More than half of American workers have let vacation days go unused in recent years, and Suzhou Tourism is encouraging these work weary individuals to take some much needed time off in 2019 and head to the "Venice of the East."
NEW YORK (PRWEB) January 29, 2019
According to the U.S. Travel Association’s Project: Time Off, more than half of American workers have let vacation days go unused in recent years and nearly a quarter of the nation hasn’t taken a vacation in more than a year. In light of this, January 29 has been designated as national Plan For Vacation Day, and Suzhou Tourism is encouraging work weary individuals to take some much needed time off in 2019 and head to Suzhou. There is no better place to relax and recharge than in the “Venice of the East” where visitors can spend their days meditating in Suzhou’s classical Chinese gardens, lazily floating along its tranquil canals, and strolling the cobblestone streets inside its historic city wall.
To help kickstart the travel planning process, Suzhou Tourism, in partnership with Finimize, has launched a social media sweepstakes to give consumers the chance to enter to win a trip to Suzhou including roundtrip economy airfare, three nights of hotel accommodations, ground transportation, and a guided city tour. During the duration of the sweepstakes, which is live now through 11:59pm EST on February 14, 2019, Suzhou Tourism’s social media channels will feature dedicated posts designed to educate travelers on the aspects of Suzhou that make it worthy of their vacation days. Travelers can enter the sweepstakes by visiting TraveltoSuzhou.com/vacationplanningsweepstakes.
Those eager to begin planning their trip to Suzhou should consider the following activities to soak in the city’s 2,500 years of history and make the most of their stay:
Suzhou’s Classical Gardens
Suzhou’s gardens are timeless marvels of poise, grace, and tranquility. Re-creations of nature in miniature, these precisely landscaped spaces are an inspirational and artful tapestry of quiet pavilions, fragrant flora, rippling ponds, and winding pathways. There are still more than 50 preserved gardens visitors can see, nine of which have been collectively designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site – The Humble Administrator’s Garden, The Lingering Garden, The Master of Nets Garden, The Mountain Villa with Embracing Beauty, The Canglang Pavilion, The Lion Forest Garden, The Garden of Cultivation, The Couple’s Retreat, and The Retreat & Reflection Garden.
Canals of Suzhou
Coined the Venice of China by Marco Polo, Suzhou is known for its crisscrossing canals, elegant stone bridges, grand lakes and tranquil rivers. An astonishing 42% of this city is covered by water, earning Suzhou a worthy comparison to its Italian counterpart. In Downtown Suzhou, a portion of the Gusu District is entirely bound by a large, rectangular canal. Known as the Weichang River or City Moat, nine east-west canals and 12 north-south canals exist within its boundaries. Along each passage lies a bounty of Suzhou’s rich culture and history. For a rare vantage of the ancient city and its labyrinth of canals, a Suzhou-style gondola tour on the Weichang River showcases sites including Panmen Gate and the Couple’s Retreat Garden.
Pinjiang Road
Set along a canal lined with whitewashed houses, tea houses, local cafes, and shops, this charming area offers visitors a glimpse into the daily life of Suzhou’s past. Visitors can take a leisurely stroll or enjoy a rickshaw ride down its pedestrian streets and alleyways.
Tiger Hill
Tiger Hill, a renowned scenic area, attracts visitors from far and wide who come to relax in its natural beauty and visit its historical sites. It is the final resting place of Hu Lu, founding father of Suzhou, and home to Cloud Rock Pagoda, a 7-story, 10th-century octagonal pagoda is built entirely of brick. Visitors should not miss the bonsai garden where they can learn how a bonsai master cultivates these intricately designed trees.
About Suzhou
Suzhou, the "Venice of China," is known for its elegant stone bridges, canals, flowing water, and noteworthy architecture. Located in the center of the Yangtze River Delta, approximately 60 miles west of Shanghai, Suzhou is one of the oldest cities in the Yangtze Basin dating back more than 2,500 years. The city boasts the beautifully manicured Classical Gardens of Suzhou, nine of which have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Each year, millions of tourists travel to Suzhou to experience the destination’s more than 400 attractions, ranging from pagodas and temples to historical districts and world-class museums. As the largest industrial city in China, Suzhou continues to develop, such as the Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP), which boasts five-star hotels, the iconic Lake Jinji, and China’s largest overwater Ferris wheel.
Travel to Suzhou is easily accessible via three convenient area airports with non-stop flights from North America: Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) offers bullet train service to Suzhou, which is approximately a 50-mile, 30-minute trip; Pudong International Airport (PVG) is approximately 65 miles from Suzhou, an hour and half drive; and Sunan Shuofang International Airport (WUX) is approximately 14 miles from Suzhou, a 30-minute drive. For more information on Suzhou please visit http://www.TravelToSuzhou.com and follow the destination on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.