhejiang province, just south of Hangzhou Bay, facing the East China Sea to the east. It is one of the famous cultural cities in China, with a history dating back to the Hemudu culture in 4,800 B.C. It is a key trading link on the Silk Road 2,000 years ago; today is it one of the three major business centres in Zhejiang.
A seaport city in northeast of Zhejiang province, just south of Hangzhou Bay, facing the East China Sea to the east. It is one of the famous cultural cities in China, with a history dating back to the Hemudu culture in 4,800 B.C. It is a key trading link on the Silk Road 2,000 years ago; today is it one of the three major business centres in Zhejiang.
6. Xiamen, Fujian
In 2006, the city was ranked as China's second "most suitable city for living", as well as China's "most romantic leisure city" in 2011.
5. Chengdu, Sichuan
The Sichuan capital is one of the most important economic, transportation, and communication centre in Southwest China. Also famous for its hot and spicy cuisine, the city was named City of Gastronomy by UNESCO in 2010.
4. Nanjing, Jiangsu
The eastern city of China has a unique culture and amazing night lights. Do not leave without checking out the night lights at Qin Huai River.
The eastern city of China has a unique culture and amazing night lights. Do not leave without checking out the night lights at Qin Huai River.
3. Huangshan, Anhui
Huangshan Mountain is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as well as a World Geopark. Its features "four wonders" of imposing peaks, spectacular rocks, odd-shaped pines and a sea of clouds.
Huangshan Mountain is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as well as a World Geopark. Its features "four wonders" of imposing peaks, spectacular rocks, odd-shaped pines and a sea of clouds.
2. Shanghai
A vibrant city where East meets West in a cosmopolitan blend of traditional and modern cultures.
The Pudong skyline, featuring a number of mega skyscrapers including the symbolic Oriental Pearl Tower, the Jin Mao Tower, the Shanghai World Financial Center and upcoming the 632-meter Shanghai Tower.
A vibrant city where East meets West in a cosmopolitan blend of traditional and modern cultures.
The Pudong skyline, featuring a number of mega skyscrapers including the symbolic Oriental Pearl Tower, the Jin Mao Tower, the Shanghai World Financial Center and upcoming the 632-meter Shanghai Tower.
1. Suzhou, Jiangsu
With rivers and canals running through the city, is it no wonder Suzhou has been dubbed, the "Venice of the Orient."
With rivers and canals running through the city, is it no wonder Suzhou has been dubbed, the "Venice of the Orient."
Suzhou: Heaven on earth
Women in colourful traditional costumes prepare to take part in a parade, part
of a fair to promote alcoholic beverages.
The Ruiguang Pagoda at Panmen Gate stands 43.2 metres tall and is known as the Pagoda of Auspicious Light. It was built during the Three Kingdoms Period.
Suzhou is famous for the waterways and canals that run through the city. This picturesque example is near the Heng Jie Market.
It is the hometown for Xi Shi, one of the Four Beauties of Ancient China, and Suzhou has no lack of modern beauties, either.
It is the hometown for Xi Shi, one of the Four Beauties of Ancient China, and Suzhou has no lack of modern beauties, either.
Suzhou is full of smiles, and 80-year-old temple worker Han Chow Yun flashes a brilliant one.
The skilled hand of calligrapher Yan Lisheng glides in a studio off a street in Suzhou's old city
The beautiful gilded statue of Buddha at Ding Hui Temple is a picture of tranquillity.
A lion-head door knocker graces one of the doors of the impressive Xu Gate.
Wu Zixu was an army chief, strategist and urban planner in ancient Suzhou 2,500 years ago.
Text and photos: Michael Paul Franklin
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