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| Suzhou,
the silk hand embroidery city of China, is one of the oldest cities in the Yangtze Basin in
China and rich
in its natural and man resources. It has been praised as 'a
paradise on Earth'
since ancient time. It grew rapidly as a center of shipping
and storage with the completion of the Grand Canal in 609 AD. |
| Marco
Polo visited Suzhou in 1276, described it as 'great'
and 'noble'.
By the 14th century, Suzhou was China’s leading
silk producer. The wealthy inhabitants in this time built many
gardens, of which over 100 survive. Many of them are already
listed as a world cultural heritage by the UNESCO. |
| The
elegant classical gardens, the old-fashioned houses and
delicate bridges hanging over flowing waters in the
drizzling rain, the numerous scenic spots and historic
sites, the exquisite arts and crafts, and the notably
soft dialect have made Suzhou a renowned historic and
cultural city full of poetic charm.
Famous
local handicrafts include silk
hand embroidery, silk double sided embroidery, silk brocade and sandal wood
fans. |
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