Suzhou classic cultural tourism route

Sun Wu Cultural Route

 · Background
Written by Sun Wu, The Art of War is the earliest surviving military treatise of China, and has been translated into nearly 40 languages and distributed in over 150 countries and regions.
 · Contents
Sun Wu Memorial Park where Xiangcheng Sun Wu Cultural Day is held; Qionglong Mountain, the highest mountain in Suzhou and also where Sun Wu wrote The Art of War; Tiger Hill Scenic Area, with various attractions including Sun Wu Ancestral Hall, Sun Wu Pavilion, Sword Pond and the leaning Huqiu Pagoda.

Zheng He Yangtze River Cultural Route

 · Background
Zheng He, a Chinese mariner, explorer and diplomat in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), commanded seven expeditionary voyages from Liujia Port in Taicang, Suzhou to 39 countries and regions in Asia and Africa. After the Belt and Road Initiative was put forward, numerous overseas visitors have come to China and Suzhou via the Maritime Silk Road.
 · Contents
Taicang Zheng He Park, where the seven voyages commenced; Tianfei Palace, the only extant historical relic related to Zheng's voyages in Suzhou; Jiangtan Wetland Park, which is filled with the traditional culture unique to the Yangtze River basin; visiting Suzhou classical gardens, enjoying the ancient town area of Suzhou by boat, and listening to Kunqu Opera.

Ancient Town Cultural Route

 · Background
Ancient towns of Suzhou are important carriers of Jiangnan culture, witnessing the 2500-year history of Suzhou. Overseas visitors will have the chance to experience the water town life unique to Jiangnan.
 · Contents
Zhouzhuang Ancient Town, whose Twin Bridges are well-known around the world because of Hometown Recall, an oil painting by famous painter Chen Yifei; Zhouzhuang in All Seasons, a performance recreating the true life in water towns; Tongli National Wetland Park and Tongli Ancient Town, which showcase the new model of ancient town tourism; Xietang Ancient Town, where traditions and modernity integrate perfectly.

Guoyun Lou Book Collection Cultural Route

 · Background
Suzhou has been a major hub for writers and academics since ancient times. A total of 51 people from Suzhou gained the title of zhuangyuan (title conferred on the one who came first in the highest imperial exam), the most among all cities in the country. A famous private library in Jiangnan, Guoyun Lou houses over 800 books, including numerous unique copies.
 · Contents
Yiyuan Garden, the back garden of Guoyun Lou; Canglang Pavilion, famous for its 108 lattice windows; Guoyun Lou Exhibition Hall, where visitors can make ex libris themselves and appreciate ancient painting and calligraphy works as well as books; Suzhou Library, which has an architectural style of classical gardens; immersive plays in which visitors can experience the life of poets in the Tang Dynasty (618-907); Suzhou Municipal Center of Public Culture, where visitors can send creative postcards.

Kunqu Opera Cultural Route

 · Background
Kunqu Opera is hailed as the "ancestor of hundreds of operas," and is one of the oldest extant forms of Chinese opera. It was listed as the Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2001 and included in the List of Representative Works of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008.
 · Contents
Qiandeng Ancient Town, the birthplace of Kunqu Opera and where the former residence of Gu Jian, the originator of Kunqu Opera, and Yanfu Temple are situated; Kunqu Opera Teaching Institute, where visitors can watch Kunqu Opera performances in a classical garden; Kunqu Opera Museum, which showcases the past and present of Kunqu Opera; Jiangsu Suzhou Kunqu Opera Theater, where a youth version of Peony Pavilion is staged.