Located on the shore of Taihu Lake in southeast Jiangsu Province, Suzhou, known as a" paradise on earth," is a renowned historical and cultural city with a history of more than 2,500 years. Suzhou is known primarily as the Venice of the East and the City of Gardens. It has remains of the city wall (including land and water gates), old-style houses (with tile roofs and white-washed walls) lining the canals, as well as temples, pagodas, and gardens of special historical interest.