Why is the developed tourist city in Jiangsu not the provincial capital?

The four major first-tier cities in China are Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou. The first two are popular tourist cities.

So, do you know which cities the fifth and sixth cities are? They are also tourist cities.

According to the latest list of the top 50 cities with GDP in 2019, Chongqing ranks fifth with 2.3606 billion yuan, and Suzhou ranks sixth with 1.930 billion yuan, ranking in the over one trillion echelon. The performance was very impressive.

Suzhou is not a first-tier city, nor a provincial capital city, nor a municipality directly under the Central Government. With this achievement, people across the country will undoubtedly be impressed. Suzhou's ranking is not only higher than Nanjing, the capital of Jiangsu Province, but also higher than Chengdu, Wuhan, Hangzhou and other provincial capitals and the municipality Tianjin.

Suzhou has been the most developed tourist city in China since ancient times. To a certain extent, the development of Shanghai has been partly contributed by Suzhou, because many passengers who fly to Shanghai aim to go to Suzhou. travel.

As early as the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period BC, Suzhou was an important city in the Jiangnan region. In the Tang and Song Dynasties, it developed into a "powerful faction" of the Jiangnan urban agglomeration. Together with Hangzhou, it was called "Paradise on Earth", attracting many tourists. A large number of businessmen, literati and tourists from all over the world gathered.

Many tourists know Bai Juyi in the Tang Dynasty because he wrote "Song of Everlasting Sorrow". In reality, Suzhou people are grateful to Bai Juyi. When he was an official there, he ordered the digging of the Shantang River, which is seven miles long. , with the opening of this canal, many houses were built along the bank, and the streets became prosperous. Today, Shantang Street has become a must-visit landmark for foreign tourists. In addition to antique houses, ancient theaters, and the Tang Shaofu Baigong Temple, the Tiger Hill at the end of the street is also a famous scenic spot. It is a good place to find plum blossoms in the snow and seclusion in the bamboo forest.

Chaotian Pavilion is located at the Changmen Tourist Pier on Shantang Street. Nearby is Baigong Temple. This is a good place to enjoy the dusk and night views of Shantang Street. Some tourists who like photography rush there before dark. Set up a tripod on the other side of the river to capture the changes in light and shadow.

Chaotian Pavilion is not a historic site, but it has a strong Tang and Song style. The majestic and elegant pavilion style complements the Jiangnan buildings and antique cruise ships next to it. Looking at the scenery by the river, tourists feel like they are in ancient times.

Suzhou has many tourist attractions. Most tourists go to well-known gardens such as the Humble Administrator’s Garden and the Liuyuan Garden. If you like quietness, the Couple Garden located in Xiaoxin Lane, Neicang Street is a good choice. Although there are often tourist groups here for sightseeing, it is much quieter than the more well-known gardens.

The total area of ??the Couple Garden is about 8,000 square meters, which is considered medium-sized among Suzhou classical gardens. What makes this garden different from other gardens is that it faces the river on three sides, like a peninsula, and has piers on the north and south, showing the elegance of Jiangnan waterside homes.

The Coupling Garden has lush trees and winding paths. The peculiarity is the double garden structure, that is, a garden is built on both sides of the house. Even numbers are even, so it is named "Coupling Garden". The garden also symbolizes the couple joining hands in retreat, and the protagonist is Shen Bingcheng, the owner of the garden in the Qing Dynasty.

The best time to visit the park is when it opens in the morning or before it closes in the afternoon. There are not many tourists during these two periods.