On September 19th, "Suzhou, China with Style" Tourism Salon sponsored by Suzhou Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism, organized by Tripadvisor, greets foreigners in Shanghai. The salon attracted nearly 50 foreigners and media at Tian Zi Fang, Shanghai, which the attendees gathered for cultural experience of Suzhou, a popular tourist destination in China. Two distinguished foreign travel experts shared their stories of Suzhou. Participants embraced in "Colorful Suzhou", and experienced Suzhou’s intangible cultural heritage through events such as the Kun Opera, Guqin (a traditional Chinese musical instrument) and Suzhou Embroidery.

Pictured: Almost 50 foreigners and media signed in the "Suzhou, China with Style" Tourism Salon at Tian Zi Fang, Shanghai.

Whether if it’s a pleasantly tranquil city by the waterside in East China, a landscaping city...in the interactive activity of "Colorful Suzhou", participants depicted Suzhou in their mind.

Pictured: The foreigners depicted Suzhou in their mind.

Garry, from Russia, is an advocate of "carpe diem". He spends everything on travel and his favorite place is Suzhou. He had many interesting encounters at Hanshan Temple and was obsessed by Suzhou Gardens. Suzhou’s autumn is decorated by Tianping Mountain’s red maple leaves; lively rockery of Lion Forest Garden; with views of streams flowing beneath bridges.

Tanya, from Ukraine, gave herself a Chinese name “Dong Danni”. She is an advertising professional and an expert in Suzhou cuisine. “Ukraine is all about dairy products.” Says Tanya. Suzhou local are experienced with culinary techniques such as stewing, simmering, steaming, braising, and frying. The goal is to prepare food without losing its natural flavor. She is also a fan of the bustling night market, where she heard vendors peddling in Wu Chinese (a local dialect).

Pictured: Garry from Russia shared traveling experience of his favorite place in Suzhou.

Suzhou, an open, diverse, and time-honored city, has been welcoming foreigners to visit and experience its charm. The Suzhou locals are part of the passed down thousand-year-old culture which makes this place remarkable.

Following the sharing session, was a feast for eyes and ears. The Kun Opera music along with its performer stepped onto the stage gracefully and performed the classic piece of from “The Peach Blossom Fan”; the Guqin melody reminisced the historical and prosperous Suzhou dating back a thousand years; and the unique Suzhou Embroidery impressed the participants with its ingenious craftship.

Pictured: onsite performance of Kun Opera

As the public recovers from the impacts of the COVID-19, attitude towards tourism has shifted from "retaliatory consumption" to "rational consumption". Individuals have less interest with overcrowded destinations and instead focuses more on travelling in pursuit of peace.

Suzhou itself is an embroidery blending tradition and contemporary. This ancient city with a history of 2500 years presents a revitalizing image. As a result, Suzhou has become the key driver for international tourists to visit China. In response to the post-pandemic recovery of the travel market and the "dual circulation" development request, Suzhou Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism have created the inbound tourism brand "Suzhou, China with Style" inspired by Suzhou’s specialty and its unique positioning as a city of prosperity, gardens, silk, workmanship and culture. Policies and incentives have been unveiled to encourage businesses to develop new inbound travel products, in order to work towards market recovery, and to seize opportunity to promote Suzhou as a "modern urban city with high quality of life".

The Suzhou Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism have partnered with Tripadvisor to help provide domestic and international travelers with information in different languages including local attractions, hotels, cultural experience & activities along with authentic tourist reviews.

Mr. Wang Rudong, Director of International Communication and Cooperation Department from Suzhou Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism, said, "Suzhou has 2 World Cultural Heritages – the Suzhou Gardens and the Grand Canal, 20 heritage sites, and 6 World Class Intangible Cultural Heritages. Suzhou was titled 'World Heritage City' and 'City of Crafts and Folk Arts'. For years, Suzhou was awarded with Tripadvisor’s Traveler’s Choice as one of the Top 10 Traveler’s Destinations in China, demonstrating Suzhou’s popularity among international tourists. Special travel routes have been promote recently, designed for in depth experience focusing on lifestyle and culture. For example, tourists can inscribe a tablet at the Suzhou Museum of Inscribed Stone Tablets, make a presentable frog in a cheongsam store or enjoy a Jiangnan style show inside the Suzhou Gardens to truly experience a typical day of the Suzhou locals. International guests, especially those in China, are encouraged to visit Suzhou, China with Style!

Pictured: Mr. Wang Rudong,  Director of International Communication and Cooperation Department, presented the speech of Suzhou's world heritages and welcoming international guests to visit Suzhou.

Suzhou is transforming itself from a traditional destination to a modern and international city, truly demonstrating Suzhou, China with Style. 

[Images via Tripadvisor]