Suzhou projects its allure abroad

Jiangsu province's Suzhou has long been a celebrated national destination and, increasingly, an international attraction, in no small part because of concerted efforts to draw overseas globetrotters.

The number of annual visitors from abroad has continued to increase since 2014. Over 2 million arrived last year, 6 percent more than in 2016, the city's tourism bureau's deputy director Lu Feng says.

About 1.76 million spent at least a night in the city in 2017.