Suzhou, originally known as "Wu" and later as "Wumen" and "Gusu", is situated in the southern Yangtze Delta with an area of 8848.4 square kilometers (14.2 square kilometers of which belong to the old city proper), and has a population of over 5.7 million. Covered with numerious lakes and waterways, including the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal passing through from north to south, the area is well known as a water country in the southern Yangtze Delta.

In 514 BC, King He Lu of Wu state built his capital here, and ever since then, the ancient city of Suzhou has remained on its original site for over 2,500 years despite the passages of time. To this day, The old city proper has retained the ancient form of double-line chessboard, with streets and canals going on parallel, and the sight of white walls and dark roof-tiles, and delicate bridges over flowing waters. In 1982, Suzhou was listed by the State Council as one of the first cities of historical and cultural importance, renowned at the national level.

Reputed as "paradise on earth", Suzhou has many scenic and tourist attractions. The expansive and charming Lake Tai, to the southwest of the ancient city, is a major national scenic zone, divided into 13 scenic areas, 8 of which are located within the boundaries of Suzhou, such as the tourist spots of East and West Dongting Hills, Tianping Hill, Lingyan Hill, Conglong Mountain, Tianchi Hill, and Dengwei Hill, etc., all with natural beauty and rich historical interest.

Apart from the elegant hills and waters, Suzhou is also famous for its elegant classical gardens, which number over 60 today. They are an integrated art of architecture, landscaping, trees and flowers, carving, and calligraphy and painting, etc. Among them, the Humble Administrator's Garden, the Lingering Garden, the Master-of-Nets Garden, the Mountain Villa of Secluded Beauty, have been listed as "World Cultural Heritage".

Scattered around the ancient city of Suzhou like lustrous gems in the Lake Tai Valley are a number of ancient towns: Zhouzhuang, Tongli, Luzhi, Mudu, Guangfu, and East Hill, which have maintained the original outlook of antiquity. The Towns of Zhouzhuang, Tongli and Luzhi are currently applying for the listing of World Cultural Heritage.

Suzhou is the cradle of Wu Culture, reflected in the art of Suzhou embroidery, painting, seal engraving, Kunqu Opera, Suzhou Ballad Singing, Suzhou Opera, cuisine, costume, and the local dialect, etc. A lot of luster has been added to the history of Suzhou by such great figures as Sun Wu, Lu Xun, Gu Yewang, Fan Zhongyan, Wen Zhenming, and Liu Yazi, etc.

Known since ancient times as "land of fish and rice", "home of silk", and "metropolis of arts and crafts", Suzhou is a land of plenty in the southern Yangtze Delta. With accelerated development since the reform and opening up, Suzhou has become an important economic center in the area south of the Yangtze, where external-oriented economy has become the mainstay of Suzhou's economy.