Waterside scene

As a famous waterside city by Taihu Lake - the third-largest fresh-water lake in the nation - Suzhou features many lakes scattered throughout the city and is crisscrossed by rivers, with the Grand Canal flowing through it. Fully 42.5 percent of the city is covered with water.

Small rivers flow between venerable homes that have whitewashed walls and black tile roofs, forming many distinctive, deep and serene water lanes crossed by bridges of various design.

Clustered around the city, ancient towns such as Zhouzhuang, Tongli and Yongzhi rise beside the rivers and lakes. Their simple and peaceful streets are representative of "water cities" in the Yangtze River Delta.

Hanshan Temple

According to Buddhist legend, each layman has 108 types of annoyance each year, and each tolling bell can help people dispel one. Listening to 108 tolls of a bell on New Year's Eve is said to bring good luck and happiness in the coming year.

Hanshan Temple, 5 km west of Suzhou, was built during 502 to 519. One of the most famous temples in the city, it has the most worshippers, with Chinese people from other parts of the country, and foreigners making pilgrimages to pray for good luck.

On December 31 every year, thousands of tourists gather at the temple to listen to the requited 108 bell tolls.

The scene was described in a poem written during the Tang Dynasty: "Beyond the walls of Suzhou, Hanshan Temple rings bells, which reach my boat, breaking the midnight still."

In addition, tourists can appreciate lion dances, Pingtan storytelling, ballads and acrobatics, and taste delicious Suzhou snacks.