Suzhou is among the first batch of Chinese cities officially titled "national historical and cultural city" and a key scenic touristic city. The history traces its beginning over 2500 years ago. The city is located on the same site as in the Spring and Autumn period, where He Lv, the king of Wu State, had the city built in 514 BC. Streets and buildings were built alongside both sides of the rivers, the layout of the city looks like a double chessboard, which has been preserved till today. The river network of Suzhou has a "one ring circling three horizontal and vertical rivers" pattern. Bridges crossing rivers, buildings with white walls and black tiles, famous gardens full of historical traces, all of which together give Suzhou a unique, picturesque view.
Nine Classical Gardens of Suzhou and the Suzhou section of the Grand Canal are inscribed on the World Cultural Heritage List. Eight Items including the Kunqu Opera, Guqin art, the Suzhou Dragon Boat Festival customs, Song Brocade weaving, Suzhou tapestry method, traditional architectural craftsmanship of Xiangshan School, Biluochun tea production techniques and the Taohuawu Woodblock New Year Prints are included into the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
