2. Classical Gardens of Suzhou

Suzhou in Jiangsu province is a city of rivers and canals and also a city of gardens. Hence it is called the "Venice of the Orient". The Ming and Qing dynasties between the 14th and 20th centuries were its prime periods of garden building, when at one time there were more than 200 private family gardens. A dozen of them are still in good condition today, including the top four classic gardens–the Fisherman's Net Garden, Lion Grove, Humble Administrator's Garden and Lingering Garden.