Explore Suzhou: China’s Enchanting ‘Venice of the East’
‘Venice of the North’, ‘Venice of the East’, ‘The American Venice’. The magnificent Italian city draws constant comparisons worldwide, from Alesund in Norway to Melaka in Malaysia. However, if anywhere truly holds a candle to Venice, it may well be Suzhou in China. This ancient water town, west of Shanghai, features arch bridges and wooden balconies hanging above trickling, tinkling canals. Moreover, Marco Polo, the famed Venetian explorer, visited Suzhou in the 13th century, reportedly awed by its uncanny resemblance to Venice.